About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Space Game has reached Year 10.
The 10th mission launches Friday with the UCF Knights transforming into the Citronauts against the Baylor Bears . Of course, they'll wear themed uniforms , which were unveiled in September.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Acrisure Bounce House. ESPN will broadcast the contest.
"I think it's cool," head coach Scott Frost said. "There's so many neat aspects to UCF and where we came from and what we stand for and things that other schools don't have. I like how we're pouring into that and doubling down on that. Coming off the win we had ( over previous No. 2 BYU last Saturday) and the fact that it's the Space Game, I hope there's a ton of fans."
UCF's 2026 Space Game helmets include a red stripe and chrome gold facemask, reminiscent of the ones worn by commanders of the Apollo missions, as well as a chrome silver stacked logo overlayed with an American flag. More about the UCF football Space Game uniforms for upcoming matchup with Baylor (UCF Athletics) UCF's football team will wear its 1960s-inspired Space Game uniforms for its the 2026 Oct. 30 home game against Baylor. (UCF Athletics) UCF played its 2025 Space Game against Houston on Nov. 7. It was the ninth iteration of the tradition. The season's theme was "hyperspace." The 2025 game marked Central Florida's first loss in the Space Game. (Provided by UCF Athletics) Inspired by NASA's Artemis program, which aims for a sustainable human presence on the moon, UCF's Mission VIII space uniforms in 2024 featured black, gray, white and Canaveral blue colors. (Conor Kvatek/UCF Athletics) The Knights' 2023 Space Game uniforms are full of space-related imagery and connections to the university. (Conor Kvatek/UCF Athletics) Emphasizing the vast void of deep space, UCF's black 2022 Space Game uniforms are offset by Canaveral blue "Space U" lettering and numbers, which display the transit method for detecting an exoplanet. (UCF Athletics) The 2021 Space Game uniforms honored the 40th anniversary of the shuttle program and feature some of the most intricate details to date. The helmet stripe includes the names of more than 100 UCF alumni, faculty and fans who worked on the space shuttle program. Tile codes for each of the 135 missions were written into the jersey numerals 0 through 9. (UCF Athletics) UCF's gray 2020 Space Game uniforms remain wildly popular with recruits to this day. The helmet stripe includes a portion of the blueprint from the Orion space capsule. (UCF Athletics) Modeled after the dark and light side of the moon, each helmet for UCF's 2019 Space Game uniform was hand-painted by Schutt Sports. The pants were designed to match the Apollo 11 rocket. (UCF Athletics) 1 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. UCF's 2026 Space Game helmets include a red stripe and chrome gold facemask, reminiscent of the ones worn by commanders of the Apollo missions, as well as a chrome silver stacked logo overlayed with an American flag. More about the UCF football Space Game uniforms for upcoming matchup with Baylor (UCF Athletics) 1 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. UCF's 2026 Space Game helmets include a red stripe and chrome gold facemask, reminiscent of the ones worn by commanders of the Apollo missions, as well as a chrome silver stacked logo overlayed with an American flag. More about the UCF football Space Game uniforms for upcoming matchup with Baylor (UCF Athletics) 2 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. UCF's football team will wear its 1960s-inspired Space Game uniforms for its the 2026 Oct. 30 home game against Baylor. (UCF Athletics) 3 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. UCF played its 2025 Space Game against Houston on Nov. 7. It was the ninth iteration of the tradition. The season's theme was "hyperspace." The 2025 game marked Central Florida's first loss in the Space Game. (Provided by UCF Athletics) 4 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. Inspired by NASA's Artemis program, which aims for a sustainable human presence on the moon, UCF's Mission VIII space uniforms in 2024 featured black, gray, white and Canaveral blue colors. (Conor Kvatek/UCF Athletics) 5 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. The Knights' 2023 Space Game uniforms are full of space-related imagery and connections to the university. (Conor Kvatek/UCF Athletics) 6 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. Emphasizing the vast void of deep space, UCF's black 2022 Space Game uniforms are offset by Canaveral blue "Space U" lettering and numbers, which display the transit method for detecting an exoplanet. (UCF Athletics) 7 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. The 2021 Space Game uniforms honored the 40th anniversary of the shuttle program and feature some of the most intricate details to date. The helmet stripe includes the names of more than 100 UCF alumni, faculty and fans who worked on the space shuttle program. Tile codes for each of the 135 missions were written into the jersey numerals 0 through 9. (UCF Athletics) 8 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. UCF's gray 2020 Space Game uniforms remain wildly popular with recruits to this day. The helmet stripe includes a portion of the blueprint from the Orion space capsule. (UCF Athletics) 9 / 9 UCF Space Game 2026 uniforms are out. Here are past looks. Modeled after the dark and light side of the moon, each helmet for UCF's 2019 Space Game uniform was hand-painted by Schutt Sports. The pants were designed to match the Apollo 11 rocket. (UCF Athletics) UCF will hope to regain some of its extraterrestrial magic. Last year, the Knights lost the Space Game for the first time since its 2017 inception.
Here's a breakdown on the 2026 edition and the history behind it.
UCF will host Baylor on Oct. 30. It's the second straight season the Knights have played on a Friday night with a nationally televised audience.
Since 2017, UCF has commemorated its roots as a school — then known as Florida Technological University — founded with the goal of providing personnel for the United States space program at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. According to university statistics, 29% of Kennedy Space Center employees are UCF alumni.
UCF offers more than 35 space-related degrees, including aerospace medicine and an online space MBA. UCF faculty and students have worked on 591 NASA projects to the 1990s.
The Acrisure Bounce House's 50-yard line aligns on the exact latitude as Launch Complex 39A, NASA's most historic launchpad, 31 miles east. Rocket launches are frequently visible from the stands and press box inside the stadium.
UCF's football team will wear its 1960s-inspired Space Game uniforms for its Oct. 30 home game against Baylor. What is a Citronaut? Old UCF mascot has cult following According to Pegasus, the university's magazine, the Citronaut graced the cover of Florida Technological University's 1968-69 student handbook. It had the head of an astronaut, including a space helmet, and the body of an orange.
Norman Van Meter, the brother-in-law of then-UCF President Charles Millican, illustrated the mascot in an attempt to combine Central Florida's major themes of the period: the growing space program and the citrus industry. Both remain integral to the region to this day.
The Citronaut, however, was met with initial disapproval from FTU students. Within one year, they petitioned student government to establish an official mascot, eventually choosing "the Knights of Pegasus" in 1970.
UCF rebranded as the Golden Knights in 1993, and the moniker was shortened to Knights in 2007.
Nowadays, the Citronaut enjoys a large cult following and is a wildly popular secondary brand for the university's athletic teams.
Nov 7, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. (7) avoids being tackled during the second half against the Houston Cougars at Acrisure Bounce House. What is UCF Space Game? Annual tradition reaches 10th year with new uniforms (Mike Watters, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 7, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Cougars at Acrisure Bounce House. See 2026 UCF football Space Game uniforms for upcoming matchup with Baylor (Mike Watters, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 7, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights dance team performs before the game against the Houston Cougars at Acrisure Bounce House. The Citronauts name on the uniform commemorates UCF's roots as a school — then known as Florida Technological University. (Mike Watters, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 2, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Dylan Rizk (10) drops back to throw against the Arizona Wildcats during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images) Nov 2, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) runs the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images) Nov 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Rashod Owens (10) is tackled by UCF Knights defensive back Brandon Adams (31) during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights defensive back Demari Henderson (8) celebrates intercepting a Oklahoma State Cowboys pass during the second quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) Oct 13, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Temple Owls at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) Oct 13, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Kobe Hudson (2) celebrates after scoring during the second quarter against the Temple Owls at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) Oct 13, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Kobe Hudson (2) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe (4) during the second half at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) Oct 22, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Brandon Johnson (3) makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Memphis Tigers defensive back Jacobi Francis (1) during the first quarter at Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) Oct 22, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back Johnny Richardson (25) carries the ball against the Memphis Tigers during the second half at Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) Oct 24, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Tulane Green Wave linebacker Dorian Williams (24) tackles UCF Knights running back Otis Anderson during the second half at the Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) Oct 24, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Tulane Green Wave safety Chase Kuerschen (36) reaches for UCF Knights quarterback Dillon Gabriel (11) during the second quarter at the Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 2, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights players wait for their introduction in the tunnel before a game against the Houston Cougars at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 2, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights running back Bentavious Thompson (right) runs for a 32 yard gain against Houston Cougars safety Grant Stuard (3) during the second half at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 2, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Tre Nixon (16) and offensive lineman Samuel Jackson (73) celebrate after a touchdown against the Houston Cougars during the second half at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 1, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton (10) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Temple Owlsat Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 1, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights running back Taj McGowan (4) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Temple Owls at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 1, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights have designed a special helmet paint scheme to commemorate the "Space Game" before the game against the Temple Owls at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 1, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights place kicker Matthew Wright (11) wears a special Jersey to commemorate the "Space Game" before the game against the Temple Owls at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, USA TODAY Sports) 1 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 7, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. (7) avoids being tackled during the second half against the Houston Cougars at Acrisure Bounce House. What is UCF Space Game? Annual tradition reaches 10th year with new uniforms (Mike Watters, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 7, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. (7) avoids being tackled during the second half against the Houston Cougars at Acrisure Bounce House. What is UCF Space Game? Annual tradition reaches 10th year with new uniforms (Mike Watters, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 7, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Cougars at Acrisure Bounce House. See 2026 UCF football Space Game uniforms for upcoming matchup with Baylor (Mike Watters, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 7, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights dance team performs before the game against the Houston Cougars at Acrisure Bounce House. The Citronauts name on the uniform commemorates UCF's roots as a school — then known as Florida Technological University. (Mike Watters, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 2, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Dylan Rizk (10) drops back to throw against the Arizona Wildcats during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images) 5 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 2, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) runs the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images) 6 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Rashod Owens (10) is tackled by UCF Knights defensive back Brandon Adams (31) during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) 7 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights defensive back Demari Henderson (8) celebrates intercepting a Oklahoma State Cowboys pass during the second quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) 8 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Oct 13, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Temple Owls at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) 9 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Oct 13, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Kobe Hudson (2) celebrates after scoring during the second quarter against the Temple Owls at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) 10 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Oct 13, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Kobe Hudson (2) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe (4) during the second half at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) 11 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Oct 22, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Brandon Johnson (3) makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Memphis Tigers defensive back Jacobi Francis (1) during the first quarter at Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) 12 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Oct 22, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back Johnny Richardson (25) carries the ball against the Memphis Tigers during the second half at Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports (Mike Watters, Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports) 13 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Oct 24, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Tulane Green Wave linebacker Dorian Williams (24) tackles UCF Knights running back Otis Anderson during the second half at the Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) 14 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Oct 24, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Tulane Green Wave safety Chase Kuerschen (36) reaches for UCF Knights quarterback Dillon Gabriel (11) during the second quarter at the Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) 15 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 2, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights players wait for their introduction in the tunnel before a game against the Houston Cougars at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) 16 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 2, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights running back Bentavious Thompson (right) runs for a 32 yard gain against Houston Cougars safety Grant Stuard (3) during the second half at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) 17 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 2, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Tre Nixon (16) and offensive lineman Samuel Jackson (73) celebrate after a touchdown against the Houston Cougars during the second half at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) 18 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 1, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton (10) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Temple Owlsat Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) 19 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 1, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights running back Taj McGowan (4) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Temple Owls at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) 20 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 1, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights have designed a special helmet paint scheme to commemorate the "Space Game" before the game against the Temple Owls at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports) 21 / 21 See the UCF Knights in annual Space Game Nov 1, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights place kicker Matthew Wright (11) wears a special Jersey to commemorate the "Space Game" before the game against the Temple Owls at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports (Reinhold Matay, USA TODAY Sports) UCF won each of its first eight Space Games by an average margin of 30.7 points per contest.
However, Houston handed the Knights their first loss last November. Kentrell Webb intercepted Davi Belfort in the end zone with 11 seconds left to seal a 30-27 victory for the visiting Cougars.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Space Game week is here. How it became football tradition with cool uniforms
Source: Sports
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