Bellarmine wins ASUN, hands NCAA bid to Jacksonville State
CJ Fleming scored a career-high 27 points, Dylan Penn added 22 and Division I newcomer Bellarmine defeated Jacksonville 77-72 in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament, handing the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament to regular-season champion Jacksonville State.
UCF’s spring football game to host fans at 50% capacity
The University of Central Florida will still host its spring football game at the Bounce House with Knights taking the field in front of fans. [TRENDING: SpaceX aims to fly -- and avoid explosion | 4-year-old among 3 dead in I-95 crash | Thief pup gets new home]AdCurrent season ticket holders can claim tickets starting Monday. Season ticket members can claim tickets until April 6, or until 50% of seats in the stadium have been claimed. Students who’d like to attend the spring game will not need to claim tickets but instead will need to show their UCF ID at the entrance. Those interested in purchasing tickets or becoming a season ticket holder can head to UCFKnights.com.
One on one with new UCF football coach Gus Malzahn
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Gus Malzahn era is underway at UCF. Malzahn was hired as the 9th football coach in program history on Feb. 15. [TRENDING: SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites | Weekend vaccine events for OCPS employees | Family speaks after deadly shooting]The energized veteran head coach has plans to take the Knights to greater heights. Days before UCF opens spring practice, Malzahn sat down with news 6 Sports Director Jamie Seh, outlining his vision and looking back on the past. AdUse the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com 4pm Trending newsletter, sent every weekday.
UAE weapons show draws major deals, traders amid pandemic
(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)ABU DHABI – In spite of the surging coronavirus pandemic, major arms makers descended Sunday on a convention center in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, hoping to make deals with militaries across the Middle East. The UAE unveiled $1.36 billion in local and foreign arms deals to supply its forces with everything from South African drones to Serbian artillery. Significant national pavilions were absent, including the United States, the world’s largest arms exporter. Ad“The threats are obvious lately,” said Walid Abukhaled, CEO of Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company, a holding company owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund. “If Iran goes into a major rearmament program or starts to flex its muscles, that’s where missile defense and air defense systems come in,” he said.
‘It’s time to rise again:’ UCF announces Gus Malzahn as new head football coach
FILE - Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Auburn, Ala., in this Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida has struck a deal to make former Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn the Knights’ next head coach. He will replace Josh Heupel, who recently left to become the Tennessee Volunteers’ head coach, and he will be UCF’s ninth head football coach. Malzahn has been linked to the UCF job ever since the school hired athletics director Terry Mohajir, who worked with Malzahn at Arkansas State. Not only do I believe that he’s the best college football coach in state of Florida now, I believe he’ll put together one of the best staffs in America.
New Tennessee coach not deterred by NCAA investigation
New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel, left, shakes hands with University of Tennessee athletics director Danny White after being presented a jersey speaks during an introductory press conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. If anything, I was trying not to hire the coach from UCF.”White hired Heupel on Wednesday as Tennessee's 27th head coach and fifth coach, not counting interim or acting coaches, since the end of the 2008 season. Heupel said he wasn't deterred by the NCAA investigation that started with the firing of Tennessee's last coach, Jeremy Pruitt. “I believe in a very, very bright future for Tennessee football,” Heupel said. White was hired on Jan. 21 and his first job was to find a new coach.
UCF’s winningest head coach dies at 80
UCF’s winningest head coach Gene McDowell has died at the age of 80. QUINCY, Fla. – The University of Central Florida’s winningest head coach Gene McDowell has died at the age of 80. The university said McDowell died Tuesday morning in Quincy. [TRENDING: Great white shark bites boat in Florida | Orange County deputy’s TikTok videos under investigation | Governor touts vaccine rollout]In his run as head coach, UCF played in Division II, Division 1-AA and Division 1. The Waycross, Georgia native played college ball at Florida State University, where he was a linebacker and offensive guard.
UCF athletic director Danny White leaves for Tennessee
(AP Photo/Willie J. Allen Jr., File)ORLANDO, Fla. – UCF athletic director Danny White is leaving for the same position at the University of Tennessee. The hiring comes three days after Tennessee fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt and parted with athletics director Philip Fulmer. The White family will always be Knight fans!”#Tennessee announces Danny White as athletic director. UCF Athletics raised more than $35.5 million in gift commitments and $17.4 million in cash gifts during 2019-2020. Cartwright said UCF will begin a nationwide search for a new athletic director immediately.
UCF basketball game against Tulane postponed due to COVID-19 issues
ORLANDO, Fla. – The University Central Florida basketball game against Tulane has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues, the team announced on Twitter. [TRENDING: How to get vaccine in Florida | Could $600 checks grow into $2,000 payments? | Fla. child porn suspect had hidden bunker]The Knights announced the team will play later this week, UCF’s next game is on Saturday. The team has not announced a date for the game to be made up. UCF will play against South Florida at 7 p.m. on Jan. 2.
UCF accepts bid to play in bowl game Christmas week
All rights reserved)BOCA RATON, Fla. – The University of Central Florida has accepted a bid to play in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl. [TRENDING: ‘Christmas Star’ forming soon | This holiday drone light show is way COOL]The game will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 22 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton. @UCF_Football will play in the Boca Raton Bowl on December 22nd. “Our players and staff are excited to be in this bowl game. @UCF_Football will "likely face" an ACC opponent in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 22nd https://t.co/qtu7QkVrxz — Nathaniel Rivas (@nathanielrivas9) December 7, 2020Florida Atlantic defeated SMU 52-28 in the 2019 Boca Raton game.
Star quarterback McKenzie Milton announces transfer from UCF
ORLANDO, Fla. – UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton is transferring to another school, the star player announced in a video released Thursday. “I will be entering the transfer portal and playing my last year of college football elsewhere,” Milton said in an Instagram post. “I may be suiting up in different colors, but I’ll always bleed Black and Gold.”It’s not known where Milton will play next. In the video, Milton said leaving UCF is “one the hardest things for me to do.”“I’m trying to think of it more logically than emotionally,” he said. Milton thanked UCF Nation in his farewell video.
After much speculation, UCF Knight’s McKenzie Milton won’t play against USF
UCF came out on top 58-46 marking the Knight’s fourth straight win against the Bulls and evening the I-4 rivalry to 6-6. McKenzie Milton throwing long balls in early warmups #WarOnI4 pic.twitter.com/0FklMIgQ9m — Nathaniel Rivas (@nathanielrivas9) November 27, 2020“I definitely knew something was bad right away,” Milton told News 6 in 2019, a few months after the injury. However, Milton told News 6 he was confident he would return to play at the Bounce House again. “When that moment comes, and I definitely think it will, I’m going to soak it in,” Milton said in May. Milton could have another year to play for UCF if he chooses.
UCF Athletics’ financial game plan takes a $14.7 million hit due to COVID-19
ORLANDO, Fla. – The financial game plan for the athletic department of the University of Central Florida is taking a hit due to the coronavirus. School officials said they eliminated plans for hiring 32 full-time positions and 40 additional part-time football game day positions. UCF officials said they are close to hitting a $2 million goal on the Keep Charging on Fund, one million of it came from donated salaries from staff. School officials said they have accounted for a $10-11 million 2021 budget loss and projected a $12.7 million loss in revenue. UCF athletics is also facing $2 million in increased coronavirus related expenses for a total loss of $14.7 million.
UCF vs. Cincinnati: How to watch, stream, listen
All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida Knights will play in the team’s biggest game of the season against Cincinnati at the Bounce House at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Cincinnati is a 5.5-point Las Vegas favoriteWhat is the total for the game? Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Quint KessenichUCF is unranked and is 5-2 while Cincinnati sits as the No. Cincy trails the series 3-2, but the Bearcats defeated UCF 27-24 the last time the teams played against each other. UCF leads the nation in yards per game.
Dillon Gabriel leads Central Florida over Temple 38-13
Dillon Gabriel threw a pair of touchdown passes to Marlon Williams and Central Florida rolled to a 38-13 victory over Temple on Saturday night. Gabriel was 12 of 22 for 268 yards passing without an interception. Greg McCrae had touchdown runs of 7 and 1 yard, and Otis Anderson had a 14-yard scoring run in the first quarter. Tayvon Ruley ran 23 times for 90 yards for Temple (1-5, 1-5). Onasis Neely had a 5-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
UCF quarterback to enter transfer portal
ORLANDO, Fla. – UCF quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. announced he is stepping away from the Knights program and will enter the transfer portal. I Love You Knight Nation 🖤 pic.twitter.com/Xcm59PMWYe — Darriel Mack Jr ™ (@DJMactastic1) November 11, 2020Mack opted out of the 2020 season. Quarterback Darriel Mack Jr was named Most Outstanding Player by throwing for 348 yards and accounting for SIX touchdowns! #AmericanPow6r pic.twitter.com/CiEh9HLD1o — American Football (@American_FB) December 2, 2018Mack was the quarterback for UCF in the team’s 56-41 American Athletic Conference Championship win against Memphis. He threw for 348 yards, threw for two touchdowns, and rushed for six touchdowns.
UCF vs. Temple: How to watch, stream, listen
All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida will host the Temple Owls at the Bounce House at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. UCF is a 24-point Las Vegas favoriteWhat is the total for the game? The total is set at 75.5UCF is 4-2 on the year and Temple is 1-4 this season. Central Florida averages 652 yards a game. Temple is 2-5 against UCF in the series.
UCF dismisses 4 players from football team
ORLANDO, Fla. – University of Central Florida head football coach Josh Heupel announced Wednesday four players have been dismissed from the team. “As of today, there are some young men who are no longer part of our football program. Three other UCF players were in the car at the time, according to the incident report. The university has not identified the players dismissed from the team. Coach Heupel did not say why the players were dismissed from the team.
Gabriel leads potent UCF offense past Houston 44-21
HOUSTON – Dillon Gabriel passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns, UCF rushed for another 300-plus and the balanced, high-octane offense swamped Houston 44-21 on Saturday. Gabriel, who leads the nation in yards passing per game, was 19 of 33 for 328 yards with a pair of TD passes to Ryan O'Keefe. Houston (2-2, 2-1) lost for the first time in conference with Clayton Tune throwing two interceptions that resulted in 14 UCF points. Tune was 21-of-41 passing for 263 yards and a touchdown. Tune capped a quick, 82-yard fourth-quarter drive with a touchdown toss and two-point conversion pass, closing to 37-21 with 4:17 remaining.
‘We have to be better than that:’ UCF coach responds after player arrest
Three other UCF players were in the car, according to the incident report. “I want to make it abundantly clear that the behavior of some of our football players last Thursday was completely inappropriate. That’s not us, that’s not UCF, that’s not UCF Football, and we have to be better than that,” UCF coach Josh Heupel said in a statement. Records show Collier told the investigator he had a gun underneath his seat, which he was told to leave in that location. As of Thursday, Collier is in the middle of an interim suspension process from UCF, according to the report.
UCF vs. Houston: How to watch, stream, listen
Quarterback Dillion Gabriel leads the nation in passing yards and wide receiver Marlon Williams is the league leader in receiving yards. Gabriel’s best game was against Memphis, he threw for 601 yards, threw 5 touchdowns, and rushed for a touchdown. Williams has 54 catches, 753 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in five games this year. Williams has posted 98+ receiving yards in each game this year and has caught 9 or more balls in each one this season. He’s not the only UCF receiver to have a great year, Jaylon Robinson has 602 receiving yards this season.
UCF’s offense features leading passer and receiver in the nation
Quarterback Dillion Gabriel leads the nation in passing yards and wide receiver Marlon Williams is the league leader in receiving yards. Gabriel’s best game was against Memphis, he threw for 601 yards, threw 5 touchdowns, and rushed for a touchdown. Williams has 54 catches, 753 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in five games this year. Williams has posted 98+ receiving yards in each game this year and has caught 9 or more balls in each one this season. He’s not the only UCF receiver to have a great year, Jaylon Robinson has 602 receiving yards this season.
SpaceX launch fitting kick off for UCF Knights Space Game
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Did a little rocket fuel help propel the University of Central Florida Knights football team to win the annual Space Game? A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket could be seen soaring over the UCF Bounce House stadium late Saturday morning just hours before the Knights host Tulane University for its Space Game. A little rocket power might have helped UCF’s top-ranked offense roll in a 51-34 victory over Tulane on Saturday. A rocket launch is the cherry on top of a special game day. Watch the launch from the stadium below:Get the full game recap here.
Gabriel throws 5 more touchdown passes in UCF’s 51-34 win
ORLANDO, Fla. – Dillon Gabriel threw five touchdown passes — three to Marlon Williams — and UCF’s top-ranked offense rolled in a 51-34 victory over Tulane on Saturday. Gabriel was 26-of-40 passing with 422 yards a week after throwing for a school-record 601 yards that included five touchdowns in a 50-49 loss to Memphis. UCF came in averaging over 636 yards offense, tops in the nation. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for UCF, its longest since 2016. Michael Pratt was 14 of 24 for 215 yards passing, three touchdowns and an interception for the Green Wave (2-4, 0-4), who have lost three straight.
UCF vs. Tulane: How to watch, stream, listen
All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida will host Tulane at 2 p.m. on Saturday. ESPN.com[TRENDING: Woman on Delta flight punches attendant over mask | Disneyland blasts state’s guidance over closure]Who are the announcers for the game? UCF is a 19.5-point Las Vegas favoriteWhat is the total for the game? The Knights have lost its last two games, on Oct. 3 Tulsa defeated UCF 34-26, and last week Memphis defeated Central Florida 50-49. The Knights have defeated Tulane every time the game is in Orlando.
McKenzie Milton takes snaps with UCF scout team, according to report
ORLANDO, Fla. – University of Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton is playing with the scout team, according to a report from ESPN. This is a big step for Milton as he continues to recover from the leg injury he sustained in 2018. The UCF quarterback also told ESPN he can make throws on the move. [RELATED: Faith plays pivotal role in McKenzie Milton’s recovery]Back in August, Milton told ESPN his surgeon in Minneapolis said he would be able to play football again. He went from almost losing his right leg to hitting the leg press machine six weeks later.
White’s 6th TD pass caps record comeback over UCF, 50-49
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Brady White's sixth touchdown pass with just over a minute remaining completed a school-record 21-point comeback and the Tigers beat UCF 50-49 on Saturday to snap a 13-game losing streak to the Knights. On the Tigers' winning drive, a shovel pass to Tahj Washington on fourth down went for 52 yards to the UCF 5. UCF led 27-14 at halftime, had a 21-point lead early in the third quarter and led 35-29 entering the final quarter during which the teams combined for five touchdowns. UCF outgained Memphis 798-703 for 1,501 yards offense combined, eclipsing the conference record of 1,479 set by the same teams in a 2017 game. The teams combined for 191 plays.
UCF vs. Memphis: How to watch, stream, listen
All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida Knights will play against the Memphis Tigers at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. UCF is 2-1 and Memphis is 1-1. The Knights last played on Oct. 3 and Tulsa was able to defeat UCF 34-26. Mark Jones, Roddy Jones, Paul CarcaterraWhich team is favored to win the game? UCF is a 3.5-point Las Vegas favoriteWhat is the total for the game?
UCF basketball player will not play this season due to underlying condition
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – University of Central Florida forward Collin Smith said he will not play in the upcoming college basketball season amid the coronavirus pandemic due to an underlying condition. “I know that isn’t easy to hear because it isn’t easy for me to say,” Smith told UCF fans on Twitter. Smith said despite not playing in the upcoming season, he will be one of the team’s biggest fans. Smith has started in 62 games the past two seasons. Details of UCF’s basketball season has not been released at this time.
Tulsa snaps No. 11 UCF’s 21-game home winning streak, 34-26
Tulsa players pose on the middle of the field after a win over Central Florida during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. Tulsa's win snapped UCF's 21-game home winning streak. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)ORLANDO, Fla. – There is something about UCF that brings the best out of Tulsa. Zach Smith threw three touchdown passes and Tulsa erased an 18-point first-half deficit to beat No. 11 UCF 34-26, snapping the Knights' 21-game home winning streak Saturday night. “Turnovers were huge in the football game,” UCF coach Josh Heupel said.
UCF Knights play Tulsa with new coronavirus rules for fans
ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida kicked off their first home game of the season Saturday with fans following new rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The UCF Knights played the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes in a reduced capacity Bounce House. [TRENDING: Latest updates: Trump, first lady test positive for coronavirus | Tropical Storm Gamma forms in Caribbean, heavy rain coming to Central Florida | Cam Newton reportedly tests positive for COVID-19]“I’m just excited to watch some college football,” said Richard Hayes, a UCF graduate. According to UCF Athletics, the rules fans must follow during the games include:Reduced capacity to 25%, which is about 11,000 fans. Fans must wear masks and stay socially distant.
UCF vs. Tulsa: How to watch, stream, listen
All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida will host Tulsa in the Knights' first home game of the year on Saturday. UCF officials said about 11,000 fans will be allowed to attend the noon game. Dillon Gabriel is off to a great start to the season, the UCF quarterback has thrown for 825 yards, 8 touchdowns, and one pick. Tulsa leads the series at 8-3, the last time UCF defeated Tulsa was on Nov. 14, 2014. UCF is a 21.5-point Las Vegas favoriteWhat is the total for the game?
Gabriel, No. 13 UCF beat East Carolina 51-28 in AAC opener
Gabriel threw for 408 yards and four touchdowns to help UCF beat East Carolina 51-28 on Saturday, winning its American Athletic Conference opener for the fifth straight season in a game marked by the Knights' offensive brilliance and its early trouble with pre-snap penalties. “You never play a perfect game but we came out (and) we put 51 points up,” Gabriel said. UCF (2-0, 1-0) rolled to 632 total yards after amassing 660 in its opener, getting huge performances from receivers Jaylon Robinson and Marlon Williams. But there were also 19 penalties for 139 yards, 10 coming in the opening quarter with seven of those false-start flags. Going back to last week's Georgia Tech win, UCF has committed 14 false-start penalties this season.
UCF vs. ECU: How to watch, stream, listen
UCF defeated Georgia Tech 49-21 in the first game of the season. Dillon Gabriel threw four touchdowns in the game and Marlon Williams had two touchdowns with 154 receiving yards in the season opener. This will be the first game of the season for ECU. Dave Pasch, Mike Golic, Paul CarcaterraWhich team is favored to win the game? UCF is a 27-point Las Vegas favoriteWhat is the total for the game?
UCF vs. Georgia Tech : How to watch, stream, listen
All rights reserved)UCF is going to start the 2020 season against Georgia Tech at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Head Coach Josh Heupel is going into his third season with the Knights, he is 22-4 with the team. Georgia Tech is not ranked at the moment, but the Yellow Jackets did get a win against Florida State this past Saturday. The Yellow Jackets outscored FSU 16-3 in the second half. Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy, Marty SmithWhat is the total for the game?
UCF set to have 4 home football games with fans
ORLANDO, Fla. The University of Central Florida is set to have four homes with fans this fall. The stadium will be at 25% capacity, this means about 11,000 fans will be allowed at games this year. With fewer fans at games this year, the university said it will lose a projected $10-14 million. The school noted there is also a projected $2 million loss because of additional COVID-19 expenses. The school set up a fundraising campaign to meet the losses from this season.
No Knight Walk at UCF home opener as school announces safety measures
All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. – The Knight Walk at the University of Central Florida will not take place during the team’s home opener against Tulsa on Oct. 3. The tradition allows fans to cheer on UCF players as the team steps off the bus and head toward the stadium. On Tuesday, the school announced safety measures to be put in place. Fans will not be allowed to move from zone to zone during the game, each area will have adequate restrooms and concessions, according to UCF. Knight Walk, Tailgate Concert Series, March to Victory and the Kids Zone will not take place this season.