Governors savor surprise trip to Central Florida

While UCF has taken every game seriously all season, there was no question that Austin Peay would be one of the easiest opponents the Knights would face this year.

But for the Governors, Saturday’s game at Spectrum Stadium was more than just another matchup on the schedule.

Austin Peay was not originally scheduled to play UCF this year but, after losing two games due to Hurricane Irma, the Knights were hunting for another opponent to allow them to play 11 regular-season games.

For an FCS team, the chance to play No. 18 UCF was a big opportunity, and Austin Peay in many ways seemed to treat the unexpected trip like a bowl game.

The Governors have been making the most of their visit to Orlando. As part of the package to play UCF, the team got tickets to visit Disney World on Thursday. The players had park-hopper passes and got to spend six hours inside the parks. The team also went to visit Cocoa Beach before the game.

The game also has extra meaning to Austin Peay since, for the first time in years, it is in the midst of a successful season. While UCF is off the best start in school history, the Governors snapped a 29-game losing streak earlier this year and sported a 5-3 recorded heading into their matchup with UCF.

The Knights are pushing to earn a Group of 5 spot in a New Year’s Six Bowl. The Governors, who have spent much of their recent history at the bottom of FCS, are looking at a chance to possibly make the FCS Playoff.

KNIGHTS’ CAPTAINS: The Knights’ captains on Saturday were redshirt junior quarterback Sean Pratt, sophomore offensive lineman Jordan Johnson, redshirt junior defensive lineman Joey Connors and junior linebacker Titus Davis. For the first time this season, UCF won the coin toss before the game.

2013 REUNION: With UCF is in the midst of its best campaign since the 2013 season, several former players from that Fiesta Bowl-winning squad were in attendance on Saturday.

Former star quarterback Blake Bortles, who now leads the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense, was spotted on the sideline. Former offensive linemen Jordan McCray and Justin McCray and former defensive lineman Demetris Anderson were also in attendance along with several other alumni.

During the 2013 season, the Knights went 12-1, won the first American Athletic Conference championship in school history and defeated No. 6 Baylor during the Fiesta Bowl.