1979 UCF Knights football team

1979 UCF Knights football
ConferenceIndependent
Record6–2[a]
Head coach
Home stadiumFlorida Citrus Bowl Stadium
Seasons
1980 →
1979 NCAA Division III independents football records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Wabash   –   8 – 1 – 0
Norwich   –   8 – 2 – 0
Maryville (TN)   –   7 – 2 – 0
Dayton   –   8 – 2 – 1
UCF   –   6 – 2 – 0
Millsaps   –   7 – 3 – 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
Grove City   –   3 – 6 – 0
Saint Francis (PA)   –   2 – 6 – 0
DePauw   –   2 – 7 – 0
Cortland   –   1 – 9 – 0
St. Norbert   –   1 – 9 – 0
Fordham   –   0 – 9 – 0

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 led by head coach Don Jonas and 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 Saturday September 22, at Saint Leo. The game took place on a rainy, water-logged and muddy field, which was a said to be a cow pasture.[2] Quarterback Mike Cullison, a graduate of nearby Evans High School, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another touchdown, as UCF was victorious by the score of 21–0.[3] Running back Mike Stapp rushed for 101 yards on 15 carries, and the Knights defense held the Lions to only 92 yards of total offense.

One week later, the Knights won their first home game by defeating Fort Benning, 7–6.[4] 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.[4][5]

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.[6]

Schedule

Orlando Stadium, later known as the Florida Citrus Bowl, the Knights' home field from 1979 to 2006
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendance
September 22at Saint LeoSt. Leo, FLW 21–01,000
September 29Fort Benning
W 7–614,138
October 13Maryville (TN)
  • Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
W 10–77,350
October 20at Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FLW 14–0500
October 27at Presbyterian
L 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

Notes

  1. ^ The official NCAA Statistics do not include the game against Fort Benning, resulting in a record of 5–2[1]

References

  1. ^ "Final 1979 Cumulative Football Statistics Report". NCAA.org. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Bianchi, Mike (November 18, 2018). "UCF has come a long way, baby". Orlando Sentinel. p. A1. Retrieved October 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^ Greene, Jerry (September 23, 1979). "UCF records historical first triumph 21-0 over St. Leo". Orlando Sentinel. p. 33. Retrieved October 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ a b "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.
  5. ^ "Central Florida Game by Game Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  6. ^ "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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