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UCF Knights Open Season Thursday Night vs. Kent State at FBC Mortgage Stadium

By  //  August 31, 2023

kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET on FS1

After a full decade as a member of the American Athletic Conference, UCF debuts as a member of the Big 12 Conference when the Knights host Kent State at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in the 2023 season opener.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (UCF Knights) – After a full decade as a member of the American Athletic Conference, UCF debuts as a member of the Big 12 Conference when the Knights host Kent State at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in the 2023 season opener.

GAME INFORMATION
Date: Thursday, August 31
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports 1
Talents: Eric Collins, Devin Gardner
Radio: FM 96.9/AM 740 The Game
Spanish Radio: UCFKnights.com, YouTube.com/UCFKnights
Live Stats: click here

A UCF WIN WOULD…
• Mark the eighth consecutive season the Knights have opened the season with a win.
• Give the Knights their 34th win in home openers, currently with a 33-10 all-time mark.
• Give Gus Malzahn a perfect 12-0 record in home openers as a head coach.
• Give Gus Malzahn his second win over Kent State as a head coach, as he defeated KSU at his previous institution on Sept. 14, 2019.
• Give UCF its third win over Kent State all-time in the first meeting with the Golden Flashes since Nov. 23, 2004.

UCF enters the 2023 season with new coordinators on both sides of the football, as Addison Williams was promoted to defensive coordinator in December 2022 and former Knights standout and assistant coach Darin Hinshaw was tabbed offensive coordinator in January 2023.

Williams, in his third season with UCF, has helped the Knights turn what once was a youthful secondary into one of the most improved and productive units on the roster.

Veteran Knight cornerbacks Corey Thornton (26 career starts) and Brandon Adams played a noteworthy role in UCF standing third in the American Athletic Conference in team pass efficiency defense in 2022. That duo also helped UCF rank fifth nationally in red-zone defense.

A native of Punta Gorda, Florida, Hinshaw has served as an offensive coordinator in four different conferences during his 23-year coaching tenure. His offenses have set numerous school records, helped win conference championships, earned 10-win seasons and garnered several all-conference and All-America honors.

Hinshaw’s offenses have finished among the nation’s top 10 in passing, rushing and total offense.

Additionally, Ernie Sims was hired as linebackers coach in December 2022 and Kam Martin was tabbed running backs coach in March 2023.