1979 - Inaugural game vs. St. Leo 1986 - Ted Wilson • Gene McDowell, an assistant at Florida State, is named UCF’s head coach and athle cs director. UCF wins its fi rst game under McDowell when Ed O’Brien kicks a school-record 55-yard fi eld goal as me expired to defeat Bethune-Cookman, 39-37. UCF meets its fi rst NCAA Bowl Subdivi- sion opponent, playing at Louisville. becomes the fi rst Knight to be dra ed by the NFL Sc o Ry ers on Gene McDowell Don Jonas Mike Cullison