The 2023 seasons for both teams will begin when the Knights take the field against Kent State on August 31.
This will be the first time these two teams have met since 2004, in which they split the series 2-2. This will be their fifth meeting.
Knights
Both junior running back Johnny Richardson and senior quarterback John Rhys Plumlee are expected to have breakout seasons for the Knights. Under the direction of head coach Gus Malzahn, UCF is entering its third season and has already achieved two consecutive nine-win seasons and a conference title appearance.
In Malzahn’s two seasons, the Knights are 17-2 when they rush for 160 yards or more and 1-7 when they don’t reach 160, so they’ll try to get the running game going early.
The UCF Knights are the youngest program to ever join the ranks of a Power five league, thus fans are eager for the upcoming season, which will be the first for the Knights in the Big 12 conference.
I have never been more excited to be a UCF fan than I am right now, UCF Sophomore Ryan Hays had to respond when asked how he feels about the move to the Big 12.
Kent State
Coach Kenni Burns, who is in her first season in charge, will lead the Golden Flashes onto the field. After Kent State concluded the 2022 season 5-7 overall and 4-4 in conference play, he is attempting to revive the program. The past few seasons, Burns has coached the running backs at Minnesota and Western Michigan.
Since 1987, the program has only had four winning seasons. Fans shouldn’t expect success right now, according to College Football News, noting the new offensive coordinator, the loss of important offensive line players, and the new coaching staff’s increased emphasis on the defense.
Kent State must establish their running game rhythm early if they want to be successful. The Golden Flashes were 5-1 last season when they averaged 4.5 carries per rush and 0-7 when they averaged less.
Future
The two teams will compete on FS1 from the bounce house on August 31 at 7 p.m.
Preston Hays 