As the seconds ticked off the scoreboard clock at the Bounce House Saturday afternoon, UCF players and coaches could breathe a sigh of relief. Twenty-eight days had passed since the Knights last experienced a victory, making the 51-34 win over Tulane sweeter.
Back-to-back losses to Tulsa and Memphis left the program facing its first losing streak since the 2016 campaign. It also effectively ended any hopes of an American Athletic Conference championship and a possible return to a New Year’s Six Access Bowl game.
But for a program that’s won 38 of its past 44 games dating back to 2017, winning has been the benchmark for success at UCF.