1979 UCF Knights football team

1979 UCF Knights football
Conference Independent
1979 record 6–2
Head coach Don Jonas (1st season)
Home stadium Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium

The 1979 UCF Knights football team was the first official varsity team fielded by the University of Central Florida. The Knights first head coach was Don Jonas. The Knights competed as an NCAA Division III Independent. The team played their home games at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, now known as Camping World Stadium, in downtown Orlando.

UCF played its first football game on September 22, 1979, against Saint Leo University. The Knights would prove victorious with a 21–0 shutout, and less than a week later, the Knights would win their first home game by defeating Ft. Benning, 7–6.[1] Jonas led the Knights to a 6–2 inaugural season, behind an average attendance of 11,240, including a Division III record crowd of 14,138.[1][2]

The humble beginnings for the Knights football team were exemplified during their inaugural season. The team had no locker room, the coaching staff was composed of volunteers, players were asked to bring their own cleats, and all equipment and supplies were donated. Practices took place on a driving range, and players had to go to a classroom building on campus to find showers. Head coach Don Jonas famously offered to take the position for no salary.[3]

Season schedule

Florida Citrus Bowl, the Knights home field from 1979 to 2006.
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
September 22 at Saint Leo St. Leo, Florida W 21–0   1,000
September 29 Fort Benning Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium • Orlando, Florida W 7–6   14,138
October 13 Maryville Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium • Orlando, Florida W 10–7   7,350
October 20 at Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida W 14–0   500
October 27 at Presbyterian Bailey Stadium • Clinton, South Carolina L 0–48   3,800
November 3 at Emory & Henry College Emory, Virginia L 14–28   1,000
November 10 Sewanee Florida Citrus Bowl • Orlando, Florida W 24–0   10,111
November 17 Morehouse Florida Citrus Bowl • Orlando, Florida W 14–7   13,309
All times are in Eastern Time.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Finally, Gametime Arrives: Part 2 of 8 - The History of UCF Football". University of Central Florida Athletics Association. 2007-06-22. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
  2. ↑ "Central Florida Game by Game Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-16. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
  3. ↑ "The Birth of Saturday Knights Live: Part 1 of 8 - The History of UCF Football". University of Central Florida Athletics Association. 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
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