| Year: | 2008 |
| Team: | UCF Knights |
| Conference: | Conference USA |
| Division: | East |
| Short Conf: | C-USA |
| Record: | 4–8 |
| Conf Record: | 3–5 |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Off Coach: | Tim Salem |
| Oc Year: | 5th |
| Dc Year: | 1st as DC, 5th overall |
| Stadium: | Bright House Networks Stadium (Capacity: 45,323) |
The 2008 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach was George O'Leary, in his fifth season with the team. For the second season, the UCF Knights played all of their home games at Bright House Networks Stadium on the school's main campus in Orlando, Florida. The Knights sought unsuccessfully to defend their Conference USA football championship.
Coach O'Leary and his coaching staff announced these people to the 2008 UCF Knights Football Team on Wednesday February 6, 2008; as it was the National Football Signing Day:
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Athlete
Marquee Williams (Vanguard – Ocala, Florida)
Defensive Backs
Chad Keys (St. Paul's School – Covington, Louisiana)
Defensive Ends
Jarvis Gathers (Feather River C.C. – Andrews, South Carolina)
Robert Pritchard (North Gwinnett – Suwanee, Georgia)
Defensive Tackle
Theo Goins (Hightower – Fort Bend, Texas)
Chris Martin (Choctawhatchee – Fort Walton Beach, Florida)
Linebackers
Josh Linam (Tavares – Tavares, Florida)
Loren Robinson (Lyman – Longwood, Florida)
David Williams (Cardinal Gibbons – Ft. Lauderdale)
Offensive Lineman
Chad Hounshell (Lake Catholic – Mentor, Ohio)
Jarien Moreland (Glade Central Community – Belle Glade, Florida)
John Oliver (Troup – LaGrange, Georgia)
Steven Robinson (Lincoln – Tallahassee, Florida)
Running Backs
Brandon Davis (Peachtree Ridge – Suwanee, Georgia)
Brynn Harvey (Largo – Largo, Florida)
Vance King (Stockbridge – Stockbridge, Georgia)
Latavius Murray (Onondaga Central – Nedrow, New York)
Tight Ends / Hybrid Back
Brendan Kelly (Shoreham-Wading River – Shoreham, New York)
Kyle Madden (Harrison – Kennesaw, Georgia)
Quarterback
Rob Calabrese (East Islip – Islip Terrace, New York)
On August 22, 2008, wide receiver Richard Jackson announced that he had completed his enrollment at UCF, completing a transfer from the University of Notre Dame. Jackson was a star prospect from East Ridge High School in nearby Clermont, Florida.[1] He received a hardship waiver from the NCAA on September 5, giving him immediate eligibility.[2]
The Knights began their season at home against South Carolina State. Making his first start at quarterback, Michael Greco had a difficult time trying to find his groove, completing 9-of-16 passing for 90 yards, and running 13 times for 57 yards. But the defense remained strong and carried the team, holding the Bulldog offense to less than 22 minutes of play time, with Jason Venson catching an interception.
See also: 2008 South Florida Bulls football team and UCF–USF football rivalry. Greco's struggles continued when the Knights hosted South Florida for the last match in their "War on I-4" rivalry. While the Bulls scored first, Joe Burnett answered back with a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Knights defense held as well as they could, holding the Bulls to 10 points in the first half and allowing the Knights to tie the game going into halftime. However, the Knights had difficulty maintaining their discipline, and it cost them in penalties. The Knights had 12 penalties for 148 yards, one of which negated a touchdown on an interception in the second quarter.
Although it appeared the Bulls would begin to run away with the game, scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter, Michael Greco finally awoke toward the end of the fourth quarter, leading two touchdown drives in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime. However, they came up short on a fourth-down run on their turn, failing to answer a quick South Florida touchdown.
Although sluggish for most of the game, the Knights offense did not turn the ball over. After their first two games, UCF has a +3 turnover ratio.
The unanticipated struggles for the Bulls dropped them back to their preseason #19 ranking in the AP poll despite the win.
See also: 2008 Boston College Eagles football team.
See also: 2008 UTEP Miners football team.
See also: 2008 SMU Mustangs football team.
See also: 2008 Miami Hurricanes football team.
See also: 2008 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team.
See also: 2008 East Carolina Pirates football team.
See also: 2008 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team.
See also: 2008 Marshall Thundering Herd football team.
See also: 2008 Memphis Tigers football team.
See also: 2008 UAB Blazers football team.