UCF fans made their presence known at Stanford Stadium. They were audible on TV and on the field despite the Knights’ loss.
UCF fans do not have the best reputation in Orlando.
Despite such a large alumni base, Bright House Networks Stadium is not always the most full or boisterous. Downtown Orlando is still a Florida State capital during football Saturdays. Last season, UCF averaged 45,323 fans per game, about an 83.4 percent capacity for the still somewhat new stadium (it is just eight years old).
Even without completely strong fan support at times, UCF has established a pretty solid home field advantage. But the Knights still managed only 39,184 (86.4 percent of capacity, so above last year’s average) for the Thursday opener against FIU. And the losing is not likely to attract many more fans.
Saturday’s road game though brought some good news that there is a shift. UCF fans will represent when given the chance. Interest and excitement over this program, despite the 0-2 record, are still at an all-time high. UCF is just figuring out how to tap into all that.
UCF coach George O’Leary has been critical of UCF’s home support at various times during his tenure as head coach. But he took notice of the UCF fans who made the trip to Palo Alto, Calif., and made their presence known through the game (h/t Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel):
I thought it was great they were there. I’m sorry we didn’t help them out more and give them something to cheer about. I thought it was great and the attendance at the game…I could hear them in the far right corner…great turnout and I’m pleased the fanbase is doing their part.
For those who were watching on TV, there were audible “U-C-F” chants and cheers when the Knights made big plays. Stanford was not in school yet and some of the team’s momentum may have been slowed by the loss in Week One to Northwestern. Attendance was slightly better than expected, but it was still not the largest crowd UCF would see. It was small enough for UCF to make their presence known.
UCF did sell its allotment and the Orlando Sentinel reported about 1,000 fans from around the country made the trip. There was a large contingent that took an early flight to the San Francisco area from Los Angeles.
What this all says is that UCF’s fan base is growing both in pride and in numbers. Their continued success as a football program is imperative to the team’s continued growth. They have to keep fans engaged.
That will go beyond building a new bar inside the stadium. It means putting a consistently strong product on the field to get long-term buy in from fans. That is the thing the Knights are hoping for.
It should help that there is a fan base that is growing in number and has UCF as part of their culture. But it takes time. There have been fits and starts.
UCF though seems to be growing and the cross-country to Stanford showed that.
