Loading Video…
This browser does not support the Video element.
UCF QB puts in work for Giving Tuesday
UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee got behind the counter at Huey Magoo's to celebrate Giving Tuesday. He interacted with fans and helped raise proceeds toward a local hospital.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Knights are going bowling!
UCF football finished its inaugural season in the Big 12 6-6 and clinched bowl eligibility in its final game of the regular season with a 27-13 victory over former American Athletic Conference foe Houston. Now, the Knights will head west on Interstate-4 to face a familiar opponent in familiar territory.
The Knights are scheduled to face Georgia Tech in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl.
This also isn't the first time UCF plays in the Tampa-based Gasparilla Bowl. In 2021, the Knights smashed the Florida Gators 29-17.
RELATED: Former UCF QB Dillon Gabriel enters transfer portal after 2 years at Oklahoma: 'I am better for it'
Here's everything you need to know:
Where is the Gasparilla Bowl?
The Gasparilla Bowl is held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Friday, Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
UCF receiver Ryan O'Keefe, left, shows off his MVP trophy and coach Gus Malzahn proudly displays the Gasparilla Bowl trophy their 29-17 win against Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 23, 2021. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 23: Central Florida wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe (4) celebrates with fans after the Gasparilla Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Central Florida Knights on December 23, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) UCF Knights wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe (4) takes the ball deep into Florida Gators territory during the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the UCF Knights looks on from the sideline during the first half of the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl against the Florida Gators at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 23: UCF players pose for a picture after their victory during the Gasparilla Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Central Florida Knights on December 23, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 23: Central Florida wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe (4) runs after a reception during the second half of the Gasparilla Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Central Florida Knights on December 23, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 23: .cf54. celebrates a victory after the Gasparilla Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Central Florida Knights on December 23, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Daniel Obarski #98 celebrates with Alex Ward #32 of the UCF Knights after a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Florida Gators during the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Mikey Keene #16 of the UCF Knights poses with fans for a selfie after defeating the Florida Gators 29-17 in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Ryan O'Keefe #4 and head coach Gus Malzahn of the UCF Knights react to winning the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl Most Valuable Player and Championship trophies after defeating the Florida Gators 29-17 at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 23: The 2019 Champion and Most Valuable Player trophies wait on the sidelines during the Gasparilla Bowl between the University of Central Florida Knights and the Marshall Thundering Herd on December 23, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mary Holt/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 23: Central Florida wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe (4) after the Gasparilla Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Central Florida Knights on December 23, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Mikey Keene #16 of the UCF Knights poses with fans for a selfie after defeating the Florida Gators 29-17 in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Gasparilla Bowl tickets
UCF is required to purchase a large number of tickets at Raymond James Stadium for the Gasparilla Bowl and is encouraging Knights fans to buy their tickets directly from the university to "financially support the program by maximizing bowl revenue to the university," according to an email sent to fans on Sunday.
Tickets will be released in tiers to UCF fans as follows:
- Monday morning: Shareholders Society donors will receive an email Monday morning with a link and selection time for tickets based on giving level and away priority points
- Monday afternoon: Season ticket members will receive an email Monday afternoon with a link to select bowl tickets on Ticketmaster. Seat selection begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday
- Wednesday morning: All remaining tickets in the UCF allotment will be released for sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at this link
Tickets for the Gasparilla Bowl must be purchased online. Tickets will not be available for purchase over the phone.
RELATED: 'Disgusted and infuriated': Florida State's College Football Playoff exclusion draws discord across the nation
UCF vs. Georgia Tech history
UCF and Georgia Tech have faced off five times since 1996.
The Yellow Jackets lead the all-time series between the two, 3-2. The Knights, however, have demolished Georgia Tech in the two most recent consecutive games.
On Sept. 19, 2020, UCF beat Georgia Tech 49-21 in Atlanta, and on Sept. 24, 2022, the Knights defeated them 27-10 at home.
Notably, former UCF head football coach George O'Leary also served as head coach for Georgia Tech from 1994 to 2001 – and is a member of both programs' Halls of Fame.
Current Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key played under O'Leary at Georgia Tech and eventually joined him at UCF, where he was an assistant coach for about a decade.