Notably, the UCF Knights would not lose another game until the 2019 Fiesta Bowl.

On December 4, 2016, it was announced that the 2016 matchup would feature the UCF Knights taking on the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

[6][7] The two teams have only played each other once before, with the Knights defeating the Indians (as ASU was then known as) at Centennial Bank Stadium 31-20 in 1991.

[8] After finishing the season with a 7-5 record, the Red Wolves will be appearing in their sixth straight bowl game.

[9] Following the winless 2015 season,[10] first year coach Scott Frost led the team to a 6-6 record with wins over South Carolina State, FIU, East Carolina, Connecticut, Tulane, and Cincinnati.