The 2018 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and were led by first-year head coach Josh Heupel. The Knights competed as members of the East Division of the American Athletic Conference. The 2018 season marked the 40th season of football for the Knights program.
The 2018 campaign began with the Knights attempting to defend their AAC championship, as well as extend the nation's longest active winning streak, which stood at 13 games. For the first time in program history, the Knights were ranked in both the preseason AP Poll (#21) and preseason Coaches Poll (#23). By week 12, the team had risen into the top ten of the AP, Coaches, and CFP rankings, the first time they had been ranked in the top ten in all three during the regular season.
After winning their first twelve games of the season, UCF extended their school record winning streak to 25 consecutive games, dating back to the start of the 2017 season. The Knights also secured their second-consecutive undefeated regular season, and second-consecutive American Athletic Conference title by defeating Memphis in the 2018 AAC Championship Game. It was the fourth AAC conference title in six years for the Knights. Under Heupel, UCF continued to employ an explosive no-huddle offense. The Knights ranked 5th in the nation in total yards/game (522.7), and 6th in points/game (43.2).
In the last game of the regular season, starting quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a serious leg injury, and was out for the season. Milton would never play another down for the Knights. Backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. took over for the remainder of that game, and subsequently led the team to victory in the AAC championship. They were invited to their third NY6/BCS bowl in school history, the Fiesta Bowl. Mack struggled in the Fiesta Bowl, and without star quarterback Milton under center, their winning streak came to end. They were defeated by LSU, 40–32.
Preseason
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
AAC media poll
The AAC media poll was released on July 24, 2018, with the Knights predicted to win AAC East Division. They were also predicted to win the overall AAC championship.
Spring game
The 2018 UCF Spring exhibition game was held Saturday April 21 at Spectrum Stadium. The team was informally split into two squads for gameplay, team Black and team Gold. Team officials assigned points to the two squads at their discretion. Dylan Barnas kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired for a final score of 17-14.
Personnel
Coaching staff
Schedule
Schedule Source:
Game summaries
At UConn
The UCF Knights, ranked 21st in the preseason AP Poll, opened the season on the road on Thursday night against division rival UConn, a matchup once briefly known as the Civil Conflict. It was Josh Heupel's first game as head coach, and going into the game UCF held the longest active winning streak in the nation, at 13 games. The Knights routed the Huskies 56–17. Quarterback McKenzie Milton threw for 346 yards and tied a career best with five touchdown passes. The start of the game was marred after Knights defensive back Aaron Robinson was injured on the opening kickoff and removed by ambulance. Robinson spent the night in the hospital diagnosed with a concussion. Milton was rested in the fourth quarter after building a 49–10 lead. Backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. came in the game and broke off a 70-yard touchdown run, the longest play of the night. UCF extended their nation's best winning streak to 14 games. The Knights defense forced three turnovers, including a key interception at their own 10-yard line to snuff out a potential scoring drive by the Huskies just before halftime. The Knights also forced a turnover on downs, but ultimately received criticism for poor tackling. The victory was the Knight's 6th consecutive away game victory, tying a school record.
South Carolina State
The UCF Knights shutout South Carolina State 38–0 to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 15 games. Quarterback McKenzie Milton got off to a shaky start, throwing three interceptions in the first half. Milton managed to throw for 243 yards and one touchdown pass in the victory. The UCF rushing attack were the stars of the game, with 316 combined yards and four touchdowns. The Knights defense held the Bulldogs to only 80 yards passing, made four sacks and three interceptions. The Bulldogs never entered the red zone. It was UCF's third straight home-opener victory.