Following last season’s heartbreaking 35-42 loss at Louisville, UCF’s Friday night match up against the Cardinals is one the fans and players have been looking forward to.

In last season’s match up against Louisville, UCF lost a handful of players to injury, including former starting quarterback, Dillion Gabriel, on the last play of the game. When speaking on last season’s matchup, Malzahn explained, “Last year, I think everybody knows how tough of a loss that was for us.”

Gus Malzahn, his staff, and his players, carry the one game at a time mentality, but this is a game they have been looking forward to. On Monday, Malzahn said, “This is a game that is very important to us.”

Louisville is coming off of a 7-31 loss on the road against Syracuse. Despite the Cardinals starting their season off with a tough loss, UCF is expecting to get their best shot on Friday night, as they continued to reiterate the high talent level of this Louisville squad. Malzahn stated, “I know Louisville didn’t play their best this last game – we know we can get their best. Their quarterback is one of the top players in all of college football.”

Louisville quarterback, Malik Cunningham, is one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the country. The redshirt senior ran for 1,031 yards and 20 touchdowns, while throwing for 2,941 yards and 19 touchdowns in his 2021 season. Last season against UCF, Cunningham threw for 265 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while running for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

UCF will be hosting Louisville on September 9th, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. Knights’ fans will have FBC Mortgage Stadium rocking for one of the most anticipated home games of the season.

Photo credit: Cameron Robertson/FAAZ Sports