Preview: UCF's Space Game Against Houston

Saturday marks UCF's annual Space Game, a game that honors the university's ties to the space industry. It features an alternate mascot, the Citronaut, and an alternate space-themed uniform that changes every season.

This edition of the matchup, however, marks just the second time the Knights face off against a fellow school with ties to the space industry in Houston.

Both schools are situated near central industrial facilities.

UCF is located 35 miles away from Kennedy Space Center, with the 50-yard line of the Acrisure Bounce House even sitting on the same latitude as Launch Pad 39A. Since 1963, UCF faculty and students have been involved in over 700 NASA research projects.

Meanwhile, Houston is 23 miles away from Johnson Space Center, the home of NASA's Mission Control and Astronaut Corps. Back in 1964, 500 employees of the Johnson Space Center enrolled in classes at the university. It was also the alma mater of Bernard Harris, the first African American to walk in space.

2. UCF Looking to Stay Undefeated in Space Games

The Knights began their Space Game tradition back during coach Scott Frost's first tenure with the team in 2017 and have remained unbeaten in them ever since, outscoring their opponents 405-159.

One of those wins even came against Houston, 44-29, back in 2019. Future Cleveland Brown Dillon Gabriel threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

3. Bigger than Football

Both the Knights and Cougars have suffered tragic losses on their coaching staffs this season.

UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark passed away on Sep. 21 at the age of 50 after being hospitalized with an undisclosed medical emergency 11 days earlier.

As for Houston, its director of strength and performance, Kurt Hester, passed away from cancer at the age of 61. He was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma in February.

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