2023 UCF Knights football team explained

Year:	2023
Team:	UCF Knights
Sport:	football
Conference:	Big 12 Conference
Short Conf:	Big 12
Record:	6–7
Conf Record:	3–6
Head Coach:	Gus Malzahn
Hc Year:	3rd
Off Coach:	Darin Hinshaw
Oc Year:	1st
Off Scheme:	Spread option^[1]
Def Coach:	Addison Williams
Dc Year:	1st
Codef Coach1:	David Gibbs
Codc1 Year:	3rd
Def Scheme:	4–2–5
Stadium:	FBC Mortgage Stadium
Bowl:	Gasparilla Bowl
Bowl Result:	L 17–30 vs. Georgia Tech

The 2023 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by Gus Malzahn in his third year as the Knights head coach. The team played their home games at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

UCF officially moved into the Big 12 Conference for the 2023 season. In doing so, the Knights became the first NCAA football program to play at every sanctioned level: Division III, Division II, Division I-AA, Division I-A (Independent), Group of Five, and Power Five.^[2]

In their first season as part of the Big 12, the Knights jumped out to a 3–0 start, including a last-second victory at Boise State. However, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee suffered an ankle injury in the final minute of the Boise State game, which would sideline him for a month. Redshirt sophomore Timmy McClain took over at quarterback as the Knights entered the conference portion of their schedule. In their first intra-conference home game, the Knights jumped out to a 35–7 lead over Baylor, but blew a 28-point lead, and lost 36–35. The Knights suffered a five-game skid, slipping to 3–5. With Plumlee back to full strength in November, the Knights won three of their last four games to finish the regular season 6–6 overall (3–6 in the Big 12), and became bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive season. Of the four newcomers that joined the Big 12 for 2023 (BYU, Cincinnati, and Houston being the others), UCF finished with the best record, and was the only one bowl-eligible.

Offseason

Transfers

Incoming

Timmy McClain	QB	South Florida
Trent Whittemore	WR	Florida
Chauncey Magwood	WR	Kentucky
Drake Metcalf	IOL	Stanford
Gage King	LS	Arizona State
Fred Davis II	DB	Clemson
Amari Kight	OT	Alabama
Marcellus Marshall	OT	Kent State
DeJordan Mask	S	Texas State
Jireh Wilson	S	East Carolina
Bula Schmidt	IOL	Fresno State
Decorian Patterson	DB	Middle Tennessee State
Rian Davis	LB	Georgia
Xavier Williams	QB	Charlotte
Isaiah Paul	LB	Washington State
Shaun Peterson	DE	FIU
Derrick LeBlanc	DL	Oklahoma
Corey Gammage	WR	Marshall
Gunnar Smith	QB	South Florida
Kriston Esnard	PK	Tulane

• Source:^{[3] [4]}

Outgoing

Mikey Keene	QB	Fresno State
Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste	LB	Ole Miss
Davonte Brown	CB	Miami (FL)
Philjae Bien Aime	CB	North Alabama
Ryan O'Keefe	WR	Boston College
Terrence Lewis	LB	Hutchinson CC
Trevion Shadrick-Harris	CB	Eastern Washington
Jordan Johnson	WR	Iowa Western
Ah'Mare Lee	DB	Florida A&M
Joey Gatewood	WR	Louisville
Karlis Bailey-Vice	DE	NA
Anthony Williams	RB	Stephen F. Austin
Andrew Osteen	P	Mississippi State
Matt Lee	C	Miami (FL)
Miguel Maldonado	OL	NA
Tommy Castellanos	QB	Boston College
Ethan Mort	OL	NA
Keahnist Thompson	DL	Weber State
Justin Hodges	DB	Arkansas State
Branden Jennings	LB	Hinds CC
Quan Lee	WR	Florida A&M
Jaden Francois	DB	Utah State
Will Bohn	QB	Southeastern

Preseason

Spring game

The 2023 UCF spring exhibition game was played on Friday April 14 at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The team was split into two squads for gameplay, the Knights and the 'Nauts.^[5]

Award watch lists

A total of eight players were named to the preseason All-Big 12 mentions,^[6] and eight players were named to the Senior Bowl watchlist.

	Jason Johnson^[7]	LB	Sr.
	Lokahi Pauole^[8]	OG	Sr.
	John Rhys Plumlee^[9]	QB	Sr.
	Jason Johnson^[10]	LB	Sr.
	Jason Johnson^[11]	LB	Sr.
	RJ Harvey^[12]	RB	Sr.
	Mitch McCarthy^[13]	P	So.
	John Rhys Plumlee^[14]	QB	Sr.
	Corey Gammage^[15]	WR	Sr.
	Colton Boomer^[16]	K	So.
	Jason Johnson^[17]	LB	Sr.
	Lokahi Pauole^[18]	OG	Sr.
	John Rhys Plumlee^[19]	QB	Sr.
Listed in the order that they were released

Big 12 preseason poll

The Big 12 preseason poll was released on July 6.^[20] UCF was voted 8th in the conference. First place votes in parentheses.

Big 12 media poll
1	Texas (41)	886
2	Kansas State (14)	858
3	Oklahoma (4)	758
4	Texas Tech (4)	729
5	TCU (3)	727
6	Baylor	572
7	Oklahoma State (1)	470
8	UCF	463
9	Kansas	461
10	Iowa State	334
11	BYU	318
12	Houston	215
13	Cincinnati	202
14	West Virginia	129

Schedule

The 2023 season is UCF's first as a member of the Big 12 Conference.^[21] The conference utilizes a nine-game conference schedule, with three out-of-conference games annually.^[22] Furthermore, the conference requires at least one of the three out-of-conference games to be against a Power Five opponent.^[23] UCF successfully petitioned for a first-year, one-time waiver to count their game at Boise State as their Power Five non-conference opponent, taking into account Boise State's recent successes and status as a top Group of Five team.^[23]

• Source:^[24]

Game summaries

Kent State

See also: 2023 Kent State Golden Flashes football team.

Statistics	KENT	UCF
First downs	15	32
Total yards	240	723
Rushing yards	95	389
Passing yards	145	334
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	28:34	31:26

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing	Michael Alaimo	12–31, 145 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Gavin Garcia	18 carries, 45 yards
Receiving	Chrishon McCray	3 receptions, 61 yards
UCF	Passing	John Rhys Plumlee	22–30, 281 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Johnny Richardson	12 carries, 100 yards
Receiving	Xavier Townsend	5 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD

Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw for 281 yards and rushed for 90 yards as the Knights routed Kent State 56–6 on Thursday night. The game marked UCF's first football game as a member of the Big 12. The Knights won their 8th consecutive season opener.

at Boise State

See also: 2023 Boise State Broncos football team.

Statistics	UCF	BSU
First downs	23	22
Total yards	530	384
Rushing yards	258	173
Passing yards	272	211
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	28:03	31:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing	John Rhys Plumlee	16–24, 272 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Rushing	John Rhys Plumlee	11 carries, 73 yards
Receiving	Kobe Hudson	5 receptions, 134 yards
Boise State	Passing	Taylen Green	9–19, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Ashton Jeanty	24 carries, 115 yards
Receiving	Ashton Jeanty	5 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD

Colton Boomer kicked a 40-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Knights over the Boise State Broncos by the score of 18–16. Boomer went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a school record-tying 55 yarder in the second quarter. Late in the game, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee suffered a leg injury which will require him to miss multiple weeks.^[25]

No. 24 (FCS) Villanova

See also: 2023 Villanova Wildcats football team.

Statistics	NOVA	UCF
First downs	11	31
Total yards	228	600
Rushing yards	84	251
Passing yards	144	349
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	27:08	32:52

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Villanova	Passing	Connor Watkins	9-23, 144 yards, 1 INT
Rushing	Deewil Barlee	7 carries, 39 yards
Receiving	Jaylan Sanchez	1 receptions, 45 yards
UCF	Passing		20–28, 321 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Rushing		14 carries, 85 yards, 2 TD
Receiving	Kobe Hudson	6 receptions, 147 yards

Timmy McClain started at quarterback for the injured John Rhys Plumlee. McClain threw for 321 yards, and the UCF offense racked up 600 total yards as the Knights soundly defeated FCS #24 Villanova by the score of 48–14.

at Kansas State

See also: 2023 Kansas State Wildcats football team.

Statistics	UCF	KSU
First downs	19	32
Total yards	407	536
Rushing yards	143	255
Passing yards	264	255
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	25:37	34:23

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing	Timmy McClain	14-24, 264 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Johnny Richardson	6 carries, 76 yards
Receiving	Kobe Hudson	6 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TD
Kansas State	Passing	Will Howard	27-42, 255 yards, 1 INT
Rushing	D. J. Giddens	30 carries, 207 yards, 4 TD
Receiving	D. J. Giddens	8 receptions, 96 yards

UCF traveled to Kansas State for their first-ever intra-conference game in the Big 12. Timmy McClain once again started at quarterback, throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns. The Knights defense, however, could not contain the Wildcats offense, and lost by the score of 44–31. D.J. Giddens rushed for 207 yards and 4 touchdowns, and caught 8 balls for another 86 yards. The game was tied 24–24 midway through the third quarter, but Kansas State put the game away with 20 unanswered points. Ten penalties for 80 yards on UCF, two turnovers in Wildcats territory, plus a lopsided time of possession were factors in the loss.

Baylor

See also: 2023 Baylor Bears football team.

Statistics	BU	UCF
First downs	22	18
Total yards	446	469
Rushing yards	153	235
Passing yards	293	234
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	35:31	24:29

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Baylor	Passing	Blake Shapen	21-34, 293 yards, 1 INT
Rushing	Richard Reese	16 carries, 100 yards
Receiving	Monaray Baldwin	7 receptions, 150 yards, 1 TD
UCF	Passing	Timmy McClain	13-25, 234 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Johnny Richardson	6 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Javon Baker	3 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD

UCF hosted Baylor for their first intra-conference home game in the Big 12. The game was a rematch of the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. The Knights blew a 35–7 lead. Baylor scored a go-ahead field goal with 1:21 remaining and won 36–35. On the first play from scrimmage, Johnny Richardson broke free for a 79-yard touchdown run, and after two more quick scores, UCF jumped out to an early 21–0 lead. The Knights eventually built a 35–7 lead, which they held late in the third quarter. Baylor scored 29 unanswered points, including two touchdown passes from Blake Shapen, and a 72-yard fumble return for a touchdown. UCF got the ball back one last time with 1:21 remaining. Colton Boomer's 59-yard field goal attempt fell no good as time expired, and Baylor escaped with the victory.

at Kansas

See also: 2023 Kansas Jayhawks football team.

Statistics	UCF	KU
First downs	21	25
Total yards	371	490
Rushing yards	202	399
Passing yards	169	91
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	25:35	34:25

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing	Timmy McClain	12-15, 136 yards, 2 TD
Rushing	R. J. Harvey	16 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Javon Baker	4 receptions, 85 yards
Kansas	Passing	Jason Bean	8-12, 91 yards, 1 TD
Rushing	Devin Neal	12 carries, 154 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Luke Grimm	2 receptions, 41 yards

John Rhys Plumlee returned to start at quarterback, but played for only three drives in the first half. Timmy McClain took over and played the rest of the game. Kansas dominated UCF, jumping out to a 31–0 lead, and pulling away for a 51–22 victory. The Jayhawks put up 399 yards rushing, while UCF was held to a season-low 371 total yards.

at No. 6 Oklahoma

See also: 2023 Oklahoma Sooners football team.

Statistics	UCF	OKLA
First downs	20	30
Total yards	397	442
Rushing yards	149	189
Passing yards	248	253
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	30:16	29:44

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing	John Rhys Plumlee	16–30, 248 yards, 2 TD
Rushing	R. J. Harvey	23 carries, 101 yards
Receiving	Javon Baker	5 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	25–38, 253 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Marcus Major	18 carries, 82 yards
Receiving	Nic Anderson	5 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD

UCF traveled to Norman to take on Oklahoma. Facing former quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Knights nearly upset the No. 6 ranked Sooners. UCF led 23–17 after three quarters, before Oklahoma scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to take a 31–23 lead. John Rhys Plumlee, back in the starting lineup, drove the Knights 75 yards in 9 plays. On 4th & 10 at the Oklahoma 12, Plumee found Javon Baker for a 12-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 31–29 with 1:16 left in regulation. UCF's two-point conversion attempt was snuffed out, and the Sooners held on for the victory.

West Virginia

See also: 2023 West Virginia Mountaineers football team.

Statistics	WVU	UCF
First downs	25	27
Total yards	450	463
Rushing yards	286	189
Passing yards	164	274
Turnovers	1	4
Time of possession	36:06	23:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
West Virginia	Passing	Garrett Greene	14-23, 156 yards
Rushing	C.J. Donaldson	17 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Devin Carter	3 receptions, 47 yards
UCF	Passing	John Rhys Plumlee	25–36, 274 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Rushing	RJ Harvey	14 carries, 100 yards
Receiving	Kobe Hudson	3 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD

UCF hosted West Virginia on Homecoming. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, as the Mountaineers won 41–28. West Virginia put up 286 yards rushing, and quarterback Garrett Greene ran for three touchdowns.

at Cincinnati

See also: 2023 Cincinnati Bearcats football team.

Statistics	UCF	CIN
First downs	23	23
Total yards	393	515
Rushing yards	228	248
Passing yards	165	267
Turnovers	0	2
Time of possession	27:03	32:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing	John Rhys Plumlee	13–23, 165 yards
Rushing	R. J. Harvey	20 carries, 164 yards, 3 TD
Receiving	Javon Baker	4 receptions, 93 yards
Cincinnati	Passing	Emory Jones	16–22, 217 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Corey Kiner	19 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Braden Smith	6 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD

UCF traveled to rival Cincinnati, and won their first conference game in Big 12 conference play. Running back R. J. Harvey had a career-best 164 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Harvey scored a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Knights up 28–20 with 2:41 left in regulation. Emory Jones then drove the Bearcats 75 yards in five plays for a touchdown, making the score 28–26 with 1:27 left. Jones' two-point conversion pass was tipped and fell incomplete, and the Knights held on to win 28–26.

No. 15 Oklahoma State

See also: 2023 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team.

Statistics	OSU	UCF
First downs	15	21
Total yards	277	592
Rushing yards	52	293
Passing yards	225	299
Turnovers	4	1
Time of possession	25:15	34:45

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oklahoma State	Passing	Alan Bowman	19–36, 225 yards, 3 INT
Rushing	Ollie Gordon II	12 carries, 25 yards
Receiving	Rashod Owens	6 receptions, 85 yards
UCF	Passing	John Rhys Plumlee	11–18, 299 yards, 3 TD
Rushing	R. J. Harvey	24 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD
Receiving	Javon Baker	4 receptions, 112 yards

UCF hosted then-No. 15 Oklahoma State in their seventh annual "Space Game". The Knights dominated the game from start to finish, and routed the Cowboys 45–3. John Rhys Plumlee threw for 299 yards and three touchdown passes, while R.J. Harvey rushed for a career-best 206 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The UCF defense held Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (the nation's leading rusher) to only 25 yards, and forced four turnovers. The Knights won their first Big 12 intra-conference home game, and first Big 12 intra-conference game against an existing/original team from the conference. After the game, fans stormed the field to celebrate.

UCF jumped out to a quick 14–0 lead in the first quarter. R.J. Harvey got the Knights on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run on their first drive. Ollie Gordon then fumbled in Knights territory, which led to a 7-yard touchdown pass from John Rhys Plumlee to Kobe Hudson. Braeden Marshall picked off Alan Bowman's deflected pass, which led to a Knights field goal early in the second quarter. A huge downpour then pelted the stadium, but it did not slow down the Knights offense. Plumlee found Kobe Hudson for a 75-yard touchdown, and the Knights led 24–0 at halftime.

Oklahoma State got the ball to start the third quarter. The Cowboys drove to the Knights 7 yard line, but had to settle for a field goal. On the ensuing drive, Plumlee was sacked and fumbled, giving the Cowboys the ball at the UCF 24. Two plays later, however, Demari Henderson tipped and intercepted a pass by Bowman at the 8 yard line. It was Bowman's third interception of the game, and Henderson's second such of the game defensively. On the very next play from scrimmage, R.J. Harvey took a handoff and blasted through for a 92-yard touchdown run to put the Knights up 31–3. UCF would tack on two more scores, and defeated Oklahoma State by the final score of 45–3.

at Texas Tech

See also: 2023 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.

Statistics	UCF	TTU
First downs	23	25
Total yards	486	446
Rushing yards	238	190
Passing yards	248	256
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	31:57	28:03

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing	John Rhys Plumlee	16–32, 248 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	John Rhys Plumlee	13 carries, 84 yards
Receiving	Javon Baker	4 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD
Texas Tech	Passing	Behren Morton	21–35, 256 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Tahj Brooks	24 carries, 182 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Xavier White	3 receptions, 77 yards

UCF traveled to take on Texas Tech. The Knights jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter, with two touchdown runs by R. J. Harvey. With 5:30 left in the fourth quarter, UCF was trailing 24–17. John Rhys Plumlee found Javon Baker wide open for a 71-yard touchdown pass. But Colton Boomer's game-tying extra point attempt was blocked and sailed wide left. The Red Raiders were able to run out the clock and held on for a 24–23 victory.

Houston

See also: 2023 Houston Cougars football team.

Statistics	HOU	UCF
First downs	17	23
Total yards	259	476
Rushing yards	94	223
Passing yards	165	253
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	27:04	32:56

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Houston	Passing	Donovan Smith	12–20, 161 yards, 1 TD, I INT
Rushing	Stacy Sneed	3 carries, 33 yards
Receiving	Joseph Manjack IV	4 receptions, 74 yards
UCF	Passing	John Rhys Plumlee	23–27, 253 yards, 1 TD
Rushing	R. J. Harvey	21 carries, 136 yards, 2 TD
Receiving	Kobe Hudson	9 receptions, 98 yards

UCF hosted Houston in their regular season finale. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw for 253 yards and running back R. J. Harvey rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns, as the Knights defeated the Cougars 27–13. With the win, UCF finished the regular season 6–6 overall (3–6 in the Big 12), and became bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive season. The UCF offense put up 476 total yards, but the kicking game struggled for the second week in a row. Colton Boomer missed two field goals and an extra point.

Gasparilla Bowl

See also: 2023 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team and 2023 Gasparilla Bowl.

UCF faced Georgia Tech in the 2023 Gasparilla Bowl. It was the sixth meeting between the two teams. UCF had won the most recent meeting 27–10 in 2022. This was UCF's sixth appearance in the Gasparilla Bowl (formerly known as the St. Petersburg Bowl). George O'Leary, formerly the head coach of both teams, took part in the pre-game coin toss.

The Knights jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. John Rhys Plumlee threw touchdown passes to Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson. UCF was looking to go up 21–0 when their drive was snuffed out as R.J. Harvey fumbled away the ball at the Georgia Tech 42. The turnover led to a Yellow Jackets field goal, and was a turning point in the game. The Knights defense held Georgia Tech to only 87 yards passing, but the Yellow Jackets put up 284 yards on the ground. Trailing 17–3, Georgia Tech scored 27 unanswered points, and won by the score of 30–17.

Awards and milestones

National honors

• FWAA Cheez-It National Team of the Week: (Week 11)^[26]
• Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week (Week 11): Gus Malzahn^[27]
• Manning Award Star of the Week — John Rhys Plumlee (Week 11)^[28]
• On3 True Freshman All-American: John Walker^[29]

All-Americans

All-American Honors

Javon Baker								HM
RJ Harvey								HM
Tremon Morris Brash								HM
HM = Honorable mention.

All-Big 12 Conference

Big 12 All-Conference Honors

Javon Baker	1st^[30] ^[31]	2nd^[32]	1st^[33]	1st ^[34]	S^[35]	1st
Colton Boomer	HM
Tylan Grable	HM			HM
Demari Henderson	HM
RJ Harvey	HM		2nd	1st		2nd
Kobe Hudson	HM		2nd	2nd		2nd
Lee Hunter	HM			3rd		2nd
Jason Johnson	2nd	2nd	2nd	2nd		1st
Malachi Lawrence	HM
Nikai Martinez				HM
Marcellus Marshall				2nd
Tremon Morris Brash	1st	1st	1st	1st		1st
Lokahi Pauole	HM					2nd	S^[36]
John Rhys Plumlee	HM
Corey Thornton	HM			HM
Xavier Townsend	HM			HM		3rd
Walter Yates III				HM
HM = Honorable mention.S = Selected, indicating they were selected for a singular "best of" All-Big 12 team.

Big 12 Conference honors

• Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 2): Colton Boomer
• Co-Offense Player of the Week (Week 10): R. J. Harvey^[37]
• Defensive Player of the Week (Week 11): Demari Henderson^[38]
• Tre'mon Morris-Brash (Defensive Lineman of the Year - Honorable Mention)^{[30] [31]}
• Randy Pittman Jr. (Offensive Freshman of the Year - Honorable Mention)^{[30] [31]}
• John Walker (Defensive Freshman of the Year - Honorable Mention)^{[30] [31]}

School records

• Longest field goal (ties school record): 55 yards, Colton Boomer (at Boise State), September 9, 2023^[39]

Notes and References

1. Web site: ourlads.com . 2023 Central Florida Knights Football Depth Chart . September 28, 2023.
2. News: Inside UCF's rise from D-III to Big 12 and what's next: 'This could be the premier place'. The Atlantic. Chris. Vannini. July 12, 2023. September 19, 2023.
3. Web site: 2023 UCF Football Transfer Portal . May 22, 2023 . On3 . en.
4. Web site: 2023 College Football Transfer Portal . 2022-12-28 . 247Sports . en.
5. News: 2023 UCF Football Spring Game Set for April 14. UCFKnights.com. Daniel. Forcella. January 24, 2023. March 27, 2023.
6. News: 2023 All-Big 12 College Football Preseason Team and Individual Honors. collegefootballnetwork.com. August 1, 2023. October 28, 2023.
7. News: Johnson is UCF nominee for Campbell trophy. UCFKnights.com. August 29, 2023. October 28, 2023.
8. News: 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List. polynesianfootballhof.com. August 17, 2023. October 28, 2023.
9. News: Allstate Sugar Bowl Announces Manning Award Watch List=Allstatesugarbowl.com. August 15, 2023. October 28, 2023.
10. News: Johnson tabbed to Bednarik award watch list. UCFKnights.com. August 14, 2023. October 28, 2023.
11. News: The 2023 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List. athlonsports.com. August 11, 2023. October 28, 2023.
12. News: Harvey featured on Doak Walker watch list. UCFKnights.com. August 9, 2023. October 28, 2023.
13. News: McCarthy named to Ray Guy award watch list. UCFKnights.com. August 8, 2023. October 28, 2023.
14. News: Plumlee Tabbed to Davey O'Brien Award Watch List. UCFKnights.com. August 8, 2023. October 28, 2023.
15. News: Gammage named to Biletnikoff award watch list. UCFKnights.com. August 7, 2023. October 28, 2023.
16. News: Boomer named to Lou Groza award watch list. UCFKnights.com. August 2, 2023. October 28, 2023.
17. News: Johnson featured on Bronko Nagurski watch list . UCFKnights.com. August 1, 2023. October 28, 2023.
18. News: Pauole selected to the outland trophy watch list. UCFKnights.com. August 1, 2023. October 28, 2023.
19. News: Plumlee named to Maxwell Award Watchlist. UCFKnights.com. July 31, 2023. October 28, 2023.
20. Web site: Texas Selected Atop Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll . Big12Sports.com. July 6, 2023 .
21. News: Cincinnati, Houston, UCF reach exit deal with American, to join Big 12 in 2023. ESPN. Andrea. Adelson. June 10, 2022. June 10, 2022.
22. News: Jason. Beede . UCF adds old conference foe, Kent State, to 2023 schedule. Orlando Sentinel. January 24, 2022. January 25, 2022.
23. News: Jason. Beede . Marc Daniels: It's More Than A Schedule For UCF. WYGM 96.9 The Game. February 1, 2023. March 27, 2023.
24. Web site: 2023 UCF Football Schedule . 2022-12-28 . FBSchedules.com . en-US.
25. News: UCF QB John Rhys Plumlee expected to miss multiple weeks, including Big 12 opener, with leg injury. CBS Sports. Shehan. Jeyarajah. September 11, 2023. September 17, 2023.
26. News: UCF is Cheez-It National Team of the Week. Sportswriters.net. November 13, 2023. November 14, 2023.
27. News: Malzahn named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week. ucfknights.com. November 13, 2023. November 14, 2023.
28. News: UCF's John Rhys Plumlee earns Manning Award Quarterback of the Week . crescentcitysports. November 27, 2023 . November 16, 2023 .
29. News: Walker named On3 True Freshman All-American. Justin. Wilson. UCFKnights.com. November 30, 2023. December 1, 2023.
30. News: UCF's 2023 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced. Justin. Wilson. UCFKnights.com . November 29, 2023. December 1, 2023.
31. News: 2023 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced. Big12sports.com. November 29, 2023. December 1, 2023.
32. News: TD-scoring Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat and Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon top AP All-Big 12 team. Stephen. Hawkins. Associated Press. December 8, 2023. December 15, 2023.
33. News: College Football: 2023 Postseason All-Big 12 Team. Steven. Lassan. Athlon Sports. December 15, 2023. December 19, 2023.
34. News: 2023 All-Big 12 College Football Team and Individual Honors. Cam. Mellor. College Football Network. December 2, 2023. December 11, 2023.
35. News: 2023 College Football All-Big 12 Team: Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II, Texas DI T'Vondre Sweat and more. Max. Chadwick. Pro Football Focus. December 11, 2023. December 19, 2023.
36. News: USA TODAY Sports Network 2023 All-Big 12 football team: Gordon, Sarkisian earn top awards. Danny. Davis. Austin American-Statesman. November 29, 2023. December 15, 2023.
37. News: UCF, OSU and UT Receive Big 12 Football Week 10 Awards. Big 12 Conference. Big12sports.com. November 6, 2023. November 6, 2023.
38. News: UCF, ISU, OU and TTU Claim Big 12 Football Week 11 Awards. Big12Sports.com. November 13, 2023. November 14, 2023.
39. News: UCF, OU and UT Earn Big 12 Football Week 2 Awards. Big 12 Conference. Big12sports.com. September 11, 2023. September 11, 2023.