Iowa State vs. UCF: A Gridiron Collision

The upcoming football game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights marks a historic first encounter between the two programs. The game is scheduled for Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium and will be broadcast on FS1, with Trent Rush providing play-by-play commentary and Spencer Tillman offering analysis.

First Time's the Charm

This game represents the fifth of seven first-time opponents on the Knights’ 2024 schedule.

Offense vs. Defense

The matchup pits the Big 12 Conference’s top offense (UCF) against its best defense (Iowa State). UCF boasts a high-powered offense, leading the league and ranking 13th nationally with an average of 473.8 yards per game. In contrast, Iowa State's defense is a force to be reckoned with, allowing only 285.3 yards per game to opponents, ranking 15th in the nation and topping the conference.

Knights Aim for Top-10 Triumph

UCF is seeking its fourth top-10 victory in program history, with the most recent being the 2017 Peach Bowl against Auburn. A win here would also represent their first top-10 road win since the 2013 Louisville game, where the Knights rallied from a 28-7 deficit to secure the victory. Blake Bortles, later drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, spearheaded that comeback.

UCF's Rushing Prowess

The Knights have demonstrated a potent rushing attack, accumulating 1,608 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground through the first six games of the season. They rank fourth nationally with 268.0 rushing yards per game, surpassing the next-closest Power Four Conference team, Tennessee. UCF stands out as the only team in the nation to have rushed for at least 140 yards in 18 of its last 19 games, with 12 games exceeding 200 yards and six surpassing 250 yards.

Read also: ISU Football History

Explosive Plays

UCF leads the nation in explosive running plays, having recorded 56 runs of at least 10 yards. They also rank fourth nationally in offensive plays of 20 or more yards with 41. RJ Harvey, a key running back, leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth nationally with 23 rushing plays of at least 10 yards.

Stout Run Defense

UCF’s defense has proven to be formidable against the run, allowing just 91.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in the Big 12 and 12th nationally. Opponents have managed only 15 rushing plays of 10 yards or more against the Knights, the fewest in the league and eighth-best among FBS programs.

Recent History of Success

Since 2017, UCF has achieved 68 wins, tying for the 11th-most nationally by an FBS program and the most by a team from the state of Florida. Their record includes a 13-0 season in 2017, 12-1 in 2018, 10-3 in 2019, 6-4 in 2020, 9-4 in 2021, 9-5 in 2022, and 6-7 last season.

Scouting Iowa State

Iowa State enters the game as one of the nation’s 11 remaining undefeated teams in FBS, holding a 6-0 record and a 3-0 mark in Big 12 play. They secured a 28-16 victory against West Virginia in their most recent game.

Campbell's Tenure

Head coach Matt Campbell is in his ninth season with Iowa State, boasting a 59-48 record at the helm and a 94-63 overall record in his 13th season as a head coach. This game marks the first encounter between Campbell and UCF head coach Gus Malzahn.

Disciplined Cyclones

Iowa State is recognized as one of the least penalized teams in the nation.

Malzahn Against Ranked Opponents

Gus Malzahn-coached teams have demonstrated their mettle against tough competition, with Malzahn recording 23 wins against ranked opponents during his 13-year tenure as a head coach. At UCF, Malzahn holds a 3-3 record versus ranked opponents.

Looking Back at Iowa State's History

Iowa State's football program has a long and storied history, marked by both periods of success and challenges. The Cyclones' recent 6-0 start is their best since 1938, a feat that has sparked reflection on the program's past. Coach Matt Campbell emphasizes the importance of learning from both the successes and failures of previous teams.

In recent years, Iowa State has experienced moments of national relevance, striving for the Big 12 championship. The 2017 team displayed heart but lacked depth, while the 2019 team struggled to finish strong. The 2020 team, however, embodied the buy-in that Campbell seeks, achieving unprecedented success despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Game Breakdown: UCF vs. Iowa State

UCF's strength lies in its total offense, while Iowa State excels in total defense. The Knights' rushing attack, which leads the Big 12 with 268 yards per game, could be key to their success against Iowa State's run defense.

Read also: Get Your ISU Football Tickets

Iowa State holds an advantage in all three phases of the game, particularly when they have possession.

UCF's Football History

UCF's football program began in 1979 as an NCAA Division III program and ascended to Division I-A (now FBS) in 1996, becoming the first program to have played in all four divisions of football. As a Division I-AA program, the Knights made the 1990 and 1993 playoffs. Since joining FBS, they have made 15 postseason appearances, including winning the 2014 Fiesta Bowl and the 2018 Peach Bowl.

The program's origins can be traced back to a speech by university president Dr. Trevor Colbourn in 1979, who believed that a successful athletics program would enhance the university's reputation.

Early Years and Rise Through the Divisions

UCF played its first game in 1979 against St. Leo University, securing a 21-0 victory. In 1986, coach McDowell led the Knights to their first winning season since 1979. That same year, Ted Wilson became the first UCF player drafted into the NFL. In 1990, the program moved up to Division I-AA and achieved a 10-4 record, earning a trip to the I-AA playoffs.

In 1992, the university announced its move to Division I-A in 1996. During their final season in Division I-AA, the Knights were led by freshman Daunte Culpepper.

Transition to Division I-A

In 1996, UCF officially entered Division I-A, becoming the first football program to have played in four different NCAA divisions. After six years as an independent, UCF joined the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2002.

The O'Leary Era

Following a disappointing 2003 season, George O'Leary was named UCF's head coach in 2004. O'Leary led UCF to their first division title, conference championship game appearance, conference championship title, and bowl appearance. In 2005, UCF joined Conference USA and surprisingly won their first intra-conference game against Marshall, ending a 17-game losing streak.

In 2007, the team rebranded as the "UCF Knights" and inaugurated their new on-campus stadium. In 2009, UCF achieved its first victory over a nationally-ranked team, defeating No. 12 Houston. The Knights went on to win the 2010 C-USA championship game.

Joining the American Athletic Conference

In 2012, UCF joined the American Athletic Conference (AAC). In 2013, O'Leary led the Knights to a 12-1 season, a perfect intra-conference record, and a win against a Top-10 team, winning the inaugural AAC Championship. They secured a berth in the Fiesta Bowl, defeating No. 6 Baylor.

The Frost Era

In 2016, Scott Frost was named UCF's head coach. In 2017, UCF completed a 13-0 perfect season, winning the Peach Bowl over No. 7 Auburn.

Recent Developments

In 2023, UCF officially moved into the Big 12 Conference, becoming the first NCAA football program to play at every sanctioned level.

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