The 1998 UCF Golden Knights football season was the twentieth season overall for the team, and third season as an NCAA Division I-A Independent. After the resignation of Gene McDowell, Mike Kruczek became the new head coach of the Golden Knights. Kruczek led UCF to a 9–2 record in 1998, the program's best season at the time. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting and set a then-NCAA record for completion percentage (73.4%). UCF received a tentative verbal agreement to play in the Oahu Bowl. However, the arrangement fell through in the final week of the season.
UCF started out with a bang, routing Louisiana Tech and Eastern Illinois. Daunte Culpepper accounted for seven touchdowns against Eastern Illinois, earning him the USA Today Player of the Week honors.2006 UCF Media Guide At 2–0, the Golden Knights faced Purdue on September 19. It was UCF's first nationally televised game on ESPN. The Golden Knights faltered, however, and lost 35-7.
On November 7 at Auburn, the team experienced one of the most heartbreaking losses in school history. UCF entered with a record of 7-1, working towards a possible at-large bowl bid. Leading 6–3 late in the game, Culpepper fumbled away a bad shotgun snap. Auburn recovered, and threw a 58-yard game-winning touchdown pass with one minute left.
Following the season, Daunte Culpepper was drafted with the 11th pick in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings. It marked the highest draft pick of a UCF player, until Blake Bortles was drafted with the third pick in 2014.
Schedule
Game summaries September 5 — at Louisiana Tech In new head coach Mike Kruczek's debut, the Golden Knights defeated Louisiana Tech by the score of 64–30. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper threw for 370 yards and four touchdown passes without a sack. He also ran for 69 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. UCF built a 17–7 lead in the first quarter. They scored 30 points in the third quarter, and put the game out of reach. Bulldogs quarterback Tim Rattay threw for 524 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown to Troy Edwards, but they could still not keep up with the explosive Golden Knights offense.
September 12 — Eastern Illinois In their first home game of the season, UCF shutout I-AA Eastern Illinois 48–0 at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper threw for 406 yards and four touchdown passes, again without a sack or an interception. The UCF defense achieved their first shutout win since 1994. Despite the win, miscues on offense snuffed out multiple scoring drives. The Golden Knights lost three fumbles, including a fumble into the Panthers end zone that was lost for a touchback. After only two games, Culpepper's stellar passing statistics were drawing attention towards Heisman consideration.
September 19 — at Purdue UCF traveled to Purdue for their first ever nationally televised game on ESPN. The 2–0 Golden Knights were looking for their first win against a major opponent, and hoped to showcase the young program, as well as quarterback Daunte Culpepper, on a national stage. The game did not go UCF's way however. Mistakes and sloppy play saw them fall by the lopsided score of 35–7.
After a scoreless first quarter, Purdue took a 7–0 lead. Drew Brees threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Cox. Paul Miranda returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards for UCF, then Daunte Culpepper found Siaha Burley for a 45-yard pass down to the Purdue 3 yard line. Culpepper's pass to Charles Lee in the endzone went off of his hands and was intercepted by Mike Hawthorne. Three yards deep in the endzone, Hawthorne took off down field going the other way. At the UCF 35, Culpepper chased him down to tackle him, but not before he lateralled the ball to teammate Billy Gustin, who ran it the rest of the way for a 103-yard "pick-6" touchdown. It was Culpepper's first interception of the season, and a huge turning point in the game. The Golden Knights later drove inside the red zone, facing a 4th & Goal inside the 1 yard line. Culpepper was going to run a quarterback sneak, but called an audible at the line of scrimmage. He instead lofted a pass to Siaha Burley, but it fell incomplete, and the Golden Knights turned the ball over on downs. The Boilermakers took a 14–0 lead into halftime.
Purdue got the ball to start the second half. Brees exploited a busted coverage, and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Cliff Jackson to stretch their lead to 21–0. UCF avoided the shutout, scoring on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Burley late in the fourth quarter. Culpepper finished the day with 368 yards passing, and UCF outgained Purdue 470 yards to 429. However, three turnovers, a blocked field goal, and the turnover on downs inside the 1 ruined any chances for the Golden Knights.
September 26 — at Bowling Green UCF traveled to take on winless Bowling Green. The Falcons started off the game with a surprise onside kick, and later executed a fake punt, jumping out to an early 21–7 lead. The Golden Knights rallied in the second half, and came out with a 38–31 victory. Daunte Culpepper threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns, and ran for a touchdown, but also lost a fumble. Culpepper notably moved into first place all-time in school history in career passing yards. Bowling Green had one last chance, scoring a touchdown with just over a minute to go. They attempted an onside kick, but Charles Lee recovered it and UCF ran out the clock to secure the win.
October 3 — at Toledo UCF won their second road victory against a MAC opponent, defeating Toledo 31–24. Daunte Culpepper threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 53 yards and a touchdown. With the Rockets leading 24–17 late in the third quarter, Marv Richardson sacked Toledo quarterback Chris Wallace. UCF linebacker Deon Porter scooped up the fumble and ran it back to the Toledo 1 yard line. Three plays later, Culpepper found Blake Thames for a 1-yard touchdown pass, and tied the score 24–24. Later, Mike Grant's 12-yard touchdown run with 7:59 put the Golden Knights ahead for good.
October 10 — Northern Illinois The Golden Knights hosted Northern Illinois in their second home game of the season. The winless Huskies entered the game riding a 22-game losing streak, and were 35½ point underdogs. Northern Illinois put a scare into the Knights, tying the score 17–17, before UCF pulled away for a 38–17 victory. Three turnovers (two fumbles and one interception), and poor play on defense kept the Huskies in the game during the first half. Daunte Culpepper's 55-yard touchdown pass to Mark Nonsant late in the third quarter finally put the game out of reach. By the conclusion of the game, Culpepper passed Danny Wuerffel for most career passing yards all-time in the state of Florida.
October 24 — at Southwestern Louisiana UCF routed Southwestern Louisiana 42–10 on a record-setting day. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper threw for a then-school record 438 yards, and wide receiver Siaha Burley caught 10 passes (two of which were touchdowns) for a school record 266 yards. Paul Miranda got the rout started early, with a 38-yard interception returned for a touchdown. UCF jumped out to a 21–3 lead, and despite five sacks, controlled the game from start to finish. Culpepper ran for two scores, and threw three touchdown passes of 47 yards, 54 yards, and 50 yards, respectively. The Golden Knights improved to 6–1 on the season.
October 31 — Youngstown State UCF hosted defending I-AA Champion Youngstown State on Halloween. The Golden Knights built a 28–3 lead, but the Penguins rallied late to pull within 6 points. With just over 11 minutes left in regulation, wide receiver Eric Leister fumbled a would-be toss back to Daunte Culpepper. Tony Pannunzio recovered the ball and ran it back for a 24-yard touchdown. The Penguins cut the deficit to 38–32. On their next possession, UCF was forced to punt. They were able to pin Youngstown State back at their own 10. The Golden Knights defense forced a three-and-out, and the Penguins punted. A 15-yard personal foul penalty on the return advanced UCF to the 33 yard line. Culpepper took advantage of the short field, and easily drove for another score. UCF padded their lead to 44–32 with 1:41 to go, and held on for the win.
November 7 — at Auburn
UCF traveled to Auburn to take on the Tigers, their second visit to Jordan–Hare Stadium. The previous meeting in 1997 was a lopsided 41–14 loss. The Golden Knights entered the game with a record of 7–1, while the Tigers were 2–6, suffering through a bad season (head coach Terry Bowden resigned In October). The game was seen as an opportunity for the Golden Knights to notch their first victory against a major Division I-A team, first win against an SEC team, and potentially be a program-defining moment. With bowl scouts in attendance, it was also a showcase for the team to potentially earn their first bowl game invitation. In a defensive struggle, what could have been the team's biggest win to-date turned into one of the most heartbreaking losses in program history.
On a cool, crisp, 57-degree afternoon, under blue skies and little breeze, the Golden Knights had about 2,500 fans make the trip to Auburn, said to be their second-largest away game fan contingent at the time. UCF won the coin toss, and elected to receive. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper drove the Golden Knights 58 yards in 14 plays, twice converting on third down. The drive finally stalled at the Auburn 7 yard line. Fred Waczewski kicked a 24-yard field goal, and UCF took a 3–0 lead. Auburn went three-and-out their first drive, and punted right back to UCF. With a mix of short passes and short runs, Culpepper got UCF in Auburn territory again. Facing a 4th & 5 at the Auburn 37, UCF went for it, but Culpepper's pass was intercepted by Larry Casher at the 21.
Early in the second quarter, Auburn got good field position off of a punt, and had the ball to start their drive at the UCF 45. Gabe Gross was intercepted by Damian Demps. The ball was subsequently fumbled, and ultimately recovered by UCF at the Auburn 36. UCF moved quickly, and had a 1st & Goal at the Auburn 3. Two penalties (False start and Delay of game) stymied the drive, however, and on 3rd & Goal from the 10, Culpepper was intercepted for the second time. Jayson Bray picked off the pass at the 5. The UCF defense did their job, and forced Auburn into another three-and-out. Siaha Burley's 26-yard punt return set the Golden Knights up at the Auburn 24. The Auburn defense stiffened, and kept UCF out of the endzone. Waczewski kicked his second field goal of the game, and UCF led 6–0 at halftime.
Auburn got the ball to start the second half. They crossed midfield, but the drive stalled and they again had to punt. UCF took over at their own 15. After crossing midfield, Culpepper was sacked for a loss of 9, then threw an interception, his third of the game. This time, Auburn was able to get points off of the turnover. Rob Bironas made a 44-yard field goal, and the score was now 6–3. Late in the third quarter, UCF found themselves with a 1st & Goal at the Auburn 6. Another red zone turnover, however, snuffed out the scoring opportunity. Culpepper threw his fourth interception, this time it was Larry Casher picking it off at the goal line.