Conference Independent | 2000 record 7–4 | |
 | ||
Head coach Mike Kruczek (3rd year) Home stadium Citrus Bowl
(Capacity: 65,438) | ||
The 2000 UCF Golden Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. Their head coach was Mike Kruczek, who was in his third season with the team.
2000 marked the Golden Knights fifth season since ascending to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in 1996.
Quarterback Vic Penn was sidelined after four games with a separated shoulder. Redshirt freshman Ryan Schneider was elevated to starting quarterback, and won his first start, a 31-10 triumph over Eastern Michigan.
During the season, UCF recorded its biggest win in program history to date, when the Golden Knights upset the Alabama Crimson Tide during their Homecoming 40–38 on a last-second field goal by Javier Beorlegui. The victory was part of a mid-season streak where the Golden Knights won six out of seven games.
The season finale was a much-anticipated, nationally-televised match-up hosting #8 Virginia Tech. Over 50,000 fans packed the Citrus Bowl, and Hokies quarterback Michael Vick sat out with an ankle injury. Mistakes ruled the day, as Ryan Schneider threw four interceptions, and the Hokies jumped out to a 30-7 halftime lead. Lee Suggs rushed for five touchdowns, as the Knights fell 44-21.
Despite a strong 7-4 record, the Golden Knights were not selected for a bowl at the end of the season. The lack of a conference affiliation worked heavily against UCF's favor, and rumors of a possible invitation to the Las Vegas Bowl never came to fruition.