UCF Will Play UConn to Open 2018 Season

For the first time in the school's Football Bowl Subdivision history, the UCF Knights will play a conference opponent in their season-opener.

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University of Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton awaits the snap during a 34-27, 2018 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win over the Auburn Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (Photo by Tommy Cardinal / New Day Review)

For the first time in the school’s Football Bowl Subdivision history, the University of Central Florida will open its season with a conference opponent.

On Tuesday, the Knights released their 2018 schedule, revealing the University of Connecticut will be UCF’s first opponent of the season. In total, barring any weather interference akin to the 2017 season, the Knights are slated to play seven home games and five away games.

In 2017, UCF played six regular-season games at Spectrum Stadium and five more on the road. Two of the Knights’ games were rescheduled, as another was altogether cancelled.

The 2018 season will also slightly differ from last year’s, as there are more non-Saturday games scheduled for the Knights. UCF will open its season on a Thursday, host Temple University on Thursday in Week 10 and will play two Friday games.

Additionally, the Knights will compete with two Atlantic Coast Conference teams: the UNC-Chapel Hill Tar Heels and the Pittsburgh Panthers. First, UCF will travel to face North Carolina in Week 3 and will then host Pitt in Week 5.

UCF 2018 Schedule

THURSDAY, Aug. 30
**UCF Knights at UConn Huskies, TBA

  • All-time series: UCF, 3-2

SATURDAY, Sept. 8
UCF Knights vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs, TBA

  • All-time series: UCF, 2-0

SATURDAY, Sept. 15
^UCF Knights at North Carolina Tar Heels, TBA

  • All-time series: n/a

FRIDAY, Sept. 21
UCF Knights vs. FAU Owls, TBA

  • All-time series: UCF, 1-0

SATURDAY, Sept. 29
UCF Knights vs. Pittsburgh Panthers, TBA (family weekend)

  • All-time series: Pitt, 1-0

SATURDAY, Oct. 6
**UCF Knights vs. SMU Mustangs, TBA

  • All-time series: UCF, 7-1

SATURDAY, Oct. 13
**UCF Knights at Memphis Tigers, TBA

  • All-time series: UCF, 11-1

SATURDAY, Oct. 20
**UCF Knights at ECU Pirates, TBA

  • All-time series: ECU, 10-6

THURSDAY, Nov. 1
**UCF Knights vs. Temple Owls, TBA (ESPN)

  • All-time series: UCF, 3-2

SATURDAY, Nov. 10
**UCF Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen, TBA (homecoming)

  • All-time series: UCF, 1-0

SATURDAY, Nov. 17
**UCF Knights vs. Cincinnati Bearcats, TBA

  • All-time series: UCF, 2-1

FRIDAY, Nov. 23
**UCF Knights at USF Bulls, TBA

  • All-time series: USF, 6-3

Key

** = American Athletic Conference game
^ = first-time opponent


For more on the Knights, as they prepare for the 2018 campaign, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.

To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com