After wrapping up its non-conference schedule, UCF is preparing to embark on its third season in the Big 12 conference this week.
The Knights are set to travel to Kansas for a meeting against Kansas State (1-3, 0-1 Big 12) on Saturday.
Since joining the Power 4 conference in 2023, the Knights have encountered considerable challenges as they strive to establish themselves. Over the last two seasons, they’ve managed to secure only a 5-11 overall record, which includes a troubling 2-7 record when playing away from the welcoming atmosphere of Acrisure Bounce House Stadium.
UCF (3-0) has lost six of its last seven Big 12 contests, going back to last season.
The encouraging sign is that nearly half of its league contests have been decided by a touchdown or less, with the Knights holding a 2-6 mark.
To add to the challenge, UCF is dealing with the loss of offensive line coach Shawn Clark, who passed away suddenly on Sunday after suffering a medical emergency on Sept. 9.
“Every challenge we put in front of the kids, they’ve done a pretty good job with it,” said UCF coach Scott Frost. “This is a whole new challenge. Fighting through emotions of the week, going on the road, playing in front of an opponent’s crowd. Some new challenges that a lot of the guys, frankly, haven’t faced yet. So we’re trying to prepare them as well as we can, and it’s going to be a tough test and we’ve got to try to give ourselves a good chance.”
The last time UCF traveled to Manhattan, the Knights left with a disappointing 44-31 loss to the Wildcats.
UCF’s Scott Frost on the passing of Shawn Clark: ‘I miss my friend’
Alex Grinch knows exactly the challenges of playing in the Big 12.
Grinch spent five seasons as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma under then-coach Lincoln Riley before eventually becoming a defensive coach at UCF. The Sooners were 55-10 during that stretch, including a 3-2 mark against KSU.
“The opportunity to go on the road, you’ve got to embrace it,” said Grinch. “You’ve got to remind yourself why you decided to play Power Four football. Some players have played at this level, while others haven’t. Obviously, it was a great environment this past weekend, but they’re cheering for you, not against you. As a competitor, when the crowd is quiet, things are going well.”
“When you get on the road, you’ve got to be able to handle the other side of it. Adversity, as much as you feel it at home, kind of rains down on you on the road. You’ve got to decide if a bunch of guys in purple who are clapping, if that’s going to wreck you, or can you stick your chest out, your shoulders back, and kind of respond in those moments.”
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