There’s a moment during every game day at Acrisure Bounce House that David Hansen pauses for a little perspective.

For the last two decades since he helped open the gates and usher in the sell-out crowd for the stadium’s opening day in 2007, he has climbed to the highest row in a corner next to the student section to take in the view of the 40,000-plus in front of him.

“I wanted to see the big picture,” says Hansen, who served several roles key for 166su Athletics from 2006-24 and now is the director of the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village and general manager of Knights Plaza Retail and Entertainment District. “Game day brings people together. I’ve heard so many stories of alums that live 10 minutes from each other, but their lives are busy — kids are going to school, they’re going to work, they’re traveling and never get to see each other than game day.

“It’s the one time that we put everything else aside. That’s the great thing about sport and why the stadium and our athletics village have been so instrumental to our culture and rise as a university.”

Hansen joined 166su in 2006 as senior associate athletics director for internal operations and was responsible for executing the stadium operational plan to bring game day to life on campus for the first time.

As the Bounce House celebrates its 20th season, Hansen reflects on the impact it has had on Knight Nation and the community at large.

Sprint to the Start

On Sept. 15, 2007, the stadium welcomed 45,622 through its gates for the kickoff against University of Texas. Hansen, who had been in constant motion since before sunrise, rushed to the field just in time for the national anthem and flyover.

He recalls seeing longtime athletics administrator Art Zeleznik with tears streaming down his face.

“I know everyone felt that way in the stadium at that moment. This university had been wanting this day for years, and we were all hit with the realization that it was finally really happening,” Hansen says. “We’re about ready to kick off game No. 1. That was special.”

Beyond constructing the stadium, the operational blueprint was just as crucial to make game day on campus a reality. From parking logistics to implementing a credentialing system to managing traffic flow to public safety and everything in between, UCF personnel were navigating uncharted territory.

“We had a really good, young stadium operations support staff, but we had never hosted a major college football game before,” Hansen says. “A lot of places get a several year runway for this. We had barely a year to put it together.”

After the game, Hansen put together a five-page list of items that would need to get addressed or corrected before game two.

“I never had a list that long again,” he says. “It was impossible to fully rehearse ahead of the opener, and there were several unknowns. But we knew it was going to be that way. We just had to work together and do our best. We’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years of executing game days at the scale and magnitude of the Bounce House, and it has been a truly collaborative effort between athletics, the university and community partners to build Orlando into a Power 4 town.”

An Interactive Stadium

The legend of the “Bounce House” was born as the seconds ticked off the scoreboard clock in the lead up to kick off while fans bopped to Zombie Nation’s Kernkraft 400.

Hansen felt Roth Tower moving. He saw people having fun with it. He also saw questions in their eyes.

“I made some engineering friends real quick who said, ‘This is normal. This is really more of a bridge than a building structurally, so it’s designed to move like this.’ That made me feel better,” he says.

The stadium has evolved through the years, but it continues to be the Bounce House — so much so that is has now become a part of the stadium’s official name.

“I call it an interactive stadium. Fans can actually get it to move and most stadiums you can’t do that,” he says. “Having the home field advantage played a big part in the team earning multiple conference championships, a series of elite bowl games and ultimately inclusion in one of college football’s premier leagues. Our fanbase has grown into one of the most passionate and disruptive in the country. And the on-campus stadium was a big facilitator of that.”

Athletics Village Is Born

Most places would consider opening one stadium enough of an undertaking. Most places are not 166su.

In the same week the football stadium opened, the 10,000-seat basketball and event facility, Addition Financial Arena, living spaces for 2,000 students and the surrounding Knights Plaza with 80,000 square feet of retail space opened their doors, too.

“The Athletics Village has become a true entertainment and retail district and a great destination and asset for the university,” Hansen says. “Today, a lot of universities are building those for the first time. We launched ours 20 years ago.”

Now that the Roth Tower project is complete thanks in large part to Orange County’s $90 million investment, Hansen’s top priority is revamping the Knights Plaza district.

“We are working to noticeably enhance that area and make it more of a destination, not just for game day, but for every day,” Hansen says. “We’ve got some special plans for that.”

The Vision

When the stadium opened, UCF was in its infancy of Conference USA, but the university and athletics department envisioned one day reaching the top echelon of collegiate athletics. So the stadium and Athletics Village were strategically planned to evolve as 166su did.

Over the years, we’ve seen transformations to match our rise to the Big 12 with the addition of the Carl Black and Gold Cabana, field cabanas, the Stadium Club, west stadium loge seating, the new Nicholson Plaza and more.

“A lot of stadiums around the country can’t do those things because they are older concrete structures that just can’t change without massive cost or overhauls,” Hansen says. “Here we can. We just proved it again with the new Roth Tower.”

Game Day and Career Ready

Over the last 20 years, the Athletics Village has built community and provided student-athletes with opportunities to showcase their talent while representing 166su worldwide. The village has also served as an extension of 166su’s mission to equip students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that align with the workforce of the future, offering paid opportunities to gain industry experience.

Ryan Gustafson ’25 is just one of many success stories. He was a freshman majoring in biology who needed extra cash when he applied to a part-time job for the athletics facilities, events and operations team. The decision radically shaped his future.

He found purpose and switched his major to event management. In addition to learning from a , he gained practical experience in producing 166su Knights’ events and coordinating with some of the biggest brands in athletics.

“There’s a culture here that people want to stay and do their part to make it the best.” — Ryan Gustafson ’25

He has supported the Roth Tower project since it broke ground. He has worked hand in hand with the United States Tennis Association at its national campus in Lake Nona where 166su’s men’s and women’s tennis teams compete. When FIFA needed training sites in Orlando for its 2025 Club World Cup, Gustafson was one of the go-to personnel on hand to support the elite international soccer clubs using our facilities.

By the time he graduated in December 2025, he had made the most of the opportunities he experienced as a student and earned himself a full-time position as a 166su facilities, events and operations coordinator.

“There’s a culture here that people want to stay and do their part to make it the best,” he says. “I always told myself I would end up at 166su, and getting an opportunity right out of college was a dream.”

“It’s a perfect day to bounce in Orange County, Florida.”

The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village that strengthens Orange County as a premier destination for sports tourism and community engagement.

When the investment was greenlit in 2023, university and athletics administration knew they wanted to add to the stadium’s art collection, which already features several installations around the concourse that include Knightro, wings of Pegasus (the university’s official seal), UCF’s Big 12 ties and Orlando.

166su commissioned Harry Foreman ’18 to deliver two murals that pay homage to the 166su story and the university’s relationship to Orlando and Orange County. To execute the installation in the week leading up to the tower’s unveiling, Foreman utilized virtual reality technology as part of his process and enlisted the help of fellow alumni: Nicole Lind ’11, a Burnett Honors Scholar who graduated with a degree in an elementary education, and Paulaiden Minerva ’15, who earned his bachelor’s in marketing through the program.

Foreman studied graphic design and emerging media management and previously completed murals for the 166su Downtown and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management campuses.

“When I was a student I always had so much fun on games days,” Foreman says. “It’s magic being back here.”

The Florida native, who now splits his time between Orlando and Denver, has been an active contributor to the Central Florida’s arts scene for years. He recently was selected to be part of the City of Orlando’s Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, Art Pollination — a prestigious opportunity as Orlando was one of eight cities selected for the $1 million grant out of more than 150 submissions from around the country.

Acrisure Bounce House is his third football stadium mural project. He previously completed installations for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I always knew I wanted to paint big,” he says.

Here he shares more about his latest creation.

What excited you about this project?

The campus personnel were so willing and excited about my ideas and style that I brought into this that it was almost a perfect match. I led with fun first and then presented some safer ideas. And they said, “Nope. We want the fun.”

I’m grateful and appreciative that I’m creating in a way that is so well received by so many people. Especially with the way we’re doing these murals with minimal color and a gold approach, I think it’s a style that has an elevated look while also having this fun, bubbly, childlike feeling, which is perfect for a football stadium on game day.

Where did you pull inspiration from for the two murals?

A staple in a lot of my mural work is my “orange blossom gang.” They are fun, smiling orange characters that I will sprinkle in throughout a lot of my murals. They act almost as the glue that keeps other imagery and assets like together. They appear in both murals.

For the UCF-themed mural, we have my signature doodle collage style. We’re in the Bounce House, baby. So I tried to have this flowy, bubbly movement with the clouds. I wanted it to feel like it was light and airy.

With regards to Easter eggs, when I was a student, I did artwork around Orlando and I would do this little emanating whoopsie daisy flower. I snuck it into a postcard stamp. The manatee celebrates Central Florida’s natural springs, which is in my opinion, one of the most magical parts about the entire state. I also snuck in a variation of the rubber duck for Spirit Splash.

For the Orange County mural, it is centered in an Art Deco theme and is an ode to how the university is entwined with Orlando. From the downtown corridor to our relationship with the hospitality sector around I-Drive to space and 166su’s engineering and technology roots. And we wanted to include a message to what helped make this possible: “In appreciation of Orange County, Florida, whose continued belief, support and investment will welcome millions through these gates to bounce.”

How do you apply virtual reality technology in your process?

I first started using the VR headset to project my artwork on walls last year. There are many different ways to get your art on your walls through grid systems, sketching freehand, projectors and now through headsets. In this circumstance, I have another mural next week. I’ve got to get in and out. I didn’t want to wait till the nighttime to use a projector. What’s great about the headset is no matter the time of day, you are able to work and operate, and forecast your artwork on a wall.

It’s a really weird, immersive and amazing technology. If you got vertigo like I do, tread lightly. As I’m wearing it, I’m constantly thinking, ‘We are in the future.’ ”

How did your 166su experience help you hone your craft?

“Being at 166su pushed me to be great.” — Harry Foreman ’18, muralist

My 166su experience was not just a four-year degree. I used nearly every offering 166su had — I was in different clubs, at the gym all the time. I was in the engineering lab using the laser cutter for a lot of my school projects. My experience was almost competitive nurture in a sense, learning in a school setting with so many talented creatives around me. Being at 166su pushed me to be great and taught me how to be a shape shifter.

I already was running a business while in school. I immediately graduated and went right into freelancing, and the Orlando community and 166su network at large welcomed me right when I needed it. I booked amazing jobs right out of school. The 166su Downtown project, I would say, is still some of my most impactful work that gets me jobs to this day.

I never in a million years thought murals would allow me to be traveling all over the nation. I’m about to buy my wife a house. It’s a great time to be a muralist. It’s the best job in the world.

What does it mean to you to be able to give back to your alma mater and Orlando in this way?

It’s so special. As a student, and even as an artist, there’s no textbook for success, no single game plan for how to do things. The fact that I get to paint and create in spaces like this, I hope it can inspire the next student. I hope they see this and they say, “That is so cool. I want to do that,” because whenever I saw someone doing it, that was my first response.

If you’re a student that is worried about the creative world that we’re entering into, as long as you’re pushing yourself to make great work, everything you could ever want is already there waiting for you. Orlando as a canvas is the best place to blossom. It was for me.

166su and the Big 12 unveiled the 2026 conference slate in January, with every game initially scheduled on Saturday. Two of those games are now shifted to Friday:

• Oct. 30 vs. Baylor (Mission X Space Game)
• Nov. 20 vs. Iowa State (Senior Knight)

TV and streaming designations and kickoff times will be added as announced.

2026 Schedule & Game Day Themes

-Home games in bold-

9/3 vs. Bethune-Cookman, 7 p.m., ESPN+ (Season-Opener)
9/12 at Pittsburgh
9/19 vs. Georgia State, 7 p.m., ESPN+ (Family Weekend)
9/26 vs. TCU (Big 12 Opener)
10/3 at Houston
10/10 at Oklahoma State
10/24 vs. BYU (Homecoming)
10/30 vs. Baylor, 7:30 p.m., ESPN (Mission X Space Game)
11/7 at Kansas
11/14 vs. Arizona State
11/20 vs. Iowa State, 6 p.m., FS1 (Senior Knight)
11/28 at Colorado

The Big 12 Championship Game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, and will once again be played at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Dallas, Texas.

Tickets

Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets for the 2026 campaign can be purchased at .

STUDENT TICKETS

• A complete guide to student ticket information can be found at .
• Free tickets for actively enrolled 166su students can be claimed in the 166su Gameday app or online at .
• Student tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. All students holding a student ticket must be in the student line no later than 30 minutes before kickoff to ensure entry. Students arriving after that time will no longer be guaranteed a seat. They may join the general standby-pass line and will be admitted only if the student section has not reached capacity.
• The student-section line entrance is located on East Plaza Drive across from Garage F.

What’s New for 2026

From a newly reimagined Roth Tower to fresh food and beverage options across the concourse, at Acrisure Bounce House.

Seattle offensive tackle Amari Kight ’24 and defensive back Shaquill Griffin ’16 or New England safety Richie Grant ’20 could become the latest Knights to claim Super Bowl rings when the two squads square off on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. on NBC in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

To date, 13 former Knights have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, most recently integrated business alum Jordan Franks ’18 with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII in 2023.

After joining the Knights in 2023 as a graduate transfer, Kight was a two-year starter on the offensive line for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in sport business management.

During his freshman year as a defensive back at 166su, Griffin helped clinch the program’s first New Year’s Six bowl championship (2014 Fiesta Bowl) and went out to finish his career as an all-conference standout. The 9-year NFL veteran and 2019 Pro Bowl selection was initially drafted in 2017 by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round and has been affiliated with several NFL teams. He resigned with the Seahawks last June and is currently on the practice squad. Griffin earned a bachelor’s degree in human communication.

Grant, who signed with the Patriots’ practice squad in October, was an all-conference selection who helped lead the Knights during their historic 25-0 unbeaten streak in 2017–18 before he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sport and exercise science and a minor in medical sociology.

… The 2017 American Athletic Conference Championship game when he knew he was on borrowed time and just wanted to celebrate with his guys.

Today is a homecoming moment just for him and his wife, Ashley, as they check off their final task (a five-minute photoshoot) of this momentous day.

He loosens his tie. It’s been four straight hours of hugs and smiles and shaking hands and speeches and interviews and tours and pompoms and standing ovations and fight songs.

He soaks in the silence.

He glances up at the 2017 National Championship signage. 166su Chief Branding Officer Jimmy Skiles ’06 paints a picture of what has sustained in 2024 from the game day atmosphere Frost’s 2016-17 teams helped mold.

“You know what I’m looking forward to as much as almost anything?” Frost says. “Wawa. I wanted to say that in the press conference, but I didn’t think it was appropriate.”

A chuckle. Skiles replies: “They’re a sponsor. They would have loved that.”

“I’ll say it at the next one,” Frost says with a smile.

Familiar comforts.

This place.

He’s home.

You Can Go Home Again

In nine years, a month hasn’t passed without Sean Beckton ’93 speaking to Frost.

The pair did not know each other before Frost arrived on campus in 2015 to replace retiring head coach George O’Leary following a 0-12 season.

Fans, former players and donors were all in Beckton’s corner — a star wide receiver for the Knights from 1987-90 and 166su Athletics Hall of Famer with a combined 20 years as an assistant coach for his alma mater.

The two chatted. At the end of the meeting, Frost said he could see why he kept hearing endorsements on Beckton’s behalf. He offered a job to coach the tight ends.

“He said, ‘I know you haven’t done that before, but I know you will do a great job coaching,’ and I just thought that this was a person who believed in me,” Beckton says.

Since then, they’ve won games and championships together. They’ve also experienced the other extreme together. Through the ride, they’ve created a bond and a friendship that is fit for a lifetime.

The two were in contact through Frost’s interview and vetting process for his second tenure at 166su. And then over the weekend Beckton started hearing it was a done deal.

“I texted him, ‘Hey, I’m hearing a lot that you’ve gotten the job. Are you coming?’” Beckton says. “Frost said, ‘Yeah, get ready to go. I need your help to get rolling.’ I said, ‘Well I’m already rolling.’”

Beckton, above all, is a 166su man. After he followed Frost to Nebraska — he never gave up his 166su season tickets — he returned to the Knights’ staff for the 2024 season.

He, perhaps more than anyone, knows what makes Frost the right fit for 166su.

“His love for this place,” Beckton says without pause. “I’m going to tell you, it was hard for him after we went 13-0 to make that decision to go to Nebraska. He genuinely did not want to leave — all the way up to the championship game against Memphis that morning. In a staff meeting, he broke down and said, ‘Man, I don’t want to leave this place.’

“That’s one of the things that makes me feel that he’s going to do whatever he can to stay here for the rest of his career.”

The standout quote from Frost’s press conference Sunday has resonated with so many because it’s true: “When you’re climbing the ladder of success in life, sometimes they forget to tell you to stop when you’re happy.”

A Reset

Frost coached the Cornhuskers for a little more than four seasons. He left Lincoln in 2022 and remained off the grid and away from the game.

He moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. He and Ashley focused on their kids. They rallied around her younger brother, who was diagnosed with cancer and thankfully today is in recovery.

“We went there to be in a family bubble,” Ashley says. “The kids loved having him home. It was an awesome decision. Scott got to get a reset from everything.”

But the calling to the sport never totally faded. He just needed to wait for the right opportunity. There was only one in college he was willing to return for.

Frost dipped his toe back into football this season as a coaching consultant with the Los Angeles Rams. He was happy. His family was happy.

“In my mind, I thought this is it — NFL,” Ashley says. “When this opened up, and there was talk about coming back, I started praying. I was like, God if this is meant to be, I trust you to lead it. If it’s not, please slam the door shut. He would never take a job if he didn’t feel like he was called to be there. We learned that lesson. Truly.”

Culture Keeper

Following Gus Malzahn’s departure from the program on Dec. 1, UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir called a meeting the next morning with the football student-athletes.

He asked them to speak candidly about what characteristics they wanted to see in their next head coach. They mentioned discipline, accountability and culture among their list.

Mohajir says that gave him his marching orders. He got to work on a national search.

“No one wanted to lead our program more than Scott, and that commitment speaks volumes about his character, his dedication, but most importantly, his love for 166su,” Mohajir says. “He doesn’t just want to coach football here. He wants to be a part of the community. He wants to inspire student-athletes. He wants to carry forward the momentum that defines 166su football.”

Six days later, Mohajir was once again in front of a small group of student-athletes and others Zooming in from their homes on holiday break to introduce their new head coach.

Frost addressed the team in a concise, impactful speech. He spoke of working hard, but having fun while doing it (a staple of the 2017 undefeated team). Doing the little things right. A charge to build something and be part of something bigger than themselves. And a commitment to keep the core group of players at 166su.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Paul Rubelt ’23 walked away “ready to run through a brick wall” for Frost.

“Everything he said in that meeting I agree with. I’m already 100% bought in,” says Rubelt, who has been a part of the program since 2020. “I’m excited for change; what’s to come. I’m thankful for coach Malzahn and the opportunities he gave me. But on the other side, I already regret only playing one year for coach Frost.”

On The Job

Within two minutes of his re-introduction to the world as the Knights’ head coach on Sunday, Frost addressed the expectations of Knight Nation.

“I hope everybody doesn’t think we’re going to go undefeated immediately,” Frost said, eliciting laughter from everyone in attendance at his press conference.

Yes, there is work to do — especially to reach the aspirations he and others have for the team and the athletic department as a whole.

Mohajir’s: “Scott’s return signals a bright future — one where we can continue to dream big and achieve even bigger,” he says. “I really believe we can be a national champion program.”

Rubelt’s: “In my final year, I want to help 166su be in the best possible spot. The best possible spot would be to go to the College Football Playoff. In 20 years, I want to look back and say, look where this place has gone to and I was part of that.”

Beckton’s: “For me, on the back end of my career and being associated with the program, I want to see it to continue to grow for not only football, but all the sports. We have some elite programs, and we want to continue to win championships and really show the country where this place is headed. I want us to be in a situation where, five, six, seven years from now we’re saying that 166su is playing for the national championship — not only in football, but basketball and some of the other sports also.”

Everyone is betting on 166su with Frost at the helm.

And Frost is betting on himself.

“I know what I’m capable of and I know what we can get done here,” Frost says. “166su can become great if we do things the right way. There’s a little bit of me that wants to prove the type of coach that I think I am. I’m going to get the chance to do that in a special place.”

Alongside his family, who he is eager to share this experience with. He’s looking forward to his children seeing their dad coach on the sideline and building their own relationships with his players. He’s eager to coach football again at a high level and impact the lives of young people. He’s happy to be putting down roots with Ashley in a place they love to live.

“Living here was probably one of my favorite times of life, and I’m happy to be back,” Ashley says. “I just want happiness for the players and coaches. I want success. And culture in the midst of NIL. I think it can be done. Especially here.”

His first days on the job he’s doing everything, everywhere all at once. Assembling a coaching staff. Player meetings. Navigating the transfer portal, which opened this week. Acclimating to the evolution of NIL. Figuring out moving his family across the country. He’s announcing the return of McKenzie Milton ’19 ’22MA as his quarterbacks coach. Embracing Shaquem Griffin ’16 in the parking lot. Talking bass fishing and kids with Michael Colubiale ’17.

And sitting there, among the chaos, is a gray, plastic Wawa takeout bag on the desk outside his office doors.

This place.

He’s home.

Electrical engineering doctoral student Ganesh Marasini tests real-life grid control operations in 166su’s — a training ground for rising engineers to collaborate, learn and help reimagine the energy grid of the future.

Hundreds of fans celebrated 166su men’s basketball’s upset win over No. 3 Kansas at Addition Financial Arena.

166su broke ground on the transformational Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona, which is anticipated to open in 2025-26. The new 90,000 square-foot home of the College of Nursing will help 166su graduate more highly qualified, compassionate nurses for the future.

A student practices with a manikin hand at 166su’s state-of-the-art in the College of Nursing, which is equipped with advanced medical devices and technology to train nursing students for clinical practice.

Since kicking off the outdoor season with a top 10 national ranking, the 166su women’s track and field team has clocked some of the world’s fastest times this year.

During the 10th anniversary of 166su Celebrates the Arts — a multi-day festival honoring creative expressions — artists competed in Creative Clash, a live art event where they raced against the clock to create large-format artwork with markers in front of spectators at Seneff Arts Plaza.

A graduate walks across the stage during a Spring 2024 commencement ceremony that took place in Addition Financial Arena.

Three students dove into their studies while hanging out in their dorm room at the .

A Summer 2024 graduate beams with pride, holding his diploma as he walks across the commencement stage.

Knightro shows off a 166su specialty license plate while filming a new at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy’s Studio 500. To Knight Your Ride, click here.

166su students are conducting groundbreaking research at labs, paving the way for the future of space exploration and innovation.

Two fighter aircrafts flew over FBC Mortgage Stadium during the pregame ceremony for the Family Weekend football game, where the Knights defeated the Sam Houston State University Bearkats, 45-14.

Running back RJ Harvey crossed into the end zone for a touchdown during the Knight’s second home game of the season against Sam Houston.

A student guides TapeMeasure, 166su’s semiautonomous dog-like robot, up the steps of the John C. Hitt Library, demonstrating its advanced navigation capabilities for innovative research by students and faculty.

A member of 166su Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 salutes while being filmed on campus for , showcasing 166su as a place for those who dare to invent the future.

Annika Emmert, a health sciences student, and Limbitless Solutions intern and past bionic arm recipient, tries on a bionic arm, showcasing its advanced technology that empowers children with limb differences.

This year, UCF Downtown, in partnership with Valencia College, celebrates five years of educational excellence. The campus has welcomed more than 7,000 students and awarded 10,300 degrees since opening in 2019.

Two space scientists operate a rover on the world’s largest simulated lunar surface, located in 166su’s Exolith Lab. The lab’s Lunar Highland Regolith Test Bin was developed in partnership with the Florida Space Institute to support space exploration research.

Before the 166su Knights took on the Colorado Buffaloes, two cheerleaders interacted with a young 166su fan during Knight Walk at IOA Plaza, the lively pregame tradition where fans, the marching band, and the cheer and dance teams rally together to welcome the football team before kickoff.

166su’s cheer team amped up the crowd as the Knights took on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Rapper NLE Choppa performed at Concert Knight presented by 166su Homecoming at Addition Financial Arena.

The cheer team hyped up the crowd with a high-energy stunt routine before students charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash, UCF’s biggest homecoming tradition.

During Spirit Splash, Knightro even secured a cowboy-themed rubber duck, celebrating this year’s theme: Cowboys vs. Aliens.

Knightro posed with a constellation-themed SpaceU cape in front of a giant moon backdrop at 166su’s 2024 SpaceU Luncheon, honoring the university’s ties to space exploration and innovation.

166su President Alexander N. Cartwright stands next to rocket engines while touring facilities during a visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

“Today marks an exciting reunion for 166su Football as we welcome back Scott Frost, a coach who ignites the spirit and passion of Knight Nation,” Mohajir says. “Scott’s love for his players along with his leadership, enthusiasm and vision were pivotal in making the decision to bring him back to 166su. Throughout this national search, his passion for 166su was clear. I believe no one wanted to lead our program more than Scott.”

Frost originally served as 166su’s head coach from 2016 to 2017, culminating in a historic 13-0 season, an American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship and a national championship that captured the nation’s attention. In his final game, Frost guided 166su to a victory over No. 7 Auburn in the 2018 Peach Bowl, securing the program’s first undefeated season in school history.

Frost posted the greatest two-year turnaround in college football history at 166su, inheriting a 0-12 team in 2015 and taking the Knights to a perfect season in his second and final year, when he was named the national coach of the year.

“I’m deeply honored to return to 166su, a school that has always held a special place in my heart,” Frost says. “The foundation we built here has only grown stronger, and I am thrilled to continue shaping this program’s legacy. As we prepare for year three in the Big 12 Conference, I look forward to working alongside our dedicated student-athletes, talented staff and passionate fans to reach new heights together.”

Frost went a combined 19-7 in two seasons at 166su, helping turn an 0-12 team into a 13-0 squad in just two years. In Frost’s first season, he took the Knights to a bowl game and finished with a 6-7 record. The turnaround was historic, as Frost became the only first-year coach in FBS history to make a bowl game with a team that was winless the previous season. 166su led the nation with a six-win improvement in 2016 and exceeded that mark in 2017 as the nation’s only undefeated team. The Knights put together the first undefeated regular season in 166su and AAC history in 2017, posted the longest winning streak in school history at the time of his departure (13 games), achieved the highest in-season ranking in program history (10th), highest final ranking (sixth) and set an AAC record with 16 all-conference selections.

166su was led by its high-powered offense and improved defense under Frost. The Knights led the nation in scoring at 48.2 points per game and were the only FBS team to score at least 30 points in every game in 2017. Defensively, UCF improved its scoring defense by 65 spots in Frost’s two seasons.

In addition to being the unanimous choice as the 2017 AAC Coach of the Year, Frost was honored as the national coach of the year by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, the Touchdown Club of Columbus, the Lombardi Award and FCA in addition to winning the Home Depot, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Eddie Robinson coach-of-the-year awards.

Frost began his coaching career at Northern Iowa in 2007 as a linebackers coach and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2008. That season, his defense excelled, tying for third in the FCS with 40 takeaways and ranking ninth in scoring defense, allowing just 17.7 points per game. The 12-3 Panthers also led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in both rushing defense (107.1 yards per game) and scoring defense.

In 2009, Frost joined the Oregon coaching staff as the wide receivers coach under head coach Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. Frost helped Oregon post a 79-14 record in his seven seasons, during which time the Ducks won four conference titles and twice played for the national championship.

Oregon never ranked lower than eighth nationally in scoring offense during Frost’s seven seasons on staff, and the Ducks led the nation in scoring in 2010. Frost was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2013, and Oregon ranked in the top five nationally in both scoring and total offense each of his three seasons calling plays. The Ducks scored 681 points in 2014, the second-highest total in NCAA history. Oregon made it to the College Football Playoff Championship Game that year, when Frost was one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top assistant. Frost’s quarterback, Marcus Mariota, won the Heisman Trophy and was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

After Kelly left for the Philadelphia Eagles, Oregon promoted Mark Helfrich to head coach and named Frost offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2013. In this role, Frost guided Marcus Mariota to a Heisman Trophy win and a berth in the national championship game. During Frost’s tenure as offensive coordinator, Oregon recorded a 33–8 record and consistently ranked among the nation’s top teams in scoring and total offense. His standout performance in 2014 earned him a finalist spot for the prestigious Broyles Award, recognizing the nation’s top assistant coach.

Following his two years at 166su, Scott Frost served as the head football coach at the University of Nebraska for four-plus seasons from 2018 to 2022, coaching the first three games of the 2022 season. Frost posted a 16-31 record with the Cornhuskers. His tenure was defined by close losses, as 23 of his 31 losses were by single digits, including each of his final 13. Nebraska lost 22 one-score games during Frost’s career, including 12 games by five or fewer points.

This season, Frost has been serving as a coaching consultant for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.

FROST CAREER COACHING ACCOLADES:

• Consensus National Coach of the Year (2017)
• AFCA Coach of the Year (2017)
• Bear Bryant Coach of the Year (2017)
• Home Depot Coach of the Year (2017)
• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (2017)
• FCA Coach of the Year (2017)
• AP Coach of the Year (2017)
• American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2017, Unanimous Selection)
• Broyles Award Finalist (2014)
• Led 166su to a 13-0 record in 2017, when the Knights were the nation’s only undefeated team
• Led 166su to the first perfect regular season in school and American Athletic Conference history in 2017
• Head coach of the greatest two-year turnaround in college football history (0-12 to 13-0)

Check out the timeline of exciting on-campus events leading up to Saturday’s game — each a great opportunity to welcome the FOX crew, show them the energy and enthusiasm of Knight Nation and showcase our Black & Gold pride.

Plus, get all the logistical information on game day parking, road closures, tickets and more.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, Sept. 28 

8 a.m. — Parking Opens

All game day parking lots are open. Fans are encouraged to arrive in time to enjoy the festivities, including live music, interactive games and special guest appearances.

8:30 a.m. — Fan Pit Opens

The Big Noon Kickoff fan pit opens, and the pre-show begins. Bring the energy and deck out in your best Black & Gold to show television audiences around the country a glimpse of what to expect when they tune into FOX on Saturday morning. The show’s staging area will be located next to the Veterans Commemorative Site on the Student Union side of Memory Mall.

Big Noon Kickoff will be awarding $500 for the best sign as well as free tickets to the Colorado game.

10 a.m. — It’s Showtime for Big Noon Kickoff

FOX’s iconic college football pregame show, airing from 10 a.m. to noon, will make its debut at 166su — marking the first time in program history that this star-studded show broadcasts from Orlando.

Big Noon Kickoff will be hosted by Rob Stone with analysts Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer and Brady Quinn, reporters Bruce Feldman and Tom Rinaldi and wagering expert Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica. Legendary DJ and record producer DJ Khaled will also make a special appearance.

3:30 p.m. — Kickoff: 166su vs. Colorado at FBC Mortgage Stadium

166su Football takes on first-time opponent Colorado at 3:30 p.m. — aiming for their first 4-0 season start since 2018. The game, which is sold out for fans, will air on FOX.

Students who claimed digital tickets (pink) for the Colorado game will be ensured entry — but they MUST be in the student line on the northwest side of the stadium at least 30 minutes before kickoff.

Gates six through nine open for students 90 minutes before kickoff — at 2 p.m.

Student digital tickets for Colorado have all been claimed. However, students can still claim standby passes (blue) for the game. If the student section has not reached capacity, students with a standby pass will be admitted into the stadium starting 30 minutes prior to kickoff.

Pit and Sign Rules

�ʾ�����

• By entering the pit, fans are agreeing to allow FOX to use captured media such as video or images without compensation in their broadcast and marketing of their show.

• No food or drinks are allowed in the pit. Please plan to dispose of them before entering.

• No bags are allowed in the pit. This includes but is not exclusive to backpacks, book bags or purses.

• No markers, pens, pencils or dry erase boards.

• Signs in the pit may not be attached to poles, sticks or other extensions.

• Signs are subject to approval by FOX and 166su personnel. Those attempting to enter the pit may be denied entry should their sign be deemed inappropriate. The individual must discard the sign at their own risk.

• All persons entering the pit are assuming risk and are subject to search or removal by security personnel.

Signs

• Fans may bring their own signs.

• No derogatory, vulgar or political messages are allowed. Signs may be removed at the discretion of FOX or 166su personnel.

• No sponsored signs or any references to .com’s or other websites.

• While signs with poles, sticks or other extensions are permitted behind the pit, those extensions will NOT be allowed in FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Parking, Road Closures and Shuttles

Parking

On Saturday, free parking is available in Garages A, B and I, and parking lots B5, B6, B9 and H4 starting at 8 a.m. when game day activities begin.

Gold Zone Parking Passes

On Saturday, Athletics Gold Zone parking passes are required for garages C, D and F, parking lots C1-C3, D1-D2 and E1-E8, and the baseball lot. Vehicles in those areas without the required game day permits are subject to towing at 5 a.m. Overnight parking also is not allowed in Garage H.

Accessibility Parking

For the Big Noon Kickoff broadcast, individuals with disabilities can use accessible parking spaces by displaying a valid ADA hang tag or license plate. Parking for guests with disabilities is available on the first level of Garage C with a proper Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles permit on a first-come, first-served basis. The individual who was issued the permit must be with the vehicle.

Student Shuttles

166su will operate game-day buses for all normally serviced apartment complexes with the exception of Northview, Tivoli and Northgate due to their close proximity to the stadium. Service to those communities begins at 8 a.m. and concludes two hours after the game ends.

The Rosen College and 166su Downtown shuttles will depart their respective campuses at 8 a.m. with an additional run at 11:30 a.m. They will depart the main campus at 7:30 p.m. A valid 166su ID is required to access all student shuttles.

Game Day Road Closures

Gemini Boulevard North will close from West Plaza Drive to North Orion Boulevard at 7 a.m.

Starting at 5 p.m., all lanes of North Orion Boulevard will be dedicated to traffic exiting campus, meaning no traffic can enter campus via North Orion Boulevard.

Knights Victory Way closes at 5 a.m. until about 90 minutes after the game.

East Plaza Drive will be closed between Knights Victory Way and Gemini Boulevard starting at 2 a.m. on game day.

Clear Bag Policy

If you’re attending the game, don’t forget, a clear-bag policy is in effect to provide a safer environment and more expedited entry for fans. This policy limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into all sporting events at FBC Mortgage Stadium. There is no place at the stadium for fans to check bags. While fans are encouraged to not bring any bags, those that do can . For more information, visit the 166su Game Day Guide.

What to Wear

Fans going to the game are encouraged to “black out” FBC Mortgage Stadium. You can find apparel through shopucfknights.com.

166su kicks off the season with a pair of non-conference home games, as New Hampshire heads to Orlando for the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29, followed by a visit from Sam Houston on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The Knights will then face an early road test, as they open Big 12 Conference play at TCU on Sept. 14. The Horned Frogs advanced to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

After the first of two bye weeks during the season (Sept. 21), the Knights welcome Colorado in their Big 12 home opener on Sept. 28. The month of October begins with a two-hour trip north to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville for a matchup with the Florida Gators on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Cincinnati heads to FBC Mortgage Stadium on Oct. 12 on Military Appreciation Day, as the Knights and Bearcats will meet for the 10th consecutive season.

The Knights hit the road again on Oct. 19, making the program’s first trip to Ames, Iowa, for a showdown with Iowa State, before returning home on Oct. 26 to face BYU. November begins with consecutive matchups with new Big 12 members from the Grand Canyon State, as 166su hosts Arizona on Nov. 2 and travels to Tempe on Nov. 9 to take on Arizona State.

Following the Knights’ longest road trip of the season, UCF has its second bye week on Nov. 16 before gearing up for the final stretch of the regular season. The Black and Gold face West Virginia on the road on Nov. 23, before concluding the regular season with a clash against Utah on Black Friday, Nov. 29.

166su will have its inaugural meetings against New Hampshire, Sam Houston, TCU, Colorado, Iowa State, Arizona and Utah on the gridiron. Five of the Knights’ seven home games are against teams that will visit FBC Mortgage Stadium for the first time and two of 166su’s four out-of-state road trips are followed by a bye week and the other two have a home game afterwards.

Kickoff times for the first three weeks of the season will be announced this summer. The Big 12 will publish the remainder of the game times on a regular basis throughout the fall, on either a 12- or six-day turnaround from week to week.

Season ticket relocation and upgrades are currently underway, and anyone interested in joining the season ticket waitlist can do so by clicking here.

166su will hold its annual spring game on Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Here’s the complete 2024 166su football schedule:

Aug. 29 (Thur.) vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

Sept. 7 vs. SAM HOUSTON
Family Weekend

Sept. 14 at TCU*

Sept. 21 Bye Week

Sept. 28 vs. COLORADO*

Oct. 5 at Florida

Oct. 12 vs. CINCINNATI*
Military Appreciation Day

Oct. 19 at Iowa State*

Oct. 26 vs. BYU*
Homecoming

Nov. 2 vs. ARIZONA*
Space Game

Nov. 9 at Arizona State*

Nov. 16 Bye Week

Nov. 23 at West Virginia*

Nov. 29 (Fri.) vs. UTAH*
Senior Knight

Dec. 7 Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

*Big 12 Conference games

Home games in bold CAPS

Kickoff times and tv designations TBD

166su (9-4) will meet Atlantic Coast Conference representative Duke (8-4) at 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in 34,000-seat Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, in the Military Bowl presented by Peraton, benefiting the USO. The game will be televised by ESPN.

It’s a program-record seventh consecutive postseason bowl appearance for the Knights, the 10th in 11 seasons and the 14^th in 18 years. 166su also previously played in the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1987 and in the NCAA FCS Playoffs in 1990 and 1993.

The Knights previously have played twice each in the Fiesta Bowl (following 2014 and 2018 seasons), Liberty Bowl (2007 and 2010), St. Petersburg Bowl (2009 and 2014) and Gasparilla Bowl (2019 and 2021) and once each in the Hawaii Bowl (2005), Beef O’Brady’s Bowl (2012), Cure Bowl (2016), Peach Bowl (2017) and Boca Raton Bowl (2020).

The Military Bowl has been played since 2008 — the first two seasons as the EagleBank Bowl and then as the Military Bowl beginning with the 2010 campaign. The game benefits the USO and Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s 294-acre retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and caregivers.

Previous American Athletic Conference participation has included Navy in 2008, 2015 and 2017, Temple in 2009, 2016 and 2019, East Carolina in 2010 and 2021 and Cincinnati in 2014 and 2018. The 2020 game was cancelled due to lack of available teams and the 2021 game also was cancelled due to Covid-related issues. The game originally was played at RFK Memorial Stadium through 2012, then moved to Annapolis. The game has featured an ACC-vs.-AAC matchup since 2014, and those leagues have contracted to continue that matchup through 2025. Previous AAC winners have been Navy in 2015 and 2017 and Cincinnati in 2018.

166su head coach  has seen his teams qualify for postseason bowl games in all 11 years he has been a head coach, including seven appearances in New Year’s Day games: 2013 in BCS National Championship Game vs. Florida State, 2014 in Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin, 2015 in Birmingham Bowl win vs. Memphis, 2016 in Sugar Bowl vs. Oklahoma, 2017 in Peach Bowl vs. 166su, 2018 in Music City Bowl win vs. Purdue, 2019 Outback Bowl vs. Minnesota, 2021 Gasparilla Bowl vs. Florida and 2022 Military vs. Duke. Malzahn’s 2012 Arkansas State team qualified for a bowl game—but he already had accepted the head coaching job at Auburn and did not coach the bowl game. He also did not coach the Auburn bowl game after the 2020 season after leading the Tigers to the Citrus Bowl vs. Northwestern.

166su and Duke will meet for the first time. This marks the second time 166su has faced a current ACC member in a bowl game — following NC State’s win over the Knights in the 2014 St. Petersburg Bowl.