Evolution of UCF’s home football fields

The evolution of UCF’s home football fields:
Citrus Bowl (Currently Camping World Stadium)
112-59-1 (65%)
In 1979, UCF kicked off its football program with a 7-6 win over Fort Benning, marking the start of a 28-year partnership with the Florida Citrus Bowl. That season, the Knights finished 6-2 as an NCAA Division III independent, including 4-0 at home.
Key moments during that stretch:
1987: UCF hosted Troy State in the NCAA Division II Playoff semifinals with the Knights losing 31-10. It was the first postseason appearance for the program and it came in its fifth season since moving up to DII.
1988: UCF would get its revenge as the Knights knocked off No. 1 Troy State, 26-18, in front of more than 31,000.
UCF's George O'Leary leads his team onto the field for its home opener against West Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
1990: In its first season in the Division I-AA, or Football Bowl Championship Subdivision, UCF would upset No. 2 Youngstown State in the first round of the playoffs. The following week, the Knights would defeat William & Mary in the quarterfinal matchup at the Citrus Bowl before eventually losing to Georgia Southern in the semifinals.
1995: Daunte Culpepper made his college debut, throwing for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns in leading UCF over No. 5 Eastern Kentucky, 40-32, in the season opener.
1996: UCF opens its first season in the Football Bowl Subdivision with a 39-33 home win over William & Mary. The Knights finish 5-6 with all of their wins coming at home.
1997: A record crowd of 41,827 is on hand for UCF’s home opener against Idaho on Sept. 20.
1999: For the first time in program history, UCF hosted a top-25 team from the FBS when No. 22 Purdue traveled to Orlando to open the season. Quarterback Drew Brees led the Boilermakers to a 47-13 win over the Knights in front of 40,112.
2000: UCF hosted No. 8 Virginia Tech in the season finale in front of a school-record 50,220. The Hokies won, 44-21.
2002: The Knights play their first season in the Mid-American Conference, hosting Toledo, Akron, Kent State and Ohio.
2005: UCF captured the program’s first divisional crown, earning a chance to host the Conference USA Championship Game against Tulsa on Dec. 3.
2006: UCF won its final home game at the Citrus Bowl, a 31-22 victory against UAB on Nov. 25.
FBC Mortgage Stadium
77-26 (75%)
After nearly three decades of hosting games at the Citrus Bowl, UCF debuted Bright House Networks Stadium on Sept. 15, 2007. The Knights’ opened the venue against No. 6 Texas on national television with the Longhorns pulling out a 35-32 win in front of 45,622.
Some key moments during that stretch:
2007: UCF earned its first home win against Memphis on Sept. 22, a week after the Texas loss. The Knights would win six home games, including defeating Tulsa for the program’s first Conference USA title on Dec. 1.
2010: UCF claimed its second CUSA championship when the Knights hosted SMU in the title game on Dec. 4.
UCF Knights mascot Knightro gets the fans fired up during the second half of the Cincinnati Bearcats at UCF college football game at Bounce House stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel
UCF left the Citrus Bowl after building its own stadium in 2007. FBC Mortgage Stadium has been the home to some terrific football games. Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
2013: UCF went undefeated in its first season in the American Athletic Conference, including a 5-1 record at the Bounce House. The Knights would cap a record-setting season with a conference title and a win over No. 6 Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl.
2014: The Knights claimed their second straight AAC title after going 6-0 at home.
2017: Mike Hughes’ 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the final minute helped lift UCF over rival USF, 49-42 in front of 47,129. Two weeks later, the Knights would outlast visiting Memphis in overtime, 62-55, to claim the AAC championship.
2018: UCF would extend its home winning streak to 15 straight with its 56-41 win over Memphis to claim its second straight AAC title.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.