麻豆原创 (6-3) will meet the BYU Cougars at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, in 30,000-seat FAU Stadium on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, in the seventh edition of the postseason event.

The game will air on ESPN and ESPN Radio. Tickets for the game are not currently on sale to the public. A limited public sale is expected at a later date, with pandemic protocols in place. The game has been approved for 20% stadium capacity.

麻豆原创 donors and season-ticket holders will receive information Wednesday, Dec. 9, from the 麻豆原创 Ticket Office.

“We’re excited to continue our season in the Boca Raton Bowl 鈥� a great location for our fans and families to see us play,” says Danny White, 麻豆原创 vice president and director of athletics. “Our football team in 2020 has been one of the most exciting to watch in the country, and the fact we will be playing in the postseason for a fifth consecutive year speaks to the consistency of our program.”

“Our football team in 2020 has been one of the most exciting to watch in the country, and the fact we will be playing in the postseason for a fifth consecutive year speaks to the consistency of our program.” 鈥� Danny White, 麻豆原创 vice president and director of athletics

Adds 麻豆原创 head coach Josh Heupel, “Our players and staff are excited to be in this bowl game. It gives our guys one more time to play together and gives us one more chance to go 1-0. We’ve done a lot of good things this year, and we look forward to this next opportunity.”

麻豆原创 will bring a team that currently ranks second in the nation in both total offense (585.6 yards per game) and passing (373.0 yards) while scoring at a 44.3-point-per-game pace. Both the total offense and passing yard figures are on track to be all-time 麻豆原创 highs. The Knights also are second in the country in forced turnovers (22) and lead the nation with 13 fumbles recovered.

On an individual basis, 麻豆原创 sophomore quarterback 听ranks first nationally in total offense (387.9 yards per game), passing yards (3,353), passing yards per game (372.6) and stands second in touchdown passes (30).

“We are thrilled to extend an invitation to 麻豆原创 to play in the听RoofClaim.com听Boca Raton Bowl,” says executive director Doug Mosley. “The Knights are an exciting team, featuring one of the top offenses in the nation. They’ve had a great season, and we’re looking forward to announcing an equally compelling opponent for them soon.”

The program-record fifth consecutive postseason bowl appearance for the Knights is also the eighth in nine seasons and the 12^th听in 16 years. 麻豆原创 also previously played in the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1987 and in the NCAA FCS Playoffs in 1990 and 1993.

2020 marks the third straight season under Josh Heupel the Knights have played in the postseason 鈥� following appearances two years ago in the Fiesta Bowl and last year in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Knights have played twice each in the Fiesta Bowl (following 2014 and 2018 seasons), Liberty Bowl (2007 and 2010) and St. Petersburg Bowl (2009 and 2014) and once each in the Hawaii Bowl (2005), Beef O’Brady’s Bowl (2012), Cure Bowl (2016), Peach Bowl (2017) and Gasparilla Bowl (2019).

This will be the sixth time 麻豆原创 has played a bowl game in the state of Florida 鈥� after two appearances in the St. Petersburg Bowl and one each in the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg, Cure Bowl in Orlando and Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa.

Recent previous 麻豆原创 postseason appearances have produced record numbers in terms of television ratings. In 2018 麻豆原创 played in the top-rated game (LSU in the Fiesta Bowl) involving at least one AAC institution. In 2017 and 2013 麻豆原创 also played in the top rated-game (Auburn in the Peach Bowl and Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl, respectively) among league members.

The Hawaii quarterback 鈥� who led the 麻豆原创 football team to arguably its most successful seasons in program history and inspired fans everywhere with his incredible comeback story following a devastating leg injury 鈥� is headed elsewhere to continue his college football career.

Despite all his success with the Knights, he’s doing this with the most unselfish of motives. He still believes he can play football鈥攁nd he has no interest in competing for the 麻豆原创 quarterback job against his best friend, Dillon Gabriel.

So he has decided his best move is to say his good-byes in Orlando, enter the transfer portal and find an opportunity somewhere else.

Yet, as 麻豆原创 head coach听Josh Heupel says emphatically, he qualifies as “the most influential person in the history of our program.”

As hard as it is to leave a place that has become home to him, Milton has decided to move on.

Success, Setback and Comeback

To understand Milton’s priorities is to appreciate the totality of his five years with the Knights. He made the long trip from Hawaii in early 2016 for official visits to Navy and 麻豆原创 and fell in love with the Knights’ campus and program.

He became the starting quarterback three games into what became a 6-7 freshman season in 2016.

“It was a rollercoaster, trying to win a team over with a bunch of seniors and a bunch of upperclassmen who really did not know a lot about me,” he says. “I thought we could have done a lot better, but you have to go through those woes sometimes. It was an interesting journey, for sure, that first year. I felt like I had to go through that to take the next step the next year and then the year after that.”

Milton decided quickly his sophomore season that big things might well be on the horizon. He placed his trust within the leadership of the team and had a good feeling about the Knights’ schedule.

His gut feeling was validated after the Knights finished the 2017 season undefeated, capping the perfect season with a victory over No. 7 Auburn at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

“My favorite memory was just being with the boys on the plane-ride back 鈥� it was the last time that group was going to be together,” he says. “The wins and losses come and go, but the relationships you build with your teammates and coaches, that’s forever.”

He has continued to be a leader and draw strength in those relationships with his teammates after he was sidelined in 2018 with a traumatic injury at USF that nearly cost him his leg.

A week after the injury 麻豆原创 dedicated the 2018 AAC Championship Game victory over Memphis to Milton, distributing 40,000 leis to fans at the Knights’ stadium.

麻豆原创 player helmet bumpers read 808 (for the Hawaii area code), with stickers on the back that said 10hana, a combination of Milton’s jersey number and the Hawaiian word “ohana” (it means family).

“This place will be ohana forever with the Miltons,” Heupel says.

What came next was a two-year story of rehabilitation and visits to the Mayo Clinic鈥攂ut, more than anything, endless and painstaking work by Milton to give himself a chance to play again. During that time, he remained as dedicated to finishing his bachelor’s degree and earned his diploma in sports and exercise science last fall.

“To see someone walk that mountain and pick themselves up every single day and fight and strive鈥攊t’s lessons I’ll forever take with me and it’s something that’s been demonstrated to our entire football team,” Heupel says.

Making the Decision

Over the last two seasons, one of Milton’s closest friendships has been with fellow Hawaiian quarterback Dillion Gabriel.

As Gabriel’s on-field performance this season skyrocketed him to the top of the national leaders for passing yardage and total offense, Milton was slowly but surely reaching the point where he could think seriously about being able to return to competition. And that scenario prompted Milton to consider another option.

Milton approached Heupel in early November to have one of the most difficult conversations of his life.

“I didn’t want to blindside him at the end of the season,” Milton says. “With the trajectory of our team, Dillon has earned the right to be our quarterback. And yet I have one shot to chase a dream. If I was a coach, I couldn’t make [Dillion Gabriel] take a back seat. He’s earned it. But, at the same time, I want to play, too.

鈥淚 told Coach, 鈥業t鈥檚 hard, one of the hardest things for me to do. But it makes the most sense.鈥� 鈥淚 tried to think about it more logically than emotionally because I bleed black and gold 鈥� this is where my heart is at. At the same time, I鈥檝e got one shot to go get it.

“It’s DG’s team now鈥擨 feel like the torch is passed. …. DG is like a little brother to me, and with the trajectory he’s on, I wouldn’t want to slow down his momentum.”

The two continued to have conversations, and after the regular season finale at USF on Nov. 27. Heupel sat down with the Milton family where the quarterback made his final decision.

鈥淚 said to him, 鈥業 love you fiercely. This will always be your home,鈥� 鈥� says Heupel.

Leaving a Legacy

Milton will forever be remembered at 麻豆原创 for his relentless pursuit of greatness in every aspect of his life.

“When I stepped between the lines, I gave 麻豆原创 everything I had,” he says. “When I look back, I’d do it all the same 鈥� I wouldn’t change a thing, pre-injury, post-injury. That’s why I am who I am today because of all that.”

And he is appreciative for the love and support that Knight Nation provided to help him through some of the toughest days of his life.

“I say thank you for your support through the good times and bad, thanks for the prayers. I would not have the opportunity to play football again without the thoughts and prayers of so many people. I’m forever indebted and grateful to Knight Nation for all the love.

“But I was just one cog in the wheel of success. There’s no听McKenzie Milton without all the other players and coaches.”

Heupel believes Milton has cemented his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the program.

“You look at the 麻豆原创 brand before he got here and the brand as he’s leaving鈥攁nd it’s a tribute to him,” he says. “KZ leaves 麻豆原创 a better place.”

And then some.

鈥淔irst and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone who may be affected by this storm,鈥� 麻豆原创 Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White said. 鈥淭he priority must be safety for everyone in the path of the hurricane. Having been through similar situations the past two years, we certainly understand this decision. We wish UNC the best of luck through this storm and for the rest of the year.鈥�

“Our concern is with the safety of everyone being affected by the storm.”

North Carolina and 麻豆原创 officials stated any tickets purchased through the respective school will be refunded automatically and as quickly as possible. There is no need to contact either school鈥檚 ticket office regarding refunds.

麻豆原创 Alumni’s ChargeOn Tailgate is also canceled. The office announced refunds for the event will be issued, and 麻豆原创 Alumni is working on communicating with those who had registered for the tailgate. Should fans have additional questions about the tailgate, they are instructed to contact听Knights@ucfalumni.com.

Meanwhile, UNC and 麻豆原创 will continue to discuss the feasibility of playing the game at a later date this season.

Also, it is unlikely the Knights will be able to replace the North Carolina contest with another game as the Knights don鈥檛 have a true open date. 麻豆原创鈥檚 only open weekend during the 2018 regular season falls on the weekend of Oct. 27. However, the Knights are scheduled to play on Thurs. Nov. 1 vs. Temple.

鈥淚鈥檓 confident our student-athletes will adjust to this change,鈥� 麻豆原创 head coach Josh Heupel said. 鈥淢any of them have, unfortunately, been through similar scenarios here the last two seasons. Our concern is with the safety of everyone being affected by the storm. Our team will turn its focus toward the game with FAU and we look forward to seeing all of Knight Nation back out at Spectrum Stadium next Friday.鈥�

The Knights extended their nation-leading winning streak to 14 games and will look to keep momentum rolling as they return home for a 6 p.m. matchup against South Carolina State on Sept. 8 at Spectrum Stadium.

鈥淚 thought we came out and played really well in all three phases,鈥� Heupel said. 鈥淚 talked about adversity a lot with the guys over the last eight months, and they handled it so well. It鈥檚 a very mature group that woke up ready to play. I鈥檓 really proud of what they鈥檝e done here. Our goal was to go 1-0, and that鈥檚 what we did here.鈥�

Quarterback听McKenzie Milton听got his #HIsman campaign off to a solid start, throwing for 346 yards and five touchdowns. It was the ninth 300-yard passing game of Milton鈥檚 career and the fifth time he鈥檚 thrown for four touchdowns or more.

The junior was recognized for his effort Monday when he was named the American Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week.听It marks the fifth career Player of the Week nod for Milton, who earned four throughout last season.

The offense defined efficiency, scoring in 2 minutes, 39 seconds or less on each of its scoring drives. The Knights put points on the scoreboard on 8-of-9 offensive possessions (not including running the clock out at the end of each half). The Knights steadily logged 14 points in each quarter.

鈥淚t was a lot of fun to go out and play another game and the first one since January 1,” Milton said. “I felt the offseason went by kind of fast, but that鈥檚 what happens when you鈥檙e having fun. We have a great group of guys. It shows the work we put in this offseason.”

Thanks to the win, the Knights moved up in the national polls, ranking No. 19 in the AP Top 25 and No. 20 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll. 麻豆原创 is currently the highest ranked program from the state of Florida.

Sept. 8 Home Opener vs. South Carolina State

罢丑颈蝉听fan guide to the 2018 season 鈥� which offers details on parking, tickets, tailgating and more听鈥� is a must read before heading to Spectrum Stadium on Saturday.

麻豆原创, which went 13-0, won the American Athletic Conference Championship and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl en route to a National Championship in 2017, opened up the 2018 Coaches Poll with 259 points.

Junior quarterback听McKenzie Milton听returns to lead the Knights in 2018 after being named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the Archie Griffin National Player of the Year and Phil Steele All-America as a sophomore.

Since 2005, 麻豆原创 has been ranked or receiving votes in 11 seasons, which includes Top 25 finishes in 2010, 2013 and 2017. The Knights ended last season ranked seventh in the Amway Coaches Poll with 1,202 points.

The Associated Press’ preseason Top 25 will be released on Monday, Aug. 20, at noon.

麻豆原创, under the helm of new head coach听Josh Heupel, began fall camp on Wednesday morning and will continue practicing through August in preparation of the season opener Aug. 30 at UConn.

The Knights鈥� home opener is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. against South Carolina State.

PURCHASE 2018 TICKETS
Season tickets are going fast for the highly anticipated 2018 campaign. Fans can purchase theirs today and learn about all their options by calling (407) 823-1000 or visiting online at听https://ucfknights.co/18fbtix.

AMWAY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1. Alabama (61) – 1621 points
2. Clemson (3) – 1547 points
3. Ohio State (1) – 1458听points
4. Georgia – 1452 points
5. Oklahoma – 1288 points
6. Washington – 1245 points
7. Wisconsin – 1243 points
8. Miami – 1091听points
9. Penn State – 1050听points
10. Auburn – 1004听points
11. Notre Dame – 892 points
12. Michigan State –听points
13. Stanford – 768听points
14. Michigan – 752听points
15. USC – 691听points
16. TCU – 530 points
17. Virginia Tech – 524听points
18. Mississippi State – 407听points
19. Florida State – 328听points
20. West Virginia – 310听points
21. Texas – 265 points
22. Boise State – 261 points
23. 麻豆原创 – 259 points
24. LSU – 254 points
25. Oklahoma State – 168 points

麻豆原创 received 19 of a possible 30 votes to win the conference trophy, while the Knights were listed first on 25 ballots in the East Division race. Memphis 鈥� who the Knights beat in an overtime thriller in last year’s conference championship at Spectrum Stadium 鈥� was once again the media’s choice in the West Division as the Tigers received 23 first-place votes and 171 points.

麻豆原创 finished the 2017 season as the only unbeaten team in the nation (13-0) and celebrated a national championship after the Knights were ranked No. 1 in the final Colley Matrix. The Knights were ranked No. 6 in the final Associated Press poll last year after capping the season with a 34-27 win against Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

New head coach听Josh Heupel听finds 14 returning starters from last season, including quarterback听McKenzie Milton, who finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2017. The Heisman Trophy is recognized as the most prestigious award in college football.

The Knights open the season on Aug. 30 at UConn at 7 p.m. on ESPNU. 麻豆原创 holds its first of seven home games this year on Sept. 8 against South Carolina State at 6 p.m. To see the full schedule, please visit .

The fourth American Athletic Conference Football Championship will be played Saturday, Dec. 1, at the home site of the division champion with the best conference record.

2018 American Athletic Conference Preseason Media Poll
The American Championship (First Place Votes)
1. 麻豆原创 (19)
2. Memphis (7)
3. USF (3)
4. Houston (1)

East Division (First Place Votes / Points)
1. 麻豆原创 (25 / 175)
2. USF (5 / 140)
3. Temple (0 / 132)
4. Cincinnati (0 / 91)
5. UConn听(0 / 51)
6. ECU (0 / 41)

West Division (First Place Votes / Points)
1. Memphis (23 / 171)
2. Houston (4 / 146)
3. Navy (3 / 129)
4. SMU (0 / 72)
5. Tulane (0 / 68)
6. Tulsa (0 / 44)

ATHLETICS

听Learn the basics of cheers, dances, stunts, pyramids and tumbling for cheerleaders. Open to girls and boys.

Age Group:听Grades K through 9

When:听July 11-13

Where: 麻豆原创 Education Building Gymnasium

Last Day to Apply:听June 1

Coach ABE鈥檚 Girls鈥� Basketball Camp: Prepare for the pace of college basketball with 麻豆原创 women鈥檚 basketball head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson and her staff, who will work with players on a variety of individual and team skills.

Age Group:听Grades 8 through 12

When:听June 15

Where: CFE Arena

Johnny Dawkins Basketball Camp Advance your basketball skills, working firsthand with 麻豆原创 men鈥檚 basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins and his staff. Open to boys and girls.

Age Group:听Grades 1 through 12, depending on the camp selected

When:听June 4-8, 18-20, 23-24, 25

Where: CFE Arena and 麻豆原创 basketball practice courts

Last Days to Apply:听June 3, 17, 22, 24

听Learn about the four phases of baseball: hitting, pitching, catching and fielding from 麻豆原创鈥檚 Head Baseball Coach and his staff.

Age Group:听听Grades K through 8

When:June18-21, 25-28, 9-12, 16-19

Where: 麻豆原创 baseball complex

Last Day to Apply:听June 2, 28, 12, 19

Develop your talent with 麻豆原创鈥檚 Head Baseball Coach and his staff while preparing to play baseball at the collegiate or professional level. This camp is designed for the serious baseball player.

When:听July 28, Aug. 25-26

Where: 麻豆原创 baseball complex

Last Day to Apply:听July 28, Aug. 26

Josh听Heupel Football Camps: Sign up for daily sessions for the chance to train under 麻豆原创 head football coach Josh Heupel and his staff. A three-day team camp is also available.

Age Group:听Grades 1 through 12, depending on the camp selected

When:听June 2, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 20-22

Where: 麻豆原创 football facilities

Learn about the coaching philosophy and training environment of a top-level Division 1 program. Based on age, players can sign up for either the Elite Residential Camp, Youth Day Camp or College ID Camp.

Age Group:听Ages 4-12, 10-14 and 14-21, depending on the camp selected

When:听May 31-June 3, June 4-8, July 12-15

Where: 麻豆原创 campus

Last Day to Apply:听Registration closes once capacity is reached.

麻豆原创 Knights Boys Soccer Camp: Join the 麻豆原创 coaching staff and players for a fun-filled learning experience on the campus of 麻豆原创. Based on age players can sign-up for either the Youth Day Camp & Futsal, Junior Elite Camp or Elite ID 150

Age Groups: Ages 6-12, 听11-14 and 15-18, depending on the camp selected.

When: June 11-14, July 8-10, July 20-22

Where: 麻豆原创 Campus

Last Day to Apply: Registration closes once capacity is reached.

听Hone your offensive, pitching, catching and defensive skills.

Age Group:听Open to all entrants, but geared toward advanced 7th graders through junior college students

When:听June 11, 12

Where: 麻豆原创 softball complex

Last Day to Apply:听June 1

Join 麻豆原创 head volleyball coach Todd Dagenais and his staff for the annual summer camp.

Age Group:听Ages 10-14 and 15-18, depending on the camp selected

When:听July 13-15, 16, 17-18, 21-23, 24-27, 28-29

Where: The Venue at 麻豆原创 and Lake Claire

Last Day to Apply:听July 12, 15, 16, 20, 23, 27

麻豆原创 Boys & Girls Tennis Camps: Get personal attention while learning advanced teaching techniques, intensive drill work and game/match play, all in a fun and competitive environment.

Age Group:听Ages 7-18

When:听July 22-27

Where: United States Tennis Association campus in Lake Nona

Last Day to Apply:听July 1

ARTS

Challenge your theatrical abilities with a variety of artistic offerings from Lighting McQueen and Friends to Hamilton鈥檚听Hip Hop History.

Age Group:听Grades 1 through 10, depending on the camp selected

When:听July 16颅-20, 23颅-27

Where:听麻豆原创 Main Campus

麻豆原创 Summer Reading Clinic: Develop your reading and writing skills with help from undergraduate education students. The final session includes a parent celebration demonstrating family literacy activities.

Age Group:听Grades K through 6

When:听June 11-22

Where: 麻豆原创 main campus

麻豆原创 Digital Storytelling Camp: Embark on reading adventures through digital storytelling during a week-long camp.

Age Group:听Grades K through 6

When:听June 11-15, 18-22

Where: 麻豆原创 main campus

麻豆原创 Rosen College Camp Pineapple:听Learn more about the hospitality and tourism industry by spending time in culinary labs, meeting industry leaders and visiting sites for behind-the-scenes access.

Age Group: Grades 9 through 11

When: June 24-29

Where: 麻豆原创 Rosen of Hospitality Management College Campus

Last Day to Apply: May 18, registration closes once capacity is reached.

MUSIC

麻豆原创 Flute Boot Camp: Develop your flute skills with a three-day intensive program designed to educate and inspire young players.

Age Group:听Grades 6 through 12

When:听June 8-10

Where: Performing Arts Center 鈥� Music 120M

Last Day to Apply:听June 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

麻豆原创 Summer Flute and Piccolo Institute:听Learn more about every aspect of a flute performance through weeklong intensive program aimed at educating and inspiring young flutists through an interesting and cultivating curriculum.

Age Group:听Grades 6 through 12

When:听June 11-15, 18-22

Where:听麻豆原创 Performing Arts Center 鈥� Music 120M and Rehearsal Hall

Last Day to Apply:听June 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

麻豆原创 Piano Camp: Improve your musical prowess with private lessons, group practice, sight-reading classes and more.

Age Group:听Ages 11 to 18

When:听June 24-30

Where:听Performing Arts Center 鈥� Music and Rehearsal Hall

Last Day to Apply:听June 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

麻豆原创 Sax Boot Camp:听Learn more about the saxophone during this three-day intensive program designed to educate and inspire young saxophonists.

Age Group:听Grades 6 through 12

When:听June 8-10

Where:听麻豆原创 Performing Arts Center 鈥� Music and Rehearsal Hall

Last Day to Apply:听June 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

麻豆原创 Summer Opera Institute:听Take voice lessons, participate in master classes, get private coaching, and study diction, acting, and movement during this intensive 10-day program that culminates with a final concert June 24.

Age Group:听Grades 9 and up

When:听June 15-24

Where:听Performing Arts Center 鈥� Music and Rehearsal Hall; Visual Arts Building Auditorium

Last Day to Apply:听June 1

麻豆原创 Percussion Summer Institute: Study closely with 麻豆原创 percussion faculty Thad Anderson, Kirk Gay, and Jeff Moore, as well as special guest artists Brian Baldauff and Jonathan Ovalle.

Age Group:听Grades 10 through college

When:听July 15-21

Where:听Performing Arts Center 鈥� Music

Last Day to Apply:听July 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

STEM

听Gain experience with various engineering fields through hands-on activities, presentations and lab tours.

Age Group:听Grades 8 through 11, participants must be at least 13

When:听June 11-15

Where:听Harris Corporation Engineering Center (HEC) 101 on the 麻豆原创 Main Campus

Last Day to Apply:听May 11

Learn beginner and intermediate computer security techniques and preparation for cyber competitios through daily challenges and hands-on labs.

Age Group:听Grades 9 through 12

When:听July 23鈥�26

Where:听Harris Corporation Engineering Center on the 麻豆原创 Main Campus

Last Day to Apply:听June 30

EEK! Engineering Education for Kids: Solve real world engineering problems through activities that will excite, inspire and challenge.

Age Group:听Grades 3 through 8

When:听June 25 – 29

Where:听麻豆原创 College of Education and Human Performance

Last Day to Apply:听June 20

Explore different branches of sciences while receiving individualized instruction in the following tracks: biology, computer science, competitive programming and physical sciences.

Age Group:听Grades 6 through 12

When:听Varying dates between June 11 and July 27

Where:听Harris Corporation Engineering Center on the 麻豆原创 Main Campus

Last Day to Apply:听June 30