UCF Knights issued one-year postseason ban

By Kevin Kelley -

UCF KnightsThe UCF Knights have been issued a one-year postseason ban for major recruiting violations uncovered in football and basketball last year.

Central Florida was also cited for lack of institutional control, fined $50,000 and placed on 5-years probation, among other penalties.

UCF President John Hitt said the school planned to accept all of the penalties, but after talking with head coach George O’Leary, the Knights will likely appeal the postseason ban in football.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the NCAA usually suspends sanctions while a case is under appeal. That means UCF could possibly be eligible for the 2012 C-USA Championship Game and a bowl berth.

If the Knights lose the appeal, they would have to serve their postseason ban after the 2013 regular season.

In a poll at the Conference USA Media Days, UCF was picked to finish first in the Eastern Division. The Knights open the 2012 season on Thursday, Aug. 30 at Akron.

UCF is the fourth team banned from playing in a 2012-13 bowl game. They join North Carolina, Ohio State, and Penn State.

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Comments (4)

That’s the fourth postseason ban for the upcoming season. Hasn’t anyone learned the lesson? If you break the rules, YOU WILL GET CAUGHT. It’s a matter of when, not if.

Also, I’d recommend UCF drop the appeal. The kinds of cases are almost never overturned, and it’s better they enter their first season in the Big East eligible.

Central Florida is appealing. They are not going to win. So they will win C-USA this year and go to the Liberty Bowl. Seems dumb they would rather play in the Liberty Bowl this year than have a shot at a BCS bowl next year in the Big East.

It actually doesn’t seem dumb at all. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. UCF will most likely make it to the Liberty Bowl which is almost a guarantee where as a BCS bowl game next year is definitely possible but hardly a guarantee.