1979 UCF Knights football team

The 1979 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) as an independent during the 1979 NCAA Division III football season. This was first varsity football team fielded by UCF. The Knights were lead by head caoch Don Jonas and played their home games at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, now known as Camping World Stadium in downtown Orlando.

1979 UCF Knights football
ConferenceIndependent
1979 record6–2
Head coach
Home stadiumFlorida Citrus Bowl Stadium
1979 NCAA Division III independents football records
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
Norwich      8 2 0
Maryville (TN)      7 2 0
Dayton      8 2 1
UCF      6 2 0
Albany      6 3 0
Catholic University      6 3 0
Salisbury State      6 3 0
Georgetown      5 3 0
Hofstra      5 3 1
Frostburg State      6 4 0
Saint Mary's      6 4 0
Brockport      5 4 0
Canisius      5 4 0
Duquesne      5 4 0
Rochester (NY)      5 4 0
Wagner      5 5 0
San Diego      5 6 0
Buffalo      4 5 0
Colorado College      4 5 0
Union (NY)      3 5 0
Saint Francis (PA)      2 6 0
DePauw      2 7 0
Cortland      1 9 0
Fordham      0 9 0

UCF played its first football game on September 22, against Saint Leo. The Knights proved victorious with a 21–0 shutout, and less than a week later, the Knights won their first home game by defeating Fort Benning, 7–6.[1] Jonas led the Knights to a 6–2 inaugural season, behind an average attendance of 11,240, including an NCAA Division III record crowd of 14,138 for the game against Fort Benning.[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. Jonas famously offered to take the head coaching position for no salary.[3]

Schedule

Florida Citrus Bowl, the Knights home field from 1979 to 2006.
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendance
September 22at Saint LeoSt. Leo, FLW 21–01,000
September 29Fort BenningW 7–614,138
October 13Maryville
  • Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
W 10–77,350
October 20at Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FLW 14–0500
October 27at PresbyterianL 0–483,800
November 3at Emory and HenryEmory, VAL 14–281,000
November 10Sewanee
  • Florida Citrus Bowl
  • Orlando, FL
W 24–010,111
November 17Morehouse
  • Florida Citrus Bowl
  • Orlando, FL
W 14–713,309

References

  1. "Finally, Gametime Arrives: Part 2 of 8 - The History of UCF Football". University of Central Florida Athletics Association. June 22, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  2. "Central Florida Game by Game Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  3. "The Birth of Saturday Knights Live: Part 1 of 8 - The History of UCF Football". University of Central Florida Athletics Association. June 16, 2007. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
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