Penn State vs. UCF: A Football History
The football history between Penn State and the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a narrative encompassing early matchups, pivotal moments, and the evolution of both programs. From Penn State's early victories to UCF's rise as a formidable football program, this series reflects the changing landscape of college football.
Early Encounters: Penn State's Dominance
The series began with two matchups in the early 2000s, both won by Penn State. Zack Mills, the Nittany Lions' quarterback at the time, played a crucial role in these victories.
2002: A Close Season Opener
The first game, in 2002, was a narrow 27-24 victory for Penn State. As John Black described, Mills, then a sophomore, demonstrated poise and leadership, completing 13 of 20 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions.
2004: A Decisive Victory
The second meeting in 2004 resulted in a more convincing 37-13 win for Penn State. Mills, then a senior, threw for 229 yards and a touchdown. These games occurred during a challenging period for Penn State, marked by inconsistent team performance and Mills facing criticism as the quarterback.
UCF's Football Program: From Division III to FBS Powerhouse
UCF's football program has a unique trajectory, starting in 1979 as an NCAA Division III program and ascending to Division I-A (now FBS) by 1996. UCF became the first program in NCAA history to have played in all four divisions of football.
Read also: The Legacy of Penn State vs. Boise State
The Genesis of the Program
The origins of UCF's football program can be traced back to a speech by university president Dr. Trevor Colbourn in January 1979. He believed a successful athletics program would enhance the university's reputation. Less than a year later, UCF played its first game on September 22, 1979, securing a 21-0 victory against St. Leo University.
Rise Through the Divisions
In 1986, under leadership, UCF achieved its first winning season since 1979, with a 6-5 record. Ted Wilson became the first UCF player drafted into the NFL in 1987. The Knights reached the Division II playoffs after an 8-3 regular season record in 1987.
Transition to Division I-A
In 1992, UCF President Dr. John Hitt announced the program's move to Division I-A in 1996. The team won their first game against a Division I-A team in 1993, defeating Louisiana Tech 38-16. Daunte Culpepper's arrival in 1995 revitalized the team. On September 1, 1996, UCF officially entered Division I-A.
Conference USA and the O'Leary Era
After several years as an independent, UCF joined the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2002. George O'Leary was named UCF's head coach in 2004. In 2005, UCF joined Conference USA and achieved an 8-5 record, winning the East Division and hosting the C-USA Championship game.
Stadium Inauguration and Record-Breaking Seasons
UCF rebranded in 2007 in preparation for its move to its new on-campus stadium, becoming the "UCF Knights." In 2007, they inaugurated their new stadium by hosting No. 6 Texas. Running back Kevin Smith set an NCAA record with 450 rushing attempts and rushed for 2,567 yards.
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Tragedy and Resilience
In 2008, running back Ereck Plancher tragically passed away after a conditioning drill. Following a lackluster 4-8 season in 2008, UCF bounced back with an 8-5 record in 2009.
Conference USA Champions and BCS Bowl Berth
The Knights won the 2010 C-USA championship game, defeating SMU 17-7 and entered the BCS standings for the first time in program history, ranking No. 20.
Joining the American Athletic Conference
In 2012, the Knights finished 10-4 and won their fourth C-USA East Division crown. In 2013, O'Leary led the Knights to their first twelve-win season (12-1), first perfect intra-conference record (8-0), first win against a Big Ten opponent (Penn State), and won the inaugural AAC Championship.
Fiesta Bowl Upset
Ranked No. 15, UCF secured a berth in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day against No. 6 Baylor, winning 52-42. UCF finished 9-4 in 2014, finishing as co-champions of the AAC.
2014 Croke Park Classic
The Knights kicked off the 2014 season at the Croke Park Classic in Dublin, Ireland against Penn State, losing 26-24.
Read also: A Look at Penn State's Enrollment Numbers
Coaching Changes and Perfect Seasons
In 2015, George O'Leary resigned as head coach after starting 0-2. Scott Frost was hired as head coach in 2016. In 2017 UCF completed a 13-0 perfect season and won the Peach Bowl over No. 7 Auburn.
National Recognition
On January 9, 2018, the Colley Matrix, an NCAA-recognized Major Selector, ranked UCF No. 1.
Conference Championships
Under head coach George O'Leary, the Knights won two Conference USA Championships (2007, 2010). O'Leary also led the Knights to the American Athletic Conference championship in their first year in that league (2013).
The Heupel Era
In Heupel's first season, UCF started the season 12-0 and extended its winning streak to a school-record 25 games.
Malzahn Era
On February 15, 2021, Terry Mohajir named Gus Malzahn as UCF's new head football coach. In 2021, Malzahn won in his debut with the Knights, a come-from-behind win over Boise State.
Move to the Big 12 Conference
In 2023, UCF officially moved into the Big 12 Conference. 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.
Frost Returns
After a brief coaching search, UCF re-hired Scott Frost, who coached the Knights football team in 2016-2017.
2013: UCF Defeats Penn State
In 2013, UCF achieved a significant milestone by defeating Penn State, marking their first win against a Big Ten opponent. The final score was 34-31. Running back Zach Zwinak ran for a career-high three touchdowns on 128 yards for Penn State, but the Nittany Lions fell to the UCF Knights. Freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg threw for 262 yards and one touchdown, while Zwinak rumbled for his seventh 100-yard game of his career. Wide receiver Allen Robinson recorded nine receptions for 143 yards and a score. UCF quarterback Blake Bortles went 20-for-27 with 288 yards and three touchdowns, while Storm Johnson ran for 117 yards and a score.
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