My story:
UCF's season-opening football game against FIU has been moved up two days to Thursday, Aug. 31.
The game will kick off from Spectrum Stadium at 6 p.m. with national television coverage from CBS Sports Network. It will be part of an opening-night American Athletic Conference doubleheader as their coverage will conclude with Memphis' opener against Louisiana-Monroe. UCF hosts Memphis the second week of the season.
UCF-FIU had originally been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 2. Sources tell UCFSports.com the game was initially selected by a TV partner for a 12 noon kickoff, prompting school leaders to explore date alternatives to ensure an evening kickoff which is considered optimal for attendance and fan comfort.
On top of that, kicking off the season two days earlier allows more preparation time for the pivotal week two game vs. Memphis, which already had an early opener. The Tigers are considered by many to be the preseason favorite in the West Division of the American.
The 2017 season will see significant changes to the newly-renamed Spectrum Stadium with the debut of the new stadium club, expanded Carl Black & Gold Cabana, field cabanas and dual end zone student sections. Ribbon boards will also be added to complement the new video board that was installed last year.
2017 UCF Football Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 31 – FIU, 6 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Sept. 9 – Memphis, 8 p.m. (ESPNews)
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m. (ESPNews)
Saturday, Sept. 23 – at Maryland, TBA
Saturday, Sept. 30 – Maine, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Saturday, Oct. 7 – at Cincinnati, TBA
Saturday, Oct. 14 – ECU, TBA
Saturday, Oct. 21 – at Navy, 3:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Nov. 4 – at SMU, TBA
Saturday, Nov. 11 – UConn, TBA
Saturday, Nov. 18 – at Temple, TBA
Friday, Nov. 24 – USF, TBA
