PHILIP ROSSMAN-REICH

Iowa State guard Keshon Gilbert (10) starts offense as he is defended by Central Florida guard Dallan Coleman (6) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday Feb. 11, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
Keshon Gilbert leads Iowa State’s balanced attack with 15 points in 77-65 win over UCF
Keshon Gilbert scored 15 points and Joshua Jefferson had 13 points and eight rebounds to lead No. 10 Iowa State to a 77-65 win over UCF. Tamin Lipsey scored 11 points and Curtis JOnes scored 10 off the bench for Iowa State (19-5, 9-4 Big 12).
 
Houston forward Ja'Vier Francis, right, goes to the basket as Central Florida center Moustapha Thiam (52) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
J’Wan Roberts lifts No. 10 Houston to last-second win over UCF
J’Wan Roberts made a go-ahead layup with 1.1 seconds left to lift No. 10 Houston to a 69-68 win over UCF. Roberts powered his way to the basket off an inbounds pass, beating UCF’s shot blockers to the rim.
 
Kansas forward KJ Adams Jr. (24) drives against Central Florida guard Keyshawn Hall (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
No. 7 Kansas posts 2nd-largest margin of victory in program history in 99-48 win over UCF
Hunter Dickinson scored 21 of his 27 points in the first half and No. 7 Kansas posted the second-largest margin of victory in program history, beating UCF 99-48 in a Big 12 game.
 
Illinois running back Josh McCray, center, raises the championship trophy after his team's win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game as head coach Bret Bielema, right, looks on, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
No. 21 Illinois beats No. 14 South Carolina 21-17 in the Citrus Bowl for its 10th win of the season
Josh McCray scored his second touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to give No. 21 Illinois the lead, and the Illini held on to beat No. 14 South Carolina 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
 
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, FIle)
No. 14 South Carolina and No. 21 Illinois each aim to finish with 10 wins at Citrus Bowl
Both No. 14 South Carolina and No. 21 Illinois are on the verge of rare feats for their program as they prepare to meet at the Citrus Bowl to cap their season.
 
MVP Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, left, celebrates with his trophy as teammate defensive lineman J.R. Singleton (58) cheers after Iowa State defeated Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 18 Iowa State caps record-setting season with Pop-Tarts Bowl win
Iowa State was 84 yards away from a historic 11th victory. It was a situation the team faced before. It was a situation the team had been preparing for since January.
 
Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) looks for an open receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Left out of the playoff, Miami and Iowa State have something still to play for in Pop-Tarts Bowl-
In the new age of college football with the 12-team playoff, there were concerns over whether the bowl games would still mean anything.
 
Nebraska coach Scott Frost speaks to reporters after the NCAA college football team's practice, on Sept. 8, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File)
Scott Frost, UCF excited about reunion and school’s future in Big 12
UCF promises a new era in its football program. The Knights are just returning to a familiar face to lead the way.
 
Nebraska coach Scott Frost speaks to reporters after the NCAA college football team's practice, on Sept. 8, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File)
Scott Frost returning to coach UCF two years after an unsuccessful run at Nebraska
Scott Frost is heading back to UCF to take over the program he coached to its greatest season. UCF gave Frost his first head coaching job in 2016 and the next season the Knights went 13-0 with a Peach Bowl win over Auburn and No. 6 final ranking.
 
Utah quarterback Luke Bottari (15) throws a pass as he is pressured by Central Florida defensive end Daylan Dotson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Defensive touchdowns power Utah to season-ending 28-14 win over UCF
Utah forced three turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns, including a 60-yard pick-6 by Zemaiah Vaughn, and the Utes closed their season with a 28-14 win over UCF.
 
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) breaks to the basket through teammates and Chicago Bulls during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
Jalen Suggs scores 31 points and the Orlando Magic beat the Chicago Bulls 133-119
Jalen Suggs scored a career-high 31 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored a season-high 24 on 6-for-10 shooting from 3-point range to help the Orlando Magic beat the Chicago Bulls 133-119.
 
Central Florida center Moustapha Thiam (52) and center Elijah Hulsewe (8) celebrate with teammates and fans after defeating Texas A&M in an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
UCF opens season with court-storming 64-61 win over No. 13 Texas A&M
Darius Johnson scored 24 points and assisted on a go-ahead slam dunk with less than a minute remaining to lead UCF to a 64-61 win over No. 13 Texas A&M.
 
Central Florida quarterback Dylan Rizk (10) passes the ball against Arizona during the first half in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
Refreshed UCF offense snaps five-game losing streak, keeps Arizona reeling
 
Central Florida head coach Gus Malzahn, right, stands next to a referee, left, while a play is reviewed during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
UCF’s Malzahn fires defensive coordinator and will no longer calls offensive plays for Knights
In the middle of a five-game losing streak, UCF coach Gus Malzahn made some major changes to the coaching staff, firing defensive coordinator Ted Roof and ceding play-calling responsibility to offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr.
 
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, Center, is sacked by Central Florida's defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
No. 11 BYU beats UCF 37-24, remains undefeated in Big 12 heading into second off week
No. 11 BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns and added another on the ground to lead the Cougars to a 37-24 win over UCF. BYU controlled the clock, holding the ball for nearly 40 minutes.
 
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff warms up before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)
Undefeated No. 11 BYU, a slight underdog against UCF, isn’t clamoring for respect but is earning it
No. 11 BYU is unbeaten but not taking anything for granted. The reality of college football is that one loss can derail championship aspirations, and the Cougars know there’s little room for error in their bid to win the Big 12 championship and secure a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff.
 
Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Cincinnati quiets Big 12 rival UCF offense for 19-13 victory
Cincinnati silenced a high-powered UCF offense to score their second Big 12 victory of the season. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw for 241 yards, helping the Bearcats overcome two interceptions.
 
Central Florida running back RJ Harvey (7) leaps over Sam Houston State defensive back Da'Veawn Armstead, bottom, for a rushing touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
RJ Harvey’s 4 TDs power UCF past Sam Houston, 45-14
The UCF Knights again turned to their ground game to power their offense in a non-conference game. Running back RJ Harvey led the charge with three first-half touchdowns and 126 rushing yards and four touchdowns in all in UCF’s 45-14 win over Sam Houston.
 
Central Florida quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against New Hampshire in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP)
UCF runs to 57-3 season-opening win over New Hampshire
UCF relied on its vaunted ground game to overcome a slow offensive start and roll past New Hampshire 57-3 in their season-opening win.
 
Houston guard Jamal Shead (1), guard Emanuel Sharp (21) and guard L.J. Cryer (4) celebrate the team's win over Central Florida in an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 1 Houston tops UCF 67-59 to clinch at least a share of Big 12 title in 1st season in conference
L.J. Cryer scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half to lift No. 1 Houston to a 67-59 comeback victory over UCF that clinched at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season title in the Cougars’ first season in the conference.
 
Iowa State guard Curtis Jones (5) falls into the Central Florida bench after chasing down a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
No. 8 Iowa State pulls away with late 11-0 run to beat UCF 60-52
Tre King had 16 points and No. 8 Iowa State had a late 11-0 run to beat UCF 60-52 on Saturday for its third straight victory and seventh in eight games. Milan Momcilovic and Curtis Jones each added 11 points for Iowa State (23-6, 12-4 Big 12).
 
Central Florida guard Jaylin Sellers, right, drives past Texas Tech guard Kerwin Walton, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
UCF uses 20-3 run in the second half to stifle No. 23 Texas Tech in 75-61 victory
Darius Johnson had 16 points and five assists, Jaylin Sellers scored 15 points and UCF held No. 23 Texas Tech without a field goal for more than nine minutes in the second half en route to a 75-61 victory.
 
Texas forward Madison Booker, right, goes to the basket past Central Florida center Jayla Kelly for a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 5 Texas’ defense overwhelms UCF in 87-56 victory
No. 5 Texas forced 21 turnovers and got 22 points from Madison Booker to roll past UCF 87-56 on the road.
 
Central Florida head coach Johnny Dawkins yells out to players on the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
UCF defense shuts down No. 23 Oklahoma 74-63 as Knights’ coach Johnny Dawkins wins 300th
Jaylin Sellers shot 13 for 14 from the line and scored 20 points, Antwann Jones hit three early 3-pointers and finished with 15 points and UCF beat No. 23 Oklahoma 74-63 to give Knights coach Johnny Dawkins his 300th coaching victory.
 
Baylor forward Josh Ojianwuna makes an uncontested dunk against Central Florida during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 18 Baylor pulls ahead in 2nd half for 77-69 win over UCF
 
BYU guard Jaxson Robinson (2) drives past Central Florida guard Darius Johnson, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Aly Khalifa scores 17 points as No. 18 BYU holds off UCF 63-58 for its first Big 12 win
Aly Khalifa scored 17 points and No. 18 BYU held off UCF 63-58 for its first Big 12 win since joining the conference. Trevin Knell had 14 points for BYU, and Spencer Johnson finished with 12.
 
Central Florida forward C.J. Walker, front left, grabs the ball from Kansas forward K.J. Adams Jr. as he falls backward during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
UCF Knights’ defense powers team to comeback victory over No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks
Jaylin Sellers scored 18 points, Darius Johnson added 17 and UCF erased a 16-point deficit to beat No. 3 Kansas 65-60 on Wednesday night.
 
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) runs past Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) for a touchdown on an 3-yard run during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Nico Iamaleava leads No. 25 Tennessee to 35-0 rout of No. 20 Iowa in the Citrus Bowl
Freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava ran for three touchdowns and threw for one in his first career start, and No. 25 Tennessee shut down No. 20 Iowa’s Division I-worst offense to beat the Hawkeyes 35-0 in the Citrus Bowl.
 
FILE - Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz yells to his team as they play against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. Iowa defeated Nebraska 13-10. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)
Defensive-minded No. 20 Iowa, offensive-driven No. 25 Tennessee offer clash of styles in Citrus Bowl
The No. 25 Tennessee Volunteers have built their program under coach Josh Heupel based on speed and getting through as many plays as possible without huddling.
 
Kansas State tight end Garrett Oakley (86) and offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (50) signal "touchdown" as teammate running back DJ Giddens scores against North Carolina State during the first half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Freshman QB Avery Johnson leads Kansas State past No. 19 N.C. State in Pop-Tarts Bowl
Avery Johnson threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, DJ Giddens rushed for 151 yards and scored twice, and Kansas State beat No. 19 North Carolina State 28-19 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
 
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