UCF to honor seniors in final game at Bounce House: ‘I owe UCF my life’

As UCF takes the field at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium for the final time on Saturday, it will be a bittersweet moment for a small group of Knights on the roster.

It’s Senior Day and the Knights are expected to honor 25 players before the start of their game against Oklahoma State. It’s the final time these players will step out of the tunnel at the Bounce House in front of the home crowd.

“UCF has changed my life forever for the good,” said senior running back Myles Montgomery. “I wasn’t in a really good spot, just mentally and all that. When I transferred here, it was probably the best decision I ever made. I owe UCF my life.”

Montgomery is among a group of 11 seniors who played multiple seasons with the Knights, led by offensive lineman Paul Rubelt and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, who spent five seasons at UCF.

“I hope that people know that I played my hardest out there,” Lawrence said of his legacy at the school. “I tried my best. That’s really the legacy. Showing that you can stay somewhere all four years and still have a good career.”

The Senior Day tradition has changed dramatically in college sports over the past few years, thanks to the transfer portal and name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation. Players tend to spend shorter times at schools, with some joining a roster for a single season.

“It’s changed a little,” said coach Scott Frost. “Some guys aren’t sure if they’re playing their last college game or not, depending on the rules. Players are always looking to get another year of eligibility. I don’t blame these guys. A lot of them want extra years because they’re getting compensated well, on top of the fact that they love the game and want to keep playing.”

“There are some guys that have only been here for one year and this is going to be their last year, but every year is its own thing and that’s always been true,” added offensive coordinator Steve Cooper. “So, we’re going to pour into these seniors, because it’s their last college football game.”

Fifth-year offensive lineman Cam Kinnie understands the importance of the game, outside of Senior Day.

UCF (4-6, 1-6 Big 12) still controls its own destiny when it comes to a possible postseason berth. The Knights need to win their final two games to become bowl eligible. Still, that doesn’t mean Saturday’s game won’t be special.

“The cliche would be, it’s another game,” Kinnie said. “But I would say it’s important because it’s good to get a win for sure. So just come out and execute the way that we know that we can execute and it’s going to be a great game.”

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