1990 UCF Knights football team

The 1990 UCF Knights football team was the twelfth season for the team, and UCF football's first season in Division I-AA (now commonly known as 'FCS'). In their first year in the division, Gene McDowell led the Knights to a 10–4 record, a program best, and a trip to the I-AA playoffs. UCF would make it to the semifinals, and became the first school in history to qualify for the I-AA playoffs in its first season of eligibility.^[1]

1990 UCF Knights football
NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal, L 7–44 at Georgia Southern
Conference	Independent
Record	10–4
Head coach	Gene McDowell (6th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike Kruczek (6th season)
Defensive coordinator	Don Pollard (1st season)
Home stadium	Florida Citrus Bowl
Seasons ← 1989 1991 →

1990 NCAA Division I-AA independents football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 2 Youngstown State ^			–					11	–	1	–	0
No. 7 William & Mary ^			–					10	–	2	–	0
No. 3 Georgia Southern ^			–					9	–	3	–	0
No. 18 UCF ^			–					9	–	3	–	0
Liberty			–					7	–	4	–	0
Samford			–					6	–	4	–	1
James Madison			–					5	–	6	–	0
Nicholls State			–					5	–	6	–	0
Arkansas State			–					3	–	7	–	1
Western Kentucky			–					2	–	8	–	0
Towson			–					2	–	9	–	0
Northeastern			–					1	–	10	–	0
^ – NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee poll

During the 1990s, UCF would compile an overall record of 67–46–0 (.593) during the decade.^[1][2]

Schedule

The Florida Citrus Bowl, the Knights' home field

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 1	Troy State		Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL	W 16–10	22,462	[3]
September 8	at No. 3 Eastern Kentucky		Hanger Field Richmond, KY	L 12–24	19,200	[4]
September 15	at Bethune–Cookman		Municipal Stadium Daytona Beach, FL	W 42–9	9,500
September 22	at Memphis State		Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN	L 28–37	21,385
September 29	Kentucky State		Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL	W 49–0	6,055
October 6	at Samford		Seibert Stadium Birmingham, AL	W 37–16	5,463
October 20	No. 11 Georgia Southern		Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL	L 17–38	16,258
October 27	Southern Illinois		Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL	W 49–14	14,052	[5]
November 3	Liberty		Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL	W 28–6	14,107	[6]
November 10	Slippery Rock		Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL	W 24–21	16,208
November 17	Texas Southern	No. 18	Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL	W 63–6	16,328	[7]
November 24	at No. 2 Youngstown State	No. 18	Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH (NCAA Division I-AA First Round)	W 20–17	12,500
December 1	No. 7 William & Mary	No. 18	Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL	W 52–38	20,067
December 8	at No. 3 Georgia Southern	No. 18	Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal)	L 7–44	13,183
Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee Poll released prior to the game

References

1. "Division I-AA Football Comes to Orlando: Part 5 of 8 – The History of UCF Football". University of Central Florida Athletics Association. July 18, 2007. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
2. "2011 UCF Football Yearbook". University of Central Florida Athletics Association. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
3. "Defense saves the Knights". The Orlando Sentinel. September 2, 1990. Retrieved November 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Eastern Kentucky tops UCF 24–12". Florida Today. September 9, 1990. Retrieved April 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Weaner, Phil (October 28, 1990). "Central Florida scorches Salukis". The Southern Illinoisan. p. D33. Retrieved December 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Giacone, Central Florida's defense put out Flames 28–6". The Palm Beach Post. November 4, 1990. Retrieved April 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "UCF awaits bid after 63–6 romp". The Orlando Sentinel. November 18, 1990. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.