1979 UCF Knights football team

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 the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, now known as Camping World Stadium, in downtown Orlando.

1979 UCF Knights football
ConferenceIndependent
1979 record6–2
Head coachDon Jonas (1st season)
Home stadiumFlorida Citrus Bowl Stadium

UCF played its first football 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]

Schedule
Florida Citrus Bowl, the Knights home field from 1979 to 2006.
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendance
September 22at Saint LeoSt. Leo, FloridaW 21–01,000
September 29Fort Benning
W 7–614,138
October 13Maryville
  • Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium
  • Orlando, Florida
W 10–77,350
October 20at Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FloridaW 14–0500
October 27at Presbyterian
L 0–483,800
November 3at Emory & Henry CollegeEmory, VirginiaL 14–281,000
November 10Sewanee
  • Florida Citrus Bowl
  • Orlando, Florida
W 24–010,111
November 17Morehouse
  • Florida Citrus Bowl
  • Orlando, Florida
W 14–713,309
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See also

References
  1. "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.
  2. "Central Florida Game by Game Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-16. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
  3. "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.


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