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2024 UCF Knights football team

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2024 UCF Knights football
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Record4–6 (2–5 Big 12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Harris Jr. (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorDarin Hinshaw (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread option
Defensive coordinatorAddison Williams (1st season)
Base defense4–3 or 4–2–5
Home stadiumFBC Mortgage Stadium
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
2024 Big 12 Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 9 BYU   6 0     9 0  
No. 20 Colorado   5 1     7 2  
Arizona State   4 2     7 2  
No. 17 Iowa State   4 2     7 2  
No. 19 Kansas State   4 2     7 2  
West Virginia   4 2     5 4  
TCU   4 3     6 4  
Texas Tech   4 3     6 4  
Baylor   3 3     5 4  
Cincinnati   3 3     5 4  
Houston   3 3     4 5  
Kansas   2 4     3 6  
UCF   2 5     4 6  
Arizona   1 5     3 6  
Utah   1 5     4 5  
Oklahoma State   0 7     3 7  
Championship: December 7, 2024
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 10, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings

The 2024 UCF Knights football team represents the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They are led by Gus Malzahn in his 4th year as their head coach. The Knights play their home games at FBC Mortgage Stadium located in Orlando, Florida.

After eight games, on October 28, defensive coordinator Ted Roof was fired.[1] Starting with the game against Arizona on November 2, assistant Addison Williams was promoted to defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. was named offensive play-caller.[2]

Offseason

[edit]

Transfers

[edit]

Incoming

[edit]
Player Position Previous school
Ja'Varrius Johnson WR Auburn
Mac McWilliams DB UAB
Keegan Smith IOL Central Michigan
Sheldon Arnold II DB ETSU
Jacoby Jones WR Ohio
Peny Boone RB Louisville
Jacurri Brown QB Miami
Tre'Quon Fegans DB USC
Jack Bernstein LS Georgia State
Nyjalik Kelly DE Miami
Cedrick Hawkins S Ohio State
Evan Morris TE Michigan State
KJ Jefferson QB Arkansas
Ladarius Tennison STAR Ole Miss
Ethan Barr LB Vanderbilt
Jesiah Pierce LB Texas Tech
Antoine Jackson DB East Carolina
Xe'ree Alexander LB Idaho
Jabari Brooks OL Samford
Myles Montgomery RB Cincinnati
Daylon Dotson DE UT Martin
DeShawn Pace STAR Cincinnati
Byron Threats S Cincinnati
Wes Dorsey OL Western Kentucky
Reece Adkins TE Eastern Kentucky
Zavier Carter DE UNLV
Goldie Lawrence WR Florida State

Outgoing

[edit]
Player Position Destination
Xavier Williams DB Middle Tennessee
Zavier Carter DE TBD
Jason Duclona DB Liberty
Ja'Maric Morris DB Georgia State
Stephen Martin WR Samford
Goldie Lawrence WR Florida A&M
Nikai Martinez DB Michigan State
Timmy McClain QB Arkansas State
Josh Celiscar DE Texas A&M
Jarvis Ware DB UNLV
KD McDaniel DE Georgia State
Dallaz Corbitt DE Bethune–Cookman
Kervins Choute DT UConn
Isaiah Paul LB TBD
Amari Johnson WR Florida A&M
Corey Thornton DB Louisville
Keenan Cupit LB TBD
Tyler Griffin WR ULM
Jaylon Griffin WR Texas State
Jordan McDonald RB Boston College
Drake Metcalf IOL Virginia
Gunnar Smith QB Highland CC
Fred Davis II DB Jacksonville State
Demarkcus Bowman RB TBD

Preseason

[edit]

Spring game

[edit]

The 2024 UCF spring exhibition game was played on Friday April 12 at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The team was split into two squads for gameplay, the Knights and the 'Nauts. Two 12-minute halves were followed by a series of player skill challenges. Quarterback KJ Jefferson threw for 271 yards and two touchdown passes.[4]

Date Time Spring Game Site Result
April 12 7:00 pm Knights vs. 'Nauts FBC Mortgage StadiumOrlando, FL 26-7 'Nauts

Big 12 media poll

[edit]

The preseason poll was released on July 2, 2024.[5]

Big 12
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Utah 906 (20)
2 Kansas State 889 (19)
3 Oklahoma State 829 (14)
4 Kansas 772 (5)
5 Arizona 762 (3)
6 Iowa State 661
7 West Virginia 581
8 UCF 551
9 Texas Tech 532
10 TCU 436
11 Colorado 400
12 Baylor 268
13 BYU 215
14 Cincinnati 196
15 Houston 157
16 Arizona State 141
  • First place votes in ()

Award watch lists

[edit]

Eleven players were named to the Reese's Senior Bowl watchlist: RJ Harvey, Peny Boone, Deshawn Pace, Brandon Adams, Marcellus Marshall, Mac McWilliams, Malachi Lawrence, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, KJ Jefferson, and Ricky Barber.[6]

Player Position Award(s)
KJ Jefferson QB Maxwell Award
Davey O'Brien Award
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
RJ Harvey RB Maxwell Award
Doak Walker Award
Lee Hunter DT Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Outland Trophy
Chuck Bednarik Award
Lombardi Award
Xavier Townsend WR Paul Hornung Award
Kobe Hudson WR Fred Biletnikoff Award
Caden Kitler OL Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
William Wells S Wuerffel Trophy
Listed in the order that they were released

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 297:00 p.m.New Hampshire*ESPN+W 57–344,206
September 76:30 p.m.Sam Houston*
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
ESPN+W 45–1443,807
September 147:30 p.m.at TCUFOXW 35–3448,889
September 283:30 p.m.Colorado
FOXL 21–4845,702
October 57:45 p.m.at Florida*SECNL 13–2490,369
October 123:30 p.m.Cincinnati
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL (rivalry)
ESPN2L 13–1942,611
October 197:30 p.m.at No. 9 Iowa StateFS1L 35–3861,500
October 263:30 p.m.No. 11 BYUdagger
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
ESPNL 24–3742,144
November 23:30 p.m.Arizona
FS1W 56–1242,110
November 97:00 p.m.at Arizona StateESPN2L 31–3544,940
November 23 at West Virginia 
November 298:00 p.m.Utah
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
FOX

Game summaries

[edit]

vs. New Hampshire (FCS)

[edit]
Game One – New Hampshire Wildcats (FCS) (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wildcats (FCS) 0 3 003
Knights 6 23 28057

at FBC Mortgage StadiumOrlando, FL

  • Date: Thursday August 29, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 44,206
  • Referee: Cravonne Barrett
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Robert Lee (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
  • PreviewRecapGamecast
Game information
Statistics UNH UCF
First downs 9 27
Total yards 166 639
Rushing yards 71 454
Passing yards 95 185
Time of possession 30:27 29:33

UCF won their season opening game for the 9th consecutive season. The UCF offense put up 454 rushing yards, just 7 yards shy of the school record set in 1992. New quarterback KJ Jefferson had a shaky start, completing only 2 passes in the first half. But Jefferson eventually threw for 164 yards and two touchdown passes, and ran for a touchdown. RJ Harvey led the offense with 142 yards rushing, two touchdown runs, along with one reception for 8 yards. Leading 23–3 at halftime, the Knights put the game away with touchdowns on four consecutive drives in the third quarter.

vs Sam Houston

[edit]
Sam Houston Bearkats (1–0) vs UCF Knights (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bearkats 0 7 0714
Knights 14 10 14745

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. EDT; delayed until 7:02 p.m. EDT due to weather
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 43,807
  • Referee: Henry Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): James Westling (play-by-play) and Leger Douzable (analyst)
  • PreviewRecapGamecast
Game information
Statistics SHSU UCF
First downs 12 28
Total yards 286 554
Rushing yards 67 384
Passing yards 219 170
Time of possession 25:57 34:03

RJ Harvey rushed for 126 yards and four touchdowns as UCF defeated Sam Houston 45–14. UCF improved to 2–0 on the season and achieved their 200th Division I FBS game victory. The Knights offense racked up a total of 384 yards rushing, the second week in a row with a strong ground game output. The Knights defense forced two turnovers, plus the special teams unit recovered a botched punt attempt by the Bearkats at the 2 yard line.

Harvey's four rushing touchdowns tied a school-record, last achieved by Isiah Bowser in 2019. The Knights started the season 2–0 for third time in four seasons under head coach Gus Malzahn. For this game, the players' helmets featured decals designed by pediatric patients at the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, in honor of Pediactric Cancer Awareness month.[8]

at TCU

[edit]
UCF Knights (2–0) at TCU Horned Frogs (2–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 7 131535
Horned Frogs 14 7 10334

at Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX

  • Date: September 14, 2024
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 95 °F (35 °C)
  • Game attendance: 48,889
  • Referee: David Alvarez
  • TV announcers (FOX): Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst)
  • PreviewRecapGamecast
Game information
Statistics UCF TCU
First downs 30 26
Total yards 519 460
Rushing yards 289 58
Passing yards 230 402
Time of possession 32:54 27:06

UCF traveled to TCU for their Big 12 conference opener. The Knights erased a 21-point deficit and defeated the Horned Frogs by the score of 35–34. Quarterback KJ Jefferson threw for 230 yards and three touchdown passes, and also rushed for 46 yards. RJ Harvey rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns, as the UCF offense put up 289 yards rushing total. It was UCF's first intra-conference road victory against an existing Big 12 opponent (one that was a member of the conference prior to 2023).

TCU built a 14–0 lead in the first quarter, with two quick touchdown strikes by quarterback Josh Hoover. UCF's first quarter drives came up empty, with a three-and-out followed by a blocked field goal. The Knights got on the board on the first play of the second quarter, with a 29-yard touchdown pass to RJ Harvey. The Horned Frogs answered, and stretched their lead to 21–7. In the final minute of the second quarter, the Knights were driving deep into TCU territory. The TCU defense managed to keep the Knights out of the endzone, and UCF had to settle for a field goal attempt. Colton Boomer's 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked - his second block of the half - and TCU led 21–7 at halftime.

TCU got the ball to start the third quarter, and drove 75 yards in just four plays. Josh Hoover connected to Jack Bech for a 50-yard touchdown, and the Horned Frogs led 28–7, their largest lead of the night. The Knights, rallied, however, scoring touchdowns on their next three drives. With 13:38 left in regulation, TCU clung to a 31–28 lead.

TCU drove down inside the UCF 10 yard line with under 11 minutes left. On 3rd & Goal at the UCF 1, a costly false start penalty pushed them back to the 6. The UCF defense stiffened, and TCU settled for a field goal and a 34–28 lead. After a TCU three-and-out, UCF took over with 3:44 to go. KJ Jefferson drove the Knights 72 yards in 10 plays for the go-ahead score. Jefferson found Kobe Hudson for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 36 seconds left. Colton Boomer's extra point gave the Knights a 35–34 lead. TCU had one last chance, and managed to make it down to the UCF 40 yard line. Kyle Lemmermann's 58-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired, and the Knights secured the victory.

vs Colorado

[edit]
Colorado Buffaloes (2–1) vs UCF Knights (3–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buffaloes 14 13 14748
Knights 7 7 7021

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

Game information
Statistics COLO UCF
First downs 26 31
Total yards 418 461
Rushing yards 128 177
Passing yards 290 284
Time of possession 29:57 30:30

UCF hosted Colorado for their Big 12 intra-conference home opener, and the UCF main campus hosted Fox's Big Noon Kickoff pregame show.[9] The Buffaloes defeated the Knights 48–21 behind Shedeur Sanders' three touchdown passes. The Knights offense committed four turnovers in the loss.

at Florida

[edit]
UCF Knights (3–1) at Florida Gators (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 3 0 3713
Gators 7 17 0024

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL

  • Date: October 5, 2024
  • Game time: 7:45 p.m.
  • Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 90,369
  • Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
  • TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), and Tori Petri (sideline reporter)[10]
  • PreviewRecapGamecast
Game information
Statistics UCF UF
First downs 20 18
Total yards 273 359
Rushing yards 108 130
Passing yards 165 229
Time of possession 27:44 32:16

UCF faced Florida for the fourth meeting all-time. The Gators won the first two meetings at Gainesville (1999, 2006), and the Knights won the most recent meeting at the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl. This was the Knights' third and final non-conference game of the season. The Gators jumped out to a 24–3 lead in the first half, then held on for a 24–13 victory.

vs Cincinnati (rivalry)

[edit]
Cincinnati Bearcats (3–2) vs UCF Knights (3–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bearcats 3 7 3619
Knights 0 3 7313

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: October 12, 2024
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 42,611
  • Referee: Stephen Baron
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)
  • PreviewRecapGamecast
Game information
Statistics CIN UCF
First downs 19 19
Total yards 338 397
Rushing yards 97 196
Passing yards 241 201
Time of possession 33:44 26:16

UCF hosted rival Cincinnati. KJ Jefferson was benched during the week and freshman EJ Colson started at quarterback. Jacurri Brown eventually took over in the middle of the first quarter. The Knights fell 19–13 for their third straight loss.

at No. 9 Iowa State

[edit]
UCF Knights (3–3) at No. 9 Iowa State Cyclones (6–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 7 14 7735
No. 9 Cyclones 14 0 131138

at Jack Trice StadiumAmes, IA

  • Date: October 19, 2024
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 61,500
  • Referee: David Alvarez
  • TV announcers (FS1): Trent Rush (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analyst)
  • PreviewRecapGamecast
Game information
Statistics UCF ISU
First downs 14 28
Total yards 416 530
Rushing yards 354 256
Passing yards 62 274
Time of possession 22:32 37:28

After playing most of the game the week prior, Jacurri Brown started at quarterback. Brown struggled in the air, completing only 8 passes for 62 yards, and 2 interception. However, he had 154 yards on the ground, and two touchdown runs. The Knights offense, led by RJ Harvey, racked up 354 total yards rushing. The UCF defense made two interceptions - a 63-yard "pick-six" by Brandon Adams, and a 70-yard interception return by Braeden Marshall that led to a touchdown. The Knights were leading #9 Iowa State 35–30 on the road with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Rocco Becht then drove the Cyclones 80 yards in 11 plays, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 30 seconds left. The Knights fell to 3–4 on the season.

vs No. 11 BYU

[edit]
No. 11 BYU Cougars (7–0) vs UCF Knights (3–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 11 Cougars 7 17 10337
Knights 0 10 01424

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

Game information
Statistics BYU UCF
First downs 29 18
Total yards 483 379
Rushing yards 255 181
Passing yards 228 198
Time of possession 40:28 19:32

BYU built a 17–0 lead in the first half, and pulled away for a 37–24 victory. Jacurri Brown started at quarterback for the Knights, but was benched in the fourth quarter after throwing two interceptions and managing only 96 yards. Dylan Rizk came in at quarterback and drove the Knights for two late touchdown scores, but time ran out for any chance at a comeback.

vs Arizona

[edit]
Arizona Wildcats (3–5) vs UCF Knights (3–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 0 6 6012
Knights 14 21 14756

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: November 2, 2024
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C)
  • Game attendance: 42,110
  • Referee: Tutashinda Salaam
  • TV announcers (FS1): Dan Hellie (play-by-play) and Robert Smith (analyst)
  • PreviewRecapGamecast
Game information
Statistics ARIZ UCF
First downs 14 33
Total yards 261 602
Rushing yards 5 308
Passing yards 256 294
Time of possession 28:39 31:21

UCF hosted Arizona for the 8th annual Space Game. The Knights routed the Wildcats by the score of 56–12 to snap a five-game losing streak, and to improve to 8–0 all-time in the history of the Space Game. Redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk made his first start at quarterback, and threw for 294 yards and three touchdown passes.

RJ Harvey rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns, two in the first half. Harvey scored his first touchdown of the day on a 17-yard run in a heavy downpour. The play was set up by a Wildcats fumble one play earlier deep in their own territory. Harvey's second touchdown came in the second quarter, capping off a 99-yard drive which started inside their own 1 yard line. With UCF up 28–6 with 4 seconds left in the second quarter, Rizk connected to Randy Pittman Jr. for a 48-yard Hail Mary touchdown as time expired. The Knights took a 35–6 lead into halftime.

The Knights controlled the game from start to finish, racking up 602 yards on offense under new offensive play-caller Tim Harris Jr. The Knights defense, under new defensive coordinator Addison Williams, held the Wildcats to 5 yards rushing, sacked quarterback Noah Fifita five times, and forced a turnover.

at Arizona State

[edit]
UCF Knights (4–5) at Arizona State Sun Devils (6–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 000
Sun Devils 0 0 000

at Mountain America StadiumTempe, AZ

Game information
Statistics UCF ASU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Time of possession

at West Virginia

[edit]
UCF Knights (0–0) at West Virginia Mountaineers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 000
Mountaineers 0 0 000

at Milan Puskar StadiumMorgantown, WV

  • Date: November 23, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UCF WVU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
West Virginia Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Utah

[edit]
Utah Utes (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Utes 0 0 000
Knights 0 0 000

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: November 29, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UTAH UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Utah Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Awards

[edit]
Player Position Award(s)
KJ Jefferson QB Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year[11]
Week 3 — Manning Star of the Week[12]
Week 3 — Davey O'Brien Great 8 List[13]
Kobe Hudson WR Big 12 Preseason All-Big 12 Offense[11]
Lee Hunter DL Big 12 Preseason All-Big 12 Defense[11]
RJ Harvey RB Week 3 — Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week[14]
Week 3 — East–West Shrine Bowl Breakout Player of the Week[15]
Week 3 — Doak Walker Award National Running Back of the Week[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (October 28, 2024). "UCF fires defensive coordinator Ted Roof amid 5-game slide". Motorsport. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "UCF's Malzahn fires defensive coordinator, will no longer call offensive plays". Spectrum New 13. October 29, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "2024 UCF Football Transfer Portal". On3. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Wilson, Justin (April 12, 2024). "UCF Debuts 2024 Squad in Knights vs. 'Nauts Spring Football Game". UCFAthletics.com. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Utah Picked First in Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll". July 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "The 12th Annual Reese's Senior Bowl Watchlist". Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  7. ^ "2024 UCF Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Hooks, Kalan (September 6, 2024). "UCF, Arizona State lead Week 2 of college football uniforms". ESPN. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Boyle, Chris; Vinel, Chris (September 22, 2024). "FOX's Big Noon Kickoff will air from Orlando ahead UCF vs. Colorado Saturday". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  10. ^ UCF Pregame
  11. ^ a b c "Big 12 Announces Media Preseason Football Team" (PDF).
  12. ^ "Eight Quarterbacks Named Manning Award Stars of the Week". AllstateSugarBowl.org. September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Wilson, Justin (September 16, 2024). "Jefferson Named to Davey O'Brien Great 8 List, Manning Award Star of the Week". UCFKnights.com. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  14. ^ Wilson, Justin (September 16, 2024). "Harvey Tabbed Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week". UCFKnights.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "East-West Shrine Bowl". Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  16. ^ "Doak Walker Award". Retrieved September 17, 2024.