The greatest player in UCF history is returning to Orlando this week for a game that's one of the most anticipated matchups of the UFL season.
Knights legend Daunte Culpepper, now the starting quarterback of the Sacramento Mountain Lions, will return to the stadium where it all began - the Florida Citrus Bowl - as his team takes on the Florida Tuskers this Thursday night.
UCF moved to an on-campus stadium in 2007, but some of the program's best memories come from its Citrus Bowl days when Culpepper suited up for the Knights from 1995-98. The Ocala native helped put UCF on the map, particularly during his junior and senior seasons in 1997 and 1998.
He owns nearly every passing record at UCF and in 1998 set the NCAA mark for single-season completion percentage at .736 (breaking Steve Young's record at BYU) and is one of only three players in NCAA history to have passed for 10,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 yards in a career.
Following his record-setting senior season, Culpepper was awarded the Sammy Baugh Trophy for the Passer of the Year in college football and he was named the nation's Co-Player of the Year (along with Texas' Ricky Williams) by The Sports Network.
Culpepper remains UCF's highest NFL Draft pick as he was taken with the 11th selection overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 1999. He saw his most success during his seven years with the Vikings (he was named to the Pro Bowl in 2000) and in recent years he played for the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions.
In Sacramento, Culpepper is reunited with former Vikings coach Dennis Green, and his head coach at UCF, Mike Kruczek, is the Mountain Lions' offensive coordinator. Former UCF center Mike Mabry also plays for the team.
The Tuskers are offering several special ticket deals to UCF supporters - fans and students alike.
WHAT: The Florida Tuskers of the United Football League host the Sacramento Mountain Lions and QB Daunte Culpepper.
TICKETS: Tickets are $10 for UCF students available by advance purchase only. The Tuskers will be selling the $10 tickets this Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the UCF Student Union as part of Market Day and they can also be purchased via telephone by calling the Tuskers Ticket Office at 407-377-6828.
UCF Alumni can purchase tickets for $14, $17 and $20, which is 50% off regular ticket prices, plus taxes and fees. The offer is available for advance purchase only by calling the Tuskers Ticket Office at 407.377.6828 or at Tickemaster.com using the special code KNIGHT.