The University of Central Florida Knights became ranked for the first time in school history today, earning the No. 23 spot in USA Today Coaches poll following UCF’s 40-33 win over the Houston Cougars Friday.
According to the coaches poll, the UCF Knights (7-2 overall, 5-0 in Conference USA) are the best in Florida, beating out the Florida Gators (6-3) which was ranked No. 24 — another historic first.
Like us on Facebook to get more Knights football news & exclusive video all season:
The Knights also snagged the program’s first national ranking in Sunday’s Associated Press poll. In that poll, the Knights came in at No. 25, one spot behind No. 24. UF. The coaches poll was released before the AP poll, so for about an hour or so the Knights could claim they were best in the state without any other polls stating otherwise.
After those first two polls came out, UCF got more good news: The Knights were awarded a Top 25 spot in the Harris Interactive poll as well. UCF received 109 votes in that poll, behind No. 23 Florida.
UCF Coach George O’Leary gave an interview with a UCF athletics writer about the historic ranking, where he made clear the Knights need to keep their eyes on the prize: winning the conference championship.
“It’s very difficult when you’re not in the top 25 from the start of the season to get there, and when you climb in it shows a lot of progress by your football team,” UCF head coach George O’Leary said. “I think it’s great for the kids, I really do. They don’t talk a lot about it because they are interested in one goal and that’s the conference championship. But when nice things happen like (getting ranked) it means you are doing some nice things on the field. It’s nice to honored by your fellow coaches.
“I think it’s great for the school and for the football program to be ranked. But the key is to continue winning. That’s the name of the game.”
KnightNews.com is waiting for Bowl Championship Series rankings to come out later today to see where the Knights stack up in those rankings too.
Check back for continuing coverage of this major news: Knights Make History.
KnightNews.com’s Ryan Bass was among the first to report this story as was the Orlando Sentinel’s Iliana Limón.
