1988 UCF Knights football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1988 UCF Knights football Independent 6–5 Gene McDowell 4th Mike Kruczek 4th Bruce Bennett 3rd Florida Citrus Bowl The 1988 UCF Knights football season was the tenth for the team. It was Gene McDowell's fourth season as the head coach of the Knights. After making the playoffs the year before, UCF started off the season ranked in the top 5 of Division II.College Beat https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15157932/1988_ucf_knights/ Orlando Sentinel 18 Newspapers.com September 6, 1988 November 15, 2017 After defeating the defending Division II national champions Troy State in week 3, the Knights jumped to No. 2 in the nation,UCF can't win at the polls – 'mistake' means No. 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15157407/1988_ucf_knights/ Craig Ewing Orlando Sentinel 29 Newspapers.com September 20, 1988 November 15, 2017 a spot they held for three consecutive weeks.Knights tumble to 14th in NCAA Division II poll https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15157393/1988_ucf_knights/ Craig Ewing Orlando Sentinel 13 Newspapers.com October 11, 1988 November 15, 2017 The Knights faltered, however, and lost five of their last six games. McDowell's 1988 Knights finished the season with a 6–5 overall record and missed the Division II playoffs.http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/genrel/071007aab.html https://archive.today/20130120043726/http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/genrel/071007aab.html dead 2013-01-20 University of Central Florida Athletics Association UCF Develops Winning Ways: Part 4 of 8 – The History of UCF Football 2007-07-10 2011-12-24 2006 UCF Knights Football Media Guide The Knights competed as an NCAA Division II Independent. The team played their home games at the Citrus Bowl in Downtown Orlando. A movement on campus in 1988 suggested the team change its nickname from Knights to "Sharks", but it was rejected by the school.'Golden' era ends for UCF https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15101006/ucf_knights_2007/ Kyle Hightower Orlando Sentinel D3 Newspapers.com April 13, 2007 November 13, 2017 Schedule thumb|The Florida Citrus Bowl, the Knights' home field 1988 NCAA Division II NCAA Division II Football Committee Eastern September 2 5 w Bethune–Cookman Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 29–21 14,831 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-ucfs-willis-shows-some-sa/143899623/ Florida Today UCF's Willis shows some savvy in first college start September 3, 1988 March 22, 2024 Newspapers.com September 10 w 3 1988 West Georgia Braves West Georgia Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 33–14 11,270 September 17 w 3 Troy State 1 Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 26–18 31,789 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112917262/ucf-rallies-past-no-1-troy-state/ The Tampa Tribune-Times UCF rallies past No. 1 Troy State September 18, 1988 November 11, 2022 Newspapers.com September 24 w y 2 East Tennessee State Memorial Center Johnson City, TN 23–17 5,447 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-knights-sack-etsu/160617561/ The Orlando Sentinel Knights sack ETSU, raise record to 4–0 September 25, 1988 December 9, 2024 Newspapers.com October 1 w 2 1988 North Alabama Lions North Alabama Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 35–33 21,682 October 8 l 2 1988 New Haven Chargers New Haven Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 23–31 22,641 October 15 w 14 1988 Southern Connecticut Owls Southern Connecticut Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 24–16 22,439 October 22 l y 10 1988 Valdosta State Blazers Valdosta State Bazemore–Hyder Stadium Valdosta, GA 19–48 6,500 October 29 l Georgia Southern 6 (I-AA) Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 17–31 28,682 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-georgia-southern-pounds-uc/162186966/ Florida Today Georgia Southern pounds UCF 31–17 October 30, 1988 January 3, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 l y Liberty City Stadium Lynchburg, VA 7–24 3,530 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-liberty-drops-central/144578360/ The Tampa Tribune Liberty drops Central Florida 24–7 November 6, 1988 April 1, 2024 Newspapers.com November 12 l y Eastern Kentucky 8 (I-AA) Roy Kidd Stadium Richmond, KY 31–35 6,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-ucf-tumbles-despite/143992331/ The Orlando Sentinel UCF tumbles despite 28–7 halftime lead November 13, 1988 March 23, 2024 Newspapers.com Final 1988 Division II Cumulative Football Statistics Report (UCF) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/128/stats/12718 National Collegiate Athletic Association June 12, 2023 The "Noise Penalty" game thumb|left|A stone marker at FBC Mortgage Stadium memorializes the 1988 "Towel Game". #1 Trojans 6 6 6 0 #3 Knights 3 3 7 13 The Noise Penalty Game, also known as the Towel Game, is one of the most legendary games in the history of UCF Knights football. It took place on September 17, 1988 at the Citrus Bowl.Knights make noise pollsters should hear https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15148208/ucf_knights_noise_penalty_game/ Brian Schmitz Orlando Sentinel 37 Newspapers.com September 18, 1988 November 15, 2017https://ucf.rivals.com/news/top-15-memorable-games-at-the-citrus-bowl Top 15 Memorable Games at the Citrus Bowl Rivals.com UCF Sports Brandon Helwig November 23, 2006 November 15, 2017 The Knights, ranked No. 3 in Division II at the time, hosted No. 1 ranked Troy State,McDowell won't rest until Knights the best https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15148439/ucf_knights_noise_penalty_game/ Jerry Greene Orlando Sentinel 39 Newspapers.com September 17, 1988 November 15, 2017 and it wound up being the Knights' biggest win to-date in the young team's history. The Troy State Trojans had knocked UCF out of the Division II playoffs the year prior, and went on to win the 1987 Division II championship. Going into the game, both teams were undefeated at 2–0, and Troy State was riding a 15-game unbeaten streak.Troy State at UCF https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15148468/ Orlando Sentinel 44 Newspapers.com September 17, 1988 November 15, 2017 A then-school record crowd of 31,789 spectators arrived at the Citrus Bowl, anxious to see the if the Knights could seek revenge and upset Troy State, and ultimately elevate to the Division II No. 1 ranking in the nation. Prior to the game, yellow handkerchiefs were handed out to the fans to wave, printed with the words "Noise Penalty." The raucous crowd did their part, creating an intimidating environment for the Trojans players all night long. The UCF fans were so loud at one point, Trojans quarterback Bob Godsey could not call plays. Officials stopped the game seven times, and eventually penalized the Knights a timeout due to the excessive crowd noise. In addition, stadium officials announced that fans had consumed 100 kegs of beer during the game. First half UCF scored first with a 45-yard field goal by Blake Holton. The score was set up by a fumble by Troy State quarterback Bob Godsey, recovered by Steve Spears at the Trojans 46 yard line. Troy State then took the lead 6-3 with a 78-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Godsey, but the extra point failed.Knights shed the past, stake a claim for No. 1 (Part 1) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15148218/ucf_knights_noise_penalty_game/ Craig Ewing Orlando Sentinel 37 Newspapers.com September 18, 1988 November 15, 2017Knights shed the past, stake a claim for No. 1 (Part 2) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15148228/ucf_knights_noise_penalty_game/ Craig Ewing Orlando Sentinel 46 Newspapers.com September 18, 1988 November 15, 2017 In the second quarter, UCF defender Jimmy Goodman intercepted Godsey at the Trojans 18 yard line, setting up a 34-yard field goal by Travis Allen, and a 6-6 tie. The tie was short-lived, however, as Godsey connected with Kenny Eddenfield for a 61-yard touchdown. UCF blocked the extra point, and Troy State led 12-6 at halftime. Second half Troy State extended their lead to 18-6 early in the third quarter after a 1-yard touchdown by Tony Young. A two-point conversion failed. Later in the third quarter, UCF quarterback Shane Willis threw a 55-yard pass to Arnell Spencer, all the way down inside the Trojans 13-yard line. After that, Willis executed a trick play, pitching the ball to wide receiver Sean Beckton, who threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Spencer in the left corner of the endzone to make the score 18-13. The Knights blocked a Trojans punt, and recovered it in the endzone, but officials ruled the ball down at the 1 yard line. They failed to score on the drive though when Willis threw an interception. The UCF defense forced another punt, and the Knights got the ball at the Trojans 43 yard line. In just 14 seconds, the Knights were in the endzone after a 28-yard reception by Shawn Jefferson, followed by a 1-yard touchdown run by Gil Barnes. Leading 19-18, the Knights were not fooled by a Trojans fake punt attempt. Facing 4th down & 3 at their own 27, Troy State tried to run up the middle for a first down, but was stuffed for no gain. Five plays later, UCF was in the endzone again, with an 8-yard touchdown run by Mark Giacone. UCF won by the final score of 26-18. Days later, the Knights were voted No. 2 in the NCAA Division II poll, and they would remain there for three weeks. References UCF Category:UCF Knights football seasons UCF Knights football