1979 UCF Knights football team
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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 Orlando Stadium, now known as the Citrus Bowl, in Downtown Orlando.
UCF played its first 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
September 22at Saint Leo*St. Leo, FloridaW 21–0 1,000 September 29Fort Benning*
W 7–6 14,138 October 13Maryville*
- Orlando Stadium
- Orlando, Florida
W 10–7 7,350 October 20at Fort Lauderdale*Fort Lauderdale, FloridaW 14–0 500 October 27at Presbyterian*
L 0–48 3,800 November 3at Emory & Henry College*Emory, VirginiaL 14–28 1,000 November 10Sewanee*
- Orlando Stadium
- Orlando, Florida
W 24–0 10,111 November 17Morehouse*
- Orlando Stadium
- Orlando, Florida
W 14–7 13,309
See also
- UCF Knights
- UCF Knights football
- List of UCF Knights football seasons
- List of University of Central Florida alumni
- List of UCF Knights head football coaches
References
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Central Florida Game by Game Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
- ^ "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.
External links
- College Football Data Warehouse, UCF Yearly Results: 1979. Retrieved December 24, 2011.