UCF wants Texas in '07
The powerful Longhorns could help the Knights open their new stadium in a game on ESPN.
Kyle Hightower
Sentinel Staff Writer
April 25, 2006
They say everything is bigger in Texas, especially college football. Well, if everything goes right, Orlando and UCF could be getting a bite of that national spotlight soon.
UCF assistant athletic director John Marini confirmed talks are under way between UCF and Texas for future football games. The 2007 game would be in Orlando -- the first game in UCF's new on-campus stadium -- and would be televised by ESPN. In return, UCF would play two games at Texas later this decade.
Coach George O'Leary was at a charity golf event Monday and was unavailable for comment, as was Athletic Director Steve Orsini.
O'Leary unveiled the possibility Friday to those in attendance at the kickoff event of his 2006 summer coaches tour at UCF's on-campus Fairwinds Alumni Center.
UCF currently has signed contracts to play non-conference games against Florida, Middle Tennessee and Louisiana-Lafayette in 2007. A game at Tennessee is expected to be bought out, and the continuation of the USF series remains up in the air. A game with Texas would seem to be a replacement for the lost game against the Volunteers.