UCF Knights Host USF During “Rivalry Week” On Thanksgiving At 7:30 p.m.
By UCFKnights.com // August 14, 2015
will air nationally on ESPN
ORLANDO, FLORIDA (UCFKnights.com) – After devouring Thanksgiving dinner, UCF fans can work off those extra pounds by heading to Bright House Networks Stadium.
The American Athletic Conference announced on Thursday that UCF’s home game vs. USF will air nationally on Thanksgiving night, Nov. 26, on ESPN at 7:30 p.m.
The Knights will be showcased on a day when football takes over the nation, and kick off a weekend which is dubbed “Rivalry Week” in college football.
“ESPN called regarding a possible change from an early Friday game to a Thursday night game on national TV. All parties concerned agreed to the change,” Interim Director of Athletics and Head Coach George O’Leary said.
“I think it’s great for both teams who are playing as well as the American Athletic Conference for this game to be featured on a huge stage like this.”
“We are excited to have the USF at UCF game on Thanksgiving evening to kick off Rivalry Week,” said American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco.
“It is fitting that this outstanding rivalry game will be played in prime time on Thanksgiving and available to a national ESPN television audience.”
It will mark back-to-back weeks UCF is featured in a marquee game for the ESPN family of networks. The Knights will host East Carolina on ESPN on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Pregame festivities will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
“We’ll be encouraging our fans to swap out their turkey for beef as the main course of their Thanksgiving Day tailgate,” Assistant Director of Athletics for Fan Development Jimmy Skiles said.
“Hosting our fans on a national holiday will certainly provide a memorable backdrop to our annual rivalry game with USF.”
The contest will be the regular-season finale for both the Knights and Bulls, while it marks UCF’s first game on Thanksgiving in school history.
