2001 UCF Golden Knights football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 2001 UCF Golden Knights football UCF Golden Knights logo.png 150 Independent 6–5 Mike Kruczek 4th Robert McFarland 1st Gene Chizik 4th Florida Citrus Bowl The 2001 UCF Golden Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. Their head coach was Mike Kruczek, who was in his fourth season with the team. The season marked the Golden Knights last season as an independent. In 2002, UCF joined the Mid-American Conference in the East Division, the first conference for the Golden Knights since ascending to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in 1996. On opening day, UCF traveled to No. 19 Clemson. The Tigers outlasted UCF, and won by the score of 21–13. UCF quarterback Ryan Schneider threw for 297 yards, but an ineffective rushing game was the difference in the game. UCF scored a touchdown with 8:09 left in regulation, but a missed extra point and a punt on their next possession allowed Clemson to run out the clock and preserve the win.Central Florida vs. Clemson On October 13, UCF blew out Liberty 63–0, the largest shutout victory in school history.Liberty vs. Central Florida The Golden Knights scored on their first six possessions, jumping out to a 42–0 halftime lead. In UCF's final game as an Independent school, the Golden Knights earned a 31–0 win over Louisiana–Lafayette in their second shutout of the year, and fourth blowout win since October. Finishing with a winning record of 6–5, UCF did not receive a bowl invitation. The game against Louisiana–Lafayette was originally scheduled for Saturday September 15, but was rescheduled to November 24 due to 9/11.UCF moves Saturday's game to Nov. 24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-ucf-football-2001/206281246/ Orlando Sentinel Alan Schmadtke 30 Newspapers.com September 14, 2001 September 19, 2026 Schedule thumb|The Citrus Bowl, the Knights home field. 2001 AP Eastern September 1 1:00 pm l y Clemson 19 Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC 13–21 81,482 September 8 12:00 pm l y Syracuse Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY SUN 10–21 35,938 September 22 3:30 pm w y Tulane Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA SUN 36–29 17,497 September 29 12:00 pm l y Virginia Tech 8 Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA SUN 14–46 53,662 October 6 6:00 pm w UAB Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL CSS 24–7 30,820 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90560304/defense-rules-in-ucf-win/ The Orlando Sentinel Defense rules in UCF win October 7, 2001 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com October 13 6:00 pm w Liberty Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 63–0 17,103 October 20 4:00 pm w y Louisiana–Monroe Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 38–6 23,001 October 27 5:05 pm l y Utah State Romney Stadium Logan, UT 27–30 16,135 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-ags-nearly-implode/178005607/ The Salt Lake Tribune Ags nearly implode but still win October 28, 2001 August 2, 2025 Newspapers.com November 3 6:00 pm w Akron Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 57–17 15,779 November 10 2:00 pm l y Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR 20–27 61,527 November 24 1:00 pm w Louisiana–Lafayette Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 31–0 12,264 References UCF Category:UCF Knights football seasons UCF Golden Knights football