The back of UCF's black game helmets featured the words "Orlando United," a salute to the community's reaction after the Pulse Nightclub shooting that killed 49 people earlier this year.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer posted a message on Twitter praising the Knights for honoring Pulse victims on the unique helmet.
Both teams also wore a sticker that read "P6." It is part of the American Athletic Confernece's push to be viewed as a Power 6 conference, joining current Power 5 leagues the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC.