For UCF freshman running back Jawon Hamilton, the festivities leading up to his first bowl game seemed to be farthest thing from his mind.
"I've heard about it," Hamilton said about this week's AutoNation Cure Bowl activities. "But I haven't really paid too much attention to it."
His intensity level, much like the rest of the Knights, picked up a few notches this week. After a sluggish start to bowl game practices last week, UCF (6-6) players said coaches have impressed upon them the importance of finishing strong against Arkansas State (7-5)) Saturday.
For all of UCF's positive momentum this season, the final game will make the strongest statement about Scott Frost's first season guiding the program following an 0-12 crash in 2015.