The Knights were led by first-year head coach Gus Malzahn and played their home games at Bounce House in Orlando, Florida.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a season-ending broken clavicle, and by season's end, elected to enter the NCAA's transfer portal, eventually opting to play at Oklahoma.

Injuries to running back Isaiah Bowser, defensive tackle Kalia Davis, wide receiver Jaylon Robinson, linebacker Tatum Bethune, center Corey Thornton, and several others, shuffled the starting lineups.

Former quarterback McKenzie Milton, who suffered a serious leg injury in 2018, entered the transfer portal at the end of 2020, and departed for Florida State.

Three former Auburn players followed Gus Malzahn to UCF, including senior DE Markaviest "Big Kat" Bryant.

On their first drive of the first quarter, quarterback Dillon Gabriel swiftly drove the Knights to the Boise State 8 yard line.

Trailing 21–0, the Knights finally got on the board with a 23-yard catch and run touchdown by Alec Holler early in the second quarter.

This time a touchdown pass from Gabriel to Brandon Johnson, who caught the ball on the right side of the endzone, his foot just inches from being out-of-bounds.

With UCF leading 30–24, momentum shifted back to the Broncos after Tyric LeBeauf intercepted Gabriel for the second time.

Gabriel drove the Knights 75 yards in ten plays (including a Targeting penalty by the Broncos), capped off with a 9-yard go-ahead touchdown run by Isaiah Bowser.

A rash of injuries were suffered during the night, sidelining several starters, including a fractured clavicle by quarterback Dillon Gabriel on the final play of the game.

On 3rd & 4, with 25 seconds left, Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham was pressured and his pass was tipped and intercepted by Tre'mon Morris-Brash.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, however, Gabriel's pass intended for Amari Johnson was deflected off of the receiver and fell into the hands of defender Jaylin Alderman.

With six key starters – including quarterback Dillon Gabriel – missing the game with injuries, the Knights fell at Navy by the score of 34–30.

Running back Mark-Antony Richards punched the ball in from the 1 yard line with 23 seconds left in the game as UCF defeated East Carolina 20–16.

Twice in the fourth quarter, the Tigers drove into the red zone, and both times Parrish had a pass deflected in the endzone for an interception.

Freshman quarterback Mikey Keene threw a career-best five touchdown passes as the Knights soundly defeated Temple.

For the second consecutive week, the Knights held their opponent to only 7 points, and dating back to the previous game, achieved five straight shutout quarters.

Quarterback Mikey Keene connected with Ryan O'Keefe for a 53-yard gain, then for a 15-yard catch and run screen pass for the touchdown.

Though it appeared to be an incomplete pass, the play was ruled a fumble and Tulane picked up the ball and ran it back to the UCF 29 yard line.

The turnover was moot, as the Green Wave subsequently went three-and-out and kicker Merek Glover missed a 42-yard field goal to end the half.

Trailing by three, the Knights had a touchdown run by Johnny Richardson called back due to a holding penalty, then three plays later, missed a field goal attempt.

With 55 seconds left and counting, in what was the defensive play of the game, Quadric Bullard sacked Michael Pratt back at the Tulane 49 yard line.

UCF hosted conference rival South Florida on Black Friday in the War on I-4 in their regular season finale.

UCF defeated the Gators for the first time, behind standout performances by wide receiver, and game MVP, Ryan O'Keefe and running back Isaiah Bowser.

UCF elected to go for two, but Andrew Brito's pass to Jake Hescock fell incomplete, and the Gators held a 7–6 lead.

The Gators kicking woes came to light when Chris Howard ended the drive with a missed a 34-yard field goal attempt.

At the Gators 41, Keen pitched a reverse to Ryan O'Keefe, who broke free for a 34-yard gain down to the 7 yard line.

Emory Jones moved the Gators down the field with a quick 20-yard pass to Rick Wells, followed by a 32-yard run by Malik Davis.

[14] A scary moment occurred with just over two minutes left in the game when Gators wide receiver Justin Shorter went up to catch a pass, but collided with Quadric Bullard.