1979 - Inaugural game vs. St. Leo 1986 - Ted Wilson • Gene McDowell, an assistant at Florida State, is named UCF’s head coach and athletics director. UCF wins its fi rst game under Mc- Dowell when Ed O’Brien kicks a school-record 55-yard fi eld goal as ti me expired to defeat Bethune-Cookman, 39-37. UCF meets its fi rst NCAA Bowl Subdivision op- ponent, playing at Lou- isville. Sco tt Ryerson becomes the fi rst Knight to be drafted by the NFL 106 Gene McDowell Don Jonas Mike Cullison