UCF Knights to Host New Hampshire in Season Opener

The UCF Knights are set to kick off their 2024 football season against the New Hampshire Wildcats, marking their second year in the Big 12 after a 6-7 record last season. Head coach Gus Malzahn, entering his fourth year, aims to improve on last year's performance, leveraging the talent of transfer quarterback KJ Jefferson and star running back RJ Harvey, who rushed for 1,416 yards last season. New Hampshire, coming off a 6-5 season under coach Ricky Santos, has a new quarterback in Seth Morgan and will look to build on their competitive showing last year against FBS teams. UCF holds a strong historical advantage, having not lost a season opener since 2015, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. The Knights, with a focus on a run-heavy offense, will face a Wildcats team that has struggled in close games but hopes to leverage returning talent on both sides of the ball. This matchup represents an important opportunity for UCF to establish momentum for the season ahead.