2023 UCF Knights football
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Record6–7 (3–6 Big 12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDarin Hinshaw (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread option[1]
Defensive coordinatorAddison Williams (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorDavid Gibbs (3rd season)
Base defense4–2–5[1]
Home stadiumFBC Mortgage Stadium
2023 Big 12 Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Texas y$^  8 –1   12 –2  
No. 16 Oklahoma State y  7 –2   10 –4  
No. 15 Oklahoma  7 –2   10 –3  
Iowa State  6 –3   7 –6  
No. 18 Kansas State  6 –3   9 –4  
West Virginia  6 –3   9 –4  
Texas Tech  5 –4   7 –6  
No. 23 Kansas  5 –4   9 –4  
UCF  3 –6   6 –7  
TCU  3 –6   5 –7  
Houston  2 –7   4 –8  
BYU  2 –7   5 –7  
Baylor  2 –7   3 –9  
Cincinnati  1 –8   3 –9  
Championship: Texas 49, Oklahoma State 21
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by Gus Malzahn in his third year as the Knights head coach. The team played their home games at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

UCF officially moved into the Big 12 Conference for the 2023 season. In doing so, the Knights became the first NCAA football program to play at every sanctioned level: Division III, Division II, Division I-AA, Division I-A (Independent), Group of Five, and Power Five.[2]

In their first season as part of the Big 12, the Knights jumped out to a 3–0 start, including a last-second victory at Boise State. However, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee suffered an ankle injury in the final minute of the Boise State game, which would sideline him for a month. Redshirt sophomore Timmy McClain took over at quarterback as the Knights entered the conference portion of their schedule. In their first intra-conference home game, the Knights jumped out to a 35–7 lead over Baylor, but blew a 28-point lead, and lost 36–35. The Knights suffered a five-game skid, slipping to 3–5. With Plumlee back to full strength in November, the Knights won three of their last four games to finish the regular season 6–6 overall (3–6 in the Big 12), and became bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive season. Of the four newcomers that joined the Big 12 for 2023 (BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, the others), UCF finished with the best record, and was the only one bowl-eligible.

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

Player Position Destination
Mikey Keene QB Fresno State
Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste LB Ole Miss
Davonte Brown CB Miami (FL)
Philjae Bien Aime CB North Alabama
Ryan O'Keefe WR Boston College
Terrence Lewis LB Hutchinson CC
Trevion Shadrick-Harris CB Eastern Washington
Jordan Johnson WR Iowa Western
Ah'Mare Lee DB Florida A&M
Joey Gatewood WR Louisville
Karlis Bailey-Vice DE NA
Anthony Williams RB Stephen F. Austin
Andrew Osteen P Mississippi State
Matt Lee C Miami (FL)
Miguel Maldonado OL NA
Tommy Castellanos QB Boston College
Ethan Mort OL NA
Keahnist Thompson DL Weber State
Justin Hodges DB Arkansas State
Branden Jennings LB Hinds CC
Quan Lee WR Florida A&M
Jaden Francois DB Utah State
Will Bohn QB Southeastern

Incoming

Player Position Previous school
Timmy McClain QB South Florida
Trent Whittemore WR Florida
Chauncey Magwood WR Kentucky
Drake Metcalf IOL Stanford
Gage King LS Arizona State
Fred Davis II DB Clemson
Amari Kight OT Alabama
Marcellus Marshall OT Kent State
DeJordan Mask S Texas State
Jireh Wilson S East Carolina
Bula Schmidt IOL Fresno State
Decorian Patterson DB Middle Tennessee State
Rian Davis LB Georgia
Xavier Williams QB Charlotte
Isaiah Paul LB Washington State
Shaun Peterson DE FIU
Derrick LeBlanc DL Oklahoma
Corey Gammage WR Marshall
Gunnar Smith QB South Florida
Kriston Esnard PK Tulane

Preseason

Spring game

The 2023 UCF spring exhibition game was played on Friday April 14 at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The team was split into two squads for gameplay, the Knights and the 'Nauts.[5]

DateTimeSpring GameSiteResult
April 146:30 pmKnights vs. 'NautsFBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL43-42 'Nauts

Award watch lists

A total of eight players were named to the preseason All-Big 12 mentions,[6] and eight players were named to the Senior Bowl watchlist.[7]

Award Player Position Year
William V. Campbell TrophyJason Johnson[8]LBSr.
Polynesian Football Player of the Year AwardLokahi Pauole[9]OGSr.
Manning AwardJohn Rhys Plumlee[10]QBRedshirt Sr.
Chuck Bednarik AwardJason Johnson[11]LBSr.
Butkus AwardJason Johnson[12]LBSr.
Doak Walker AwardRJ Harvey[13]RBRedshirt Sr.
Ray Guy AwardMitch McCarthy[14]PSo.
Davey O'Brien AwardJohn Rhys Plumlee[15]QBRedshirt Sr.
Fred Biletnikoff AwardCorey Gammage[16]WRRedshirt Sr.
Lou Groza AwardColton Boomer[17]KSo.
Bronko Nagurski TrophyJason Johnson[18]LBSr.
Outland TrophyLokahi Pauole[19]OGSr.
Maxwell AwardJohn Rhys Plumlee[20]QBRedshirt Sr.
Listed in the order that they were released

Big 12 preseason poll

The Big 12 preseason poll was released on July 6.[21] UCF was voted 8th in the conference. First place votes in parentheses.

Big 12 media poll
Predicted finish Team Points
1Texas (41)886
2Kansas State (14)858
3Oklahoma (4)758
4Texas Tech (4)729
5TCU (3)727
6Baylor572
7Oklahoma State (1)470
8UCF463
9Kansas461
10Iowa State334
11BYU318
12Houston215
13Cincinnati202
14West Virginia129

Schedule

The 2023 season is UCF's first as a member of the Big 12 Conference.[22] The conference utilizes a nine-game conference schedule, with three out-of-conference games annually.[23] Furthermore, the conference requires at least one of the three out-of-conference games to be against a Power Five opponent.[24] UCF successfully petitioned for a first-year, one-time waiver to count their game at Boise State as their Power Five non-conference opponent, taking into account Boise State's recent successes and status as a top Group of Five team.[24]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 317:00 p.m.[25]Kent State*
FS1W 56–644,088
September 97:00 p.m.[25]at Boise State*
FS1W 18–1636,447
September 166:30 p.m.[25]No. 24 (FCS) Villanova*
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
ESPN+W 48–1444,206
September 238:00 p.m.[26]at Kansas State
FS1L 31–4451,912
September 303:30 p.m.Baylor
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
FS1L 35–3644,005
October 74:00 p.m.at Kansas
FOXL 22–5146,107
October 2112:00 p.m.at No. 6 Oklahoma
ABCL 29–3183,476
October 2812:00 p.m.West Virginiadagger
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
FS1[lower-alpha 1]L 28–4144,136
November 43:30 p.m.at Cincinnati
FS1W 28–2638,193
November 113:30 p.m.No. 15 Oklahoma State
ESPNW 45−344,046
November 185:30 p.m.at Texas Tech
FS2L 23−2453,851
November 2512:00 p.m.Houston
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
FS1W 27–1343,610
December 226:30 p.m.vs. Georgia Tech*
ESPNL 17–3030,281
  1. ↑ Partially aired on FOX as a look-in due to lightning delayed Oklahoma-Kansas game

Game summaries

Kent State

Kent State Golden Flashes at UCF Knights
Period 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 3 0 306
Knights 14 14 141456

at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

Game information
StatisticsKENTUCF
First downs1532
Total yards240723
Rushing yards95389
Passing yards145334
Turnovers13
Time of possession28:3431:26
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent StatePassingMichael Alaimo12–31, 145 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
RushingGavin Garcia18 carries, 45 yards
ReceivingChrishon McCray3 receptions, 61 yards
UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee22–30, 281 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RushingJohnny Richardson12 carries, 100 yards
ReceivingXavier Townsend5 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD

Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw for 281 yards and rushed for 90 yards as the Knights routed Kent State 56–6 on Thursday night. The game marked UCF's first football game as a member of the Big 12. The Knights won their 8th consecutive season opener.

at Boise State

UCF Knights at Boise State Broncos
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 3 6 0918
Broncos 7 3 0616

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

  • Date: September 9, 2023
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. MDT / 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 36,447
  • TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins and Devin Gardner
  • Gamecast
Game information
StatisticsUCFBSU
First downs2322
Total yards530384
Rushing yards258173
Passing yards272211
Turnovers21
Time of possession28:0331:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee16–24, 272 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
RushingJohn Rhys Plumlee11 carries, 73 yards
ReceivingKobe Hudson5 receptions, 134 yards
Boise StatePassingTaylen Green9–19, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingAshton Jeanty24 carries, 115 yards
ReceivingAshton Jeanty5 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD

Colton Boomer kicked a 40-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Knights over the Boise State Broncos by the score of 18–16. Boomer went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a school record-tying 55 yarder in the second quarter. Late in the game, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee suffered a leg injury which will require him to miss multiple weeks.[28]

No. 24 (FCS) Villanova

No. 24 (FCS) Villanova Wildcats at UCF Knights
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 24 (FCS) Wildcats 0 0 01414
Knights 17 17 7748

at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

  • Date: September 16, 2023
  • Game time: 6:30 pm EDT
  • Game attendance: 44,206
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Drew Fellios and Forrest Conoly
  • Gamecast
Game information
StatisticsNOVAUCF
First downs1131
Total yards228600
Rushing yards84251
Passing yards144349
Turnovers10
Time of possession27:0832:52
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VillanovaPassingConnor Watkins9-23, 144 yards, 1 INT
RushingDeewil Barlee7 carries, 39 yards
ReceivingJaylan Sanchez1 receptions, 45 yards
UCFPassingTimmy McClain20–28, 321 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
RushingR. J. Harvey14 carries, 85 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingKobe Hudson6 receptions, 147 yards

Timmy McClain started at quarterback for the injured John Rhys Plumlee. McClain threw for 321 yards, and the UCF offense racked up 600 total yards as the Knights soundly defeated FCS #24 Villanova by the score of 48–14.

at Kansas State

UCF Knights at Kansas State Wildcats
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 10 7 7731
Wildcats 7 14 101344

at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS

Game information
StatisticsUCFKSU
First downs1932
Total yards407536
Rushing yards143255
Passing yards264255
Turnovers21
Time of possession25:3734:23
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCFPassingTimmy McClain14-24, 264 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RushingJohnny Richardson6 carries, 76 yards
ReceivingKobe Hudson6 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TD
Kansas StatePassingWill Howard27-42, 255 yards, 1 INT
RushingD.J. Giddens30 carries, 207 yards, 4 TD
ReceivingD.J. Giddens8 receptions, 96 yards

UCF traveled to Kansas State for their first-ever intra-conference game in the Big 12. Timmy McClain once again started at quarterback, throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns. The Knights defense, however, could not contain the Wildcats offense, and lost by the score of 44–31. D.J. Giddens rushed for 207 yards and 4 touchdowns, and caught 8 balls for another 86 yards. The game was tied 24–24 midway through the third quarter, but Kansas State put the game away with 20 unanswered points. Ten penalties for 80 yards on UCF, two turnovers in Wildcats territory, plus a lopsided time of possession were factors in the loss.

Baylor

Baylor Bears at UCF Knights
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 0 32636
Knights 21 7 7035

at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

  • Date: September 30, 2023
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 44,005
  • Referee: Henry Johns
  • TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins and Devin Gardner
  • Gamecast
Game information
StatisticsBUUCF
First downs2218
Total yards446469
Rushing yards153235
Passing yards293234
Turnovers12
Time of possession35:3124:29
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
BaylorPassingBlake Shapen21-34, 293 yards, 1 INT
RushingRichard Reese16 carries, 100 yards
ReceivingMonaray Baldwin7 receptions, 150 yards, 1 TD
UCFPassingTimmy McClain13-25, 234 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingJohnny Richardson6 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJavon Baker3 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD

UCF hosted Baylor for their first intra-conference home game in the Big 12. The game was a rematch of the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. The Knights blew a 35–7 lead. Baylor scored a go-ahead field goal with 1:21 remaining and won 36–35. On the first play from scrimmage, Johnny Richardson broke free for a 79-yard touchdown run, and after two more quick scores, UCF jumped out to an early 21–0 lead. The Knights eventually built a 35–7 lead, which they held late in the third quarter. Baylor scored 29 unanswered points, including two touchdown passes from Blake Shapen, and a 72-yard fumble return for a touchdown. UCF got the ball back one last time with 1:21 remaining. Colton Boomer's 59-yard field goal attempt fell no good as time expired, and Baylor escaped with the victory.

at Kansas

UCF Knights at Kansas Jayhawks
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 81422
Jayhawks 3 21 131451

at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS

Game information
StatisticsUCFKU
First downs2125
Total yards371490
Rushing yards202399
Passing yards16991
Turnovers10
Time of possession25:3534:25
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCFPassingTimmy McClain12-15, 136 yards, 2 TD
RushingR. J. Harvey16 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJavon Baker4 receptions, 85 yards
KansasPassingJason Bean8-12, 91 yards, 1 TD
RushingDevin Neal12 carries, 154 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingLuke Grimm2 receptions, 41 yards

John Rhys Plumlee returned to start at quarterback, but played for only three drives in the first half. Timmy McClain took over and played the rest of the game. Kansas dominated UCF, jumping out to a 31–0 lead, and pulling away for a 51–22 victory. The Jayhawks put up 399 yards rushing, while UCF was held to a season-low 371 total yards.

at No. 6 Oklahoma

UCF Knights at No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 17 6629
No. 6 Sooners 7 10 01431

at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK

  • Date: October 21, 2023
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 83,476
  • Referee: Derek Anderson
  • TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch (play-by-play) , Dusty Dvoracek (analyst) & Tom Luginbill (sideline)
  • Gamecast
Game information
StatisticsUCFOKLA
First downs2030
Total yards397442
Rushing yards149189
Passing yards248253
Turnovers01
Time of possession30:1629:44
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee16–30, 248 yards, 2 TD
RushingR. J. Harvey23 carries, 101 yards
ReceivingJavon Baker5 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD
OklahomaPassingDillon Gabriel25–38, 253 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RushingMarcus Major18 carries, 82 yards
ReceivingNic Anderson5 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD

UCF traveled to Norman to take on Oklahoma. Facing former quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Knights nearly upset the No. 6 ranked Sooners. UCF led 23–17 after three quarters, before Oklahoma scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to take a 31–23 lead. John Rhys Plumlee, back in the starting lineup, drove the Knights 75 yards in 9 plays. On 4th & 10 at the Oklahoma 12, Plumee found Javon Baker for a 12-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 31–29 with 1:16 left in regulation. UCF's two-point conversion attempt was snuffed out, and the Sooners held on for the victory.

West Virginia

West Virginia Mountaineers at UCF Knights
Period 1 2 34Total
Mountaineers 10 7 71741
Knights 7 7 7728

at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

Game information
StatisticsWVUUCF
First downs2527
Total yards450463
Rushing yards286189
Passing yards164274
Turnovers14
Time of possession36:0623:54
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
West VirginiaPassingGarrett Greene14-23, 156 yards
RushingC.J. Donaldson17 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDevin Carter3 receptions, 47 yards
UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee25–36, 274 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
RushingR. J. Harvey14 carries, 100 yards
ReceivingKobe Hudson3 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD

UCF hosted West Virginia on Homecoming. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, as the Mountaineers won 41–28. West Virginia put up 286 yards rushing, and quarterback Garrett Greene ran for three touchdowns.

at Cincinnati

UCF Knights at Cincinnati Bearcats
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 7 7 7728
Bearcats 3 7 7926

at Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

  • Date: November 4, 2023
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 38,193
  • TV announcers (FS1): Adam Alexander, Devin Gardner
  • Gamecast
Game information
StatisticsUCFCIN
First downs2323
Total yards393515
Rushing yards228248
Passing yards165267
Turnovers02
Time of possession27:0332:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee13–23, 165 yards
RushingR. J. Harvey20 carries, 164 yards, 3 TD
ReceivingJavon Baker4 receptions, 93 yards
CincinnatiPassingEmory Jones16–22, 217 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingCorey Kiner19 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingBraden Smith6 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD

UCF traveled to rival Cincinnati, and won their first conference game in Big 12 conference play. Running back R. J. Harvey had a career-best 164 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Harvey scored a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Knights up 28–20 with 2:41 left in regulation. Emory Jones then drove the Bearcats 75 yards in five plays for a touchdown, making the score 28–26 with 1:27 left. Jones' two-point conversion pass was tipped and fell incomplete, and the Knights held on to win 28–26.

No. 15 Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State Cowboys at UCF Knights
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 15 Cowboys 0 0 303
Knights 14 10 14745

at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

Game information
StatisticsOSUUCF
First downs1521
Total yards277592
Rushing yards52293
Passing yards225299
Turnovers41
Time of possession25:1534:45
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Oklahoma StatePassingAlan Bowman19–36, 225 yards, 3 INT
RushingOllie Gordon II12 carries, 25 yards
ReceivingRashod Owens6 receptions, 85 yards
UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee11–18, 299 yards, 3 TD
RushingR. J. Harvey24 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD
ReceivingJavon Baker4 receptions, 112 yards

UCF hosted then-No. 15 Oklahoma State in their seventh annual "Space Game". The Knights dominated the game from start to finish, and routed the Cowboys 45–3. John Rhys Plumlee threw for 299 yards and three touchdown passes, while R.J. Harvey rushed for a career-best 206 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The UCF defense held Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (the nation's leading rusher) to only 25 yards, and forced four turnovers. The Knights won their first Big 12 intra-conference home game, and first Big 12 intra-conference game against an existing/original team from the conference. After the game, fans stormed the field to celebrate.

UCF jumped out to a quick 14–0 lead in the first quarter. R.J. Harvey got the Knights on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run on their first drive. Ollie Gordon then fumbled in Knights territory, which led to a 7-yard touchdown pass from John Rhys Plumlee to Kobe Hudson. Braeden Marshall picked off Alan Bowman's deflected pass, which led to a Knights field goal early in the second quarter. A huge downpour then pelted the stadium, but it did not slow down the Knights offense. Plumlee found Kobe Hudson for a 75-yard touchdown, and the Knights led 24–0 at halftime.

Oklahoma State got the ball to start the third quarter. The Cowboys drove to the Knights 7 yard line, but had to settle for a field goal. On the ensuing drive, Plumlee was sacked and fumbled, giving the Cowboys the ball at the UCF 24. Two plays later, however, Demari Henderson tipped and intercepted a pass by Bowman at the 8 yard line. It was Bowman's third interception of the game, and Henderson's second such of the game defensively. On the very next play from scrimmage, R.J. Harvey took a handoff and blasted through for a 92-yard touchdown run to put the Knights up 31–3. UCF would tack on two more scores, and defeated Oklahoma State by the final score of 45–3.

at Texas Tech

UCF Knights at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 14 0 0923
Red Raiders 0 14 7324

at Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX

  • Date: November 18, 2023
  • Game time: 5:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 53,851
  • TV announcers (FS2): Guy Haberman, Charles Arbuckle
  • Gamecast
Game information
StatisticsUCFTTU
First downs2325
Total yards486446
Rushing yards238190
Passing yards248256
Turnovers11
Time of possession31:5728:03
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee16–32, 248 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJohn Rhys Plumlee13 carries, 84 yards
ReceivingJavon Baker4 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD
Texas TechPassingBehren Morton21–35, 256 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingTahj Brooks24 carries, 182 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingXavier White3 receptions, 77 yards

UCF traveled to take on Texas Tech. The Knights jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter, with two touchdown runs by R. J. Harvey. With 5:30 left in the fourth quarter, UCF was trailing 24–17. John Rhys Plumlee found Javon Baker wide open for a 71-yard touchdown pass. But Colton Boomer's game-tying extra point attempt was blocked and sailed wide left. The Red Raiders were able to run out the clock and held on for a 24–23 victory.

Houston

Houston Cougars at UCF Knights
Period 1 2 34Total
Cougars 10 0 0313
Knights 6 7 14027

at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

  • Date: November 25, 2023
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 43,610
  • TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins, Devin Gardner
  • Gamecast
Game information
StatisticsHOUUCF
First downs1723
Total yards259476
Rushing yards94223
Passing yards165253
Turnovers10
Time of possession27:0432:56
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingDonovan Smith12–20, 161 yards, 1 TD, I INT
RushingStacy Sneed3 carries, 33 yards
ReceivingJoseph Manjack IV4 receptions, 74 yards
UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee23–27, 253 yards, 1 TD
RushingR. J. Harvey21 carries, 136 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingKobe Hudson9 receptions, 98 yards

UCF hosted Houston in their regular season finale. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw for 253 yards and running back R. J. Harvey rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns, as the Knights defeated the Cougars 27–13. With the win, UCF finished the regular season 6–6 overall (3–6 in the Big 12), and became bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive season. The UCF offense put up 476 total yards, but the kicking game struggled for the second week in a row. Colton Boomer missed two field goals and an extra point.

Gasparilla Bowl

2023 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Period 1 2 34Total
Georgia Tech 0 17 31030
UCF 14 3 0017

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: Friday, December 22, 2023
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C) • Wind: 6 mph (9.7 km/h) NE
  • Game attendance: 30,281
  • Referee: Cravonne Barrett
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tim Hasselbeck (analyst), and Taylor Tannebaum (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
Statistics GT UCF
First downs2119
Plays–yards69–37169–424
Rushes–yards53–28434–169
Passing yards87255
Passing: comp–att–int7–13–117–33–1
Time of possession33:3026:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia Tech PassingHaynes King7/13, 87 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJamal Haynes18 carries, 128 yards
ReceivingMalik Rutherford2 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD
UCF PassingJohn Rhys Plumlee16/29, 198 yards, 2 TD
RushingRJ Harvey15 carries, 120 yards
ReceivingJavon Baker9 receptions, 173 yards, 1 TD

UCF faced Georgia Tech in the 2023 Gasparilla Bowl. It was the sixth meeting between the two teams. UCF had won the most recent meeting 27–10 in 2022. This was UCF's sixth appearance in the Gasparilla Bowl (formerly known as the St. Petersburg Bowl). George O'Leary, formerly the head coach of both teams, took part in the pre-game coin toss.

The Knights jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. John Rhys Plumlee threw touchdown passes to Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson. UCF was looking to go up 21–0 when their drive was snuffed out as R.J. Harvey fumbled away the ball at the Georgia Tech 42. The turnover led to a Yellow Jackets field goal, and was a turning point in the game. The Knights defense held Georgia Tech to only 87 yards passing, but the Yellow Jackets put up 284 yards on the ground. Trailing 17–3, Georgia Tech scored 27 unanswered points, and won by the score of 30–17.

Personnel

2023 UCF Knights Football

Quarterbacks

  • 8 Xavier Williams – Redshirt So.
  • 9 Timmy McClain – Redshirt So.
  • 10 John Rhys Plumlee – Sr. (C)
  • 12 Dylan Rizk – Fr.
  • 14 Gunnar Smith – Redshirt Fr.
  • 21 Brock Hansel – Redshirt Fr.

Running backs

  •  0 Johnny Richardson – Sr.
  •  5 Jordan McDonald – So.
  •  6 Mark-Antony Richards – Redshirt Sr.
  • 7 R.J. Harvey – Redshirt Sr.
  •  20 Kam Ingram – Redshirt So.
  • 23 Demarkcus Bowman – Redshirt Jr.
  • 37 Preston Foreman – Redshirt Fr.

Wide receivers

  •  1 Javon Baker – Sr.
  •  2 Kobe Hudson – Sr.
  •  3 Xavier Townsend – So.
  •  4 Corey Gammage – Redshirt Sr.
  •  11 Chauncey Magwood – Jr.
  • 15 Tyree Patterson – Fr.
  • 16 Stephen Martin – Redshirt Jr.
  • 17 Amari Johnson – Sr.
  • 18 Jaylon Griffin – Redshirt Sr.
  • 19 Jarrad Baker – Redshirt Sr.
  • 24 Andrew Dickson – Redshirt So.
  • 31 JaJuan Forte – Redshirt 5th-Sr.
  • 38 Dionte Marks – Redshirt Sr.
  • 80 Trent Whittemore – Redshirt Jr.
  • 81 Tyler Griffin – Redshirt Fr.
  • 87 Dwartney Wortham – Redshirt Fr.
  • 89 Cullen Smith – Redshirt So.

Tight ends/H-back

  •  13 Randy Pittman – Fr.
  • 41 Jack Morgan – So.
  • 49 Max Holler – Redshirt Jr.
  • 82 Alec Holler – Redshirt 5th-Sr. (C)
  • 83 Garrett French – Redshirt Jr.
  • 84 Thomas Wadsworth – Redshirt Fr.
  • 85 Zach Marsh Wojan – Redshirt 5th-Sr.
  • 86 Jordan Davis – Redshirt Jr. Injury icon 2
  • 88 Grant Stevens – Redshirt Fr.
  

Offensive Lineman

  • 50 Patrick Barnett – Redshirt Jr.
  • 52 Caden Kitler – Redshirt Fr.
  • 54 Bula Schmidt – Redshirt Sr.
  • 55 Cameron Kinnie – Redshirt Jr.
  • 56 Johnathan Cline – Fr.
  • 57 John Harris – Redshirt Sr.
  • 59 Keyon Cox – Fr.
  • 60 Drake Metcalf – Redshirt Jr.
  • 64 Shaheem Hill – Redshirt Fr.
  • 66 Chidoziri Maghiro – Redshirt 5th-Sr.
  • 68 Ethan Higgins – Fr.
  • 69 Paul Rubelt – Redshirt Jr.
  • 70 Edward Collins – Redshirt 5th-Sr.
  • 71 Tylan Grable – Redshirt 5th-Sr.
  • 72 Marcellus Marshall – Jr.
  • 74 Matthew Prigmore – Fr.
  • 75 Andrew Phelan – Fr.
  • 76 Adrian Medley – Redshirt Sr.
  • 77 Lokahi Pauole – 5th-Sr. (C)
  • 78 Amari Kight – Redshirt Sr.

Kickers/Punters

  • 32 Michael Carter – Redshirt Fr.
  • 35 Colton Boomer – So.
  • 40 Mitch McCarthy – So.
  • 98 Kriston Esnard – Redshirt So.
  • 80 Grant Reddick – Fr.

Long snappers

  • 26 Chris Bowerfind – Redshirt So.
  • 42 Aidan Fedigan – So.
  • 41 Gage King – Redshirt Sr.
  

Defensive tackles

  •  2 Lee Hunter – Redshirt So.
  •  5 Ricky Barber – Redshirt Sr. (C)
  • 40 Kervins Choute – Redshirt Jr.
  • 55 John Walker – Fr.
  • 56 Matthew Alexander – Redshirt So.
  • 87 Andrew Rumph – Fr.
  • 90 Derrick LeBlanc – Fr.
  • 91 Keshaun Hudson – So.
  • 94 Chris Ficka – Fr.

Linebacker

  • 0 Jason Johnson – Redshirt 5th-Sr (C)
  • 16 T.J. Bullard – Redshirt Fr.
  • 15 Isaiah Paul – Redshirt Sr.
  • 17 Rian Davis – Redshirt Sr.
  • 20 Troy Ford Jr. – Fr.
  • 25 Camden Vining – Redshirt So.
  • 27 Walter Yates III – Redshirt 5th-Sr.
  • 28 Andrew Harris – Fr.
  • 30 Kam Moore – So.
  • 35 Keenan Cupit – Redshirt Jr.
  • 43 Kingston Gorney – Redshirt Sr.
  • 45 Quentin Hatch – So.
  • 54 Keeron Henderson – Sr.

Defensive back

  •  3 Ja'Cari Henderson – Redshirt Fr.
  •  4 Braeden Marshall – Fr.
  •  7 Fred Davis – Sr.
  •  8 Demari Henderson – So.
  • 9 Jireh Wilson – 5th-Sr.
  • 10 Quadric Bullard – Sr.
  • 11 Decorian Patterson –Redshirt Sr.
  • 13 DeJordan Mask – 5th-Sr.
  • 14 Corey Thornton – Sr.
  • 18 Ja'Maric Morris – Redshirt Sr.
  • 19 Hudson Gibbs – Fr.
  • 21 Nikai Martinez – So.
  • 22 Jason Duclona – Fr.
  • 24 Jarvis Ware – Redshirt Sr.
  • 26 Daniel McCullon – Redshirt Jr.
  • 29 William Wells – Jr.
  • 31 Brandon Adams – Jr.
  • 34 Terrell Jackson – So.
  • 36 Champ Jenkins – Redshirt So.
  • 39 R.D. Cooper – Sr.
  • 46 Nicholas Antoine– Redshirt Fr.
  

Defensive ends

  • 3 Tre'mon Morris-Brash – 5th-Sr.
  • 6 Isaiah Nixon – Fr.
  • 33 Kaven Call – Fr.
  • 47 K.D. McDaniel – Redshirt Sr.
  • 51 Malachi Lawrence – Redshirt So.
  • 12 Shaun Peterson Jr. – Redshirt Sr.
  • 58 Dallaz Corbitt – Redshirt Sr.
  • 88 Josh Celiscar – Sr. (C)
  • 96 Trace O'Hara – Redshirt Jr.
  • 92 Finau Fine – Redshirt Jr.
  • 99 Jamaal Johnson – Redshirt Jr.

Legend

  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Coaching staff

→ Roster updated September, 2023
→ Depth chart updated September, 2023

Awards and milestones

National honors

All-Americans

All-American Honors
Player Athletic Athlon BR CBS Sports CFN ESPN FOX Sports Phil Steele SI USA Today
Javon Baker HM
RJ Harvey HM
Tremon Morris Brash HM
HM = Honorable mention.

All-Big 12 Conference

Big 12 All-Conference Honors
Player Big 12 AP Athlon CFN PFF Phil Steele USA Today
Javon Baker 1st[33][34] 2nd[35] 1st[36] 1st [37] S[38] 1st
Colton Boomer HM
Tylan Grable HM HM
Demari Henderson HM
RJ Harvey HM 2nd 1st 2nd
Kobe Hudson HM 2nd 2nd 2nd
Lee Hunter HM 3rd 2nd
Jason Johnson 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st
Malachi Lawrence HM
Nikai Martinez HM
Marcellus Marshall 2nd
Tremon Morris Brash 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st
Lokahi Pauole HM 2nd S[39]
John Rhys Plumlee HM
Corey Thornton HM HM
Xavier Townsend HM HM 3rd
Walter Yates III HM
HM = Honorable mention.

S = Selected, indicating they were selected for a singular "best of" All-Big 12 team.

Big 12 Conference honors

  • Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 2): Colton Boomer[40]
  • Co-Offense Player of the Week (Week 10): R. J. Harvey[41]
  • Defensive Player of the Week (Week 11): Demari Henderson[42]
  • Tre'mon Morris-Brash (Defensive Lineman of the Year - Honorable Mention)[33][34]
  • Randy Pittman Jr. (Offensive Freshman of the Year - Honorable Mention)[33][34]
  • John Walker (Defensive Freshman of the Year - Honorable Mention)[33][34]

School records

  • Longest field goal (ties school record): 55 yards, Colton Boomer (at Boise State), September 9, 2023[40]

References

  1. 1 2 "2023 Central Florida Knights Football Depth Chart". ourlads.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ Vannini, Chris (July 12, 2023). "Inside UCF's rise from D-III to Big 12 and what's next: 'This could be the premier place'". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  3. ↑ "2023 UCF Football Transfer Portal". On3. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  4. ↑ "2023 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  5. ↑ Forcella, Daniel (January 24, 2023). "2023 UCF Football Spring Game Set for April 14". UCFKnights.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  6. ↑ "2023 All-Big 12 College Football Preseason Team and Individual Honors". collegefootballnetwork.com. August 1, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ THE 11TH ANNUAL REESE'S SENIOR BOWL WATCHLIST, seniorbowl.com, retrieved October 28, 2023
  8. ↑ "Johnson is UCF nominee for Campbell trophy". UCFKnights.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  9. ↑ "2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List". polynesianfootballhof.com. August 17, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Allstate Sugar Bowl Announces Manning Award Watch List=Allstatesugarbowl.com". August 15, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Johnson tabbed to Bednarik award watch list". UCFKnights.com. August 14, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ "The 2023 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List". athlonsports.com. August 11, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Harvey featured on Doak Walker watch list". UCFKnights.com. August 9, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  14. ↑ "McCarthy named to Ray Guy award watch list". UCFKnights.com. August 8, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Plumlee Tabbed to Davey O'Brien Award Watch List". UCFKnights.com. August 8, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Gammage named to Biletnikoff award watch list". UCFKnights.com. August 7, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Boomer named to Lou Groza award watch list". UCFKnights.com. August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Johnson featured on Bronko Nagurski watch list". UCFKnights.com. August 1, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Pauole selected to the outland trophy watch list". UCFKnights.com. August 1, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Plumlee named to Maxwell Award Watchlist". UCFKnights.com. July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Texas Selected Atop Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll". Big12Sports.com. July 6, 2023.
  22. ↑ Adelson, Andrea (June 10, 2022). "Cincinnati, Houston, UCF reach exit deal with American, to join Big 12 in 2023". ESPN. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  23. ↑ Beede, Jason (January 24, 2022). "UCF adds old conference foe, Kent State, to 2023 schedule". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  24. 1 2 Beede, Jason (February 1, 2023). "Marc Daniels: It's More Than A Schedule For UCF". WYGM 96.9 The Game. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  25. 1 2 3 Heisler, John (May 31, 2023). "First Two 2023 UCF Football Games on FS1". ucfknights.com.
  26. ↑ https://twitter.com/UCF_Football/status/1701281088478306537
  27. ↑ "2023 UCF Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  28. ↑ Jeyarajah, Shehan (September 11, 2023). "UCF QB John Rhys Plumlee expected to miss multiple weeks, including Big 12 opener, with leg injury". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  29. ↑ "UCF is Cheez-It National Team of the Week". Sportswriters.net. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Malzahn named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week". ucfknights.com. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  31. ↑ "UCF's John Rhys Plumlee earns Manning Award Quarterback of the Week". crescentcitysports. November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  32. ↑ Wilson, Justin (November 30, 2023). "Walker named On3 True Freshman All-American". UCFKnights.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  33. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Justin (November 29, 2023). "UCF's 2023 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced". UCFKnights.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "2023 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced" (PDF). Big12sports.com. November 29, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  35. ↑ Hawkins, Stephen (December 8, 2023). "TD-scoring Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat and Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon top AP All-Big 12 team". Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  36. ↑ Lassan, Steven (December 15, 2023). "College Football: 2023 Postseason All-Big 12 Team". Athlon Sports. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  37. ↑ Mellor, Cam (December 2, 2023). "2023 All-Big 12 College Football Team and Individual Honors". College Football Network. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  38. ↑ Chadwick, Max (December 11, 2023). "2023 College Football All-Big 12 Team: Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II, Texas DI T'Vondre Sweat and more". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  39. ↑ Davis, Danny (November 29, 2023). "USA TODAY Sports Network 2023 All-Big 12 football team: Gordon, Sarkisian earn top awards". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  40. 1 2 "UCF, OU and UT Earn Big 12 Football Week 2 Awards". Big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  41. ↑ "UCF, OSU and UT Receive Big 12 Football Week 10 Awards". Big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  42. ↑ "UCF, ISU, OU and TTU Claim Big 12 Football Week 11 Awards". Big12Sports.com. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
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