When Gus Malzahn was hired in mid-February, one of the first things he learned about was the War On I-4 rivalry series between UCF and the South Florida Bulls.
“It was the first day I was hired. Somebody told me, ‘Hey, that’s the one,'” Malzahn recalled. “When you take a job, you look. I know how important it is. This will be my first rodeo with this rivalry.”
While Friday’s 3:30 p.m. matchup on ESPN will be Malzahn’s first chance to make his mark on the War On I-4, he has coached in one of the greatest rivalry series in all of college football: The Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama.
Serving as coach at Auburn, Malzahn won the Iron Bowl three times in eight years, which is more impressive than it sounds. He has more wins against Alabama coach Nick Saban than any active coach in the SEC.
While the War On I-4 might not have the same history as the Iron Bowl, Malzahn understands the importance of beating a school’s rival.
While head coach of Springdale High School in northwest Arkansas, his team’s rival was Fayetteville High School.
“It was a real rivalry. It was personal,” Malzahn said. “When you know everybody in the town, that’s a personal deal.
“That was really my first real rivalry when you know it’s so important and you better win or you may not want to go to work the next day.”
In 2005 during Malzahn’s last season at Springdale before taking a coordinator job at Arkansas, the Bulldogs beat Fayetteville, 56-14. He led Springdale to an undefeated season and a state championship.
“That really prepared me for the Iron Bowl,” Malzahn said. “That was a pretty good one, too. Looking forward to this one also.”
The Knights shared their feelings with Malzahn on the history between the schools. UCF has won 4 straight to even the all-time series 6-6:
“I don’t like that team,” linebacker Tatum Bethune said. “I hate them.”
“It’s backyard football,” defensive lineman Anthony Montalvo added. “I just want to win.”
“It’s ‘horns down’ all week,” offensive lineman Sam Jackson said in reference to the Bulls.
South Florida (2-9, 1-6 AAC) is having a bad season, but the Knights (7-4, 4-3) aren’t taking their rival for granted. In fact, Malzahn is preparing for the Bulls to throw everything at them Friday in the regular-season finale.
The Knights are bowl eligible. This is as close to a bowl as the Bulls will get this season.
“You throw out the record books in any rivalry,” Malzahn said. “We’re getting their best. They’re getting our best. That’s part of being rivalry and what makes rivalries special. Throw the records out the door and see who the best is.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
