ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF and Florida have put the finishing touches on an agreement for a three-game football series set for 2024, 2030 and 2033.
It’s the first meeting between the two instate programs since 2006.
“As I’ve said since arriving, we were in desperate need for games on our upcoming schedule,” said UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir. “For the 2024 season specifically, we had three options. Play just 11 games instead of 12, play two FCS opponents, or play at Florida. We obviously made the best choice for our program and recruiting.
“Once we were able to secure this game in 2024, we then proceeded to add the home-and-home series at their earliest availability. I appreciate (Florida AD) Scott (Stricklin) for returning my call and helping us fill one of our two holes on the 2024 schedule.”
“Glad it could happen and looking forward to the series,” Stricklin said in a text to the Orlando Sentinel Tuesday.
UCF kicks off the series by traveling to Gainesville for a meeting on Oct. 5, 2024. Florida returns the favor with its first-ever trip to UCF on Sept. 14, 2030, and the Knights follow it up with another trip north for a Sept. 3, 2033 meeting.
The move was first reported by the Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi.
The two programs first met in 1999, with Florida coming away with a 58-27 win. The two met again in 2006 with the same result as the Gators blanked UCF, 42-0.
A series seemed unlikely a few years ago when then-UCF AD Danny White refused to schedule 2-for-1 series against Power 5 programs, citing competitive and financial reasons. White’s concern was about losing out on a financial windfall an additional home game would generate.
But when Mohajir arrived at UCF back in February, he realized the program was in desperate need of scheduling opponents. The Knights had 12 open dates over the next five seasons.
Florida is set to play Miami and UCF in 2024; Texas and UCF in 2030 and UCF in 2033.
“We were at the point where we would have played a one-off guarantee game at Florida, but we were fortunate that we were able to add a home-and-home series as well, starting here at the Bounce House,” added Mohajir. “It’s a bonus that it happens to be an in-state team that will create a tremendous amount of excitement for both fan bases.
“Finally, and most importantly, our players and coaches asked me multiple times about the potential of playing Florida. These guys are fired up to play quality competition. As I’ve said several times that we are going to do what is best for our program and what makes sense for us. Right now, this makes the most sense under the current scheduling environment and circumstances.”
