The UCF football team landed in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 27, eager to experience the environment surrounding the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.
The Knights have fond memories at the Fiesta Bowl, where they upset Baylor in 2014. With that victory, UCF became the youngest school (1963) and football program (1979) to win a BCS bowl game.
They’re back for more, and while they have spent the last week preparing for their Jan. 1 showdown with LSU, they’ve also grown closer as a team and given back to the community.
![sign that reads "they don't belong" as a player breaks through the word "don't"](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/airport-signage.jpg)
![Three men laugh while holding golf clubs in a lounge setting](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/topgolf.jpg)
At a team bonding event on Dec. 29, the team debated who is the real pro of Topgolf amid some friendly competition at the driving range.
![A man with long hair wearing a beanie and black shirt and khaki pants takes a golf swing at a driving range at night](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/loudermilk-topgolf.jpg)
Senior punter Mac Loudermilk ’18 was a natural at the range. His golf swing has become synonymous with his on-field celebrations.
![Parade float of a glitter football trophy as it makes it way down the street on a cloudless blue sky day.](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/ucf-fiesta-parade.jpg)
![Three cheerleaders wearing black letterman jackets walk down a parade route.](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/ucf-fiesta-parade-cheer.jpg)
![UCF mascot Knightro shakes hands with children.](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/ucf-fiesta-parade-knightro.jpg)
![Jeweled tone sky with dusty mountains](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/Piestewa-Peak-cm.jpg)
“It’s absolutely been a great experience for our players. All of the team activities have been a lot of fun, an opportunity for our kids to get a chance to see a different part of the country than what they’ve experienced, and have really enjoyed it.” — UCF head coach Josh Heupel
![Three football players admire the Fiesta Bowl trophy](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/ucf-fiesta-bowl-cm.jpg)
![Three football players take photos with their cell phones of gold football-shaped Fiesta Bowl trophy](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/ucf-fiesta-trophy-cm.jpg)
![Two men talk in a hotel ballroom](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/dale-bianchi.jpg)
![Three football players and a yellow sun mascot do pushups in front of a room of spectators](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/pushups-mascot.jpg)
![A football player sits in front of a media backdrop and answers questions into microphones from media members](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/mack-interview.jpg)
“My teammates having the confidence in me has really helped me out a lot.” — Darriel Mack Jr.
![A football player points and smiles at the camera, blue sky in the background](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/otis.jpg)
![a group of football players huddles on the football field](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/ucf-team-practice.jpg)
One of the team’s last practices of the 2018 season took place in front of a stunning backdrop.
![A child tackles a tackling dummy with football players supervising on a dirt lot](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/ucf-team-outreach.jpg)
The Knights taught children from military families football drills as part of a community service outreach event following Dec. 30’s practice at Scottsdale Community College.
![Two players hold tackling mats as a teenage boy rushes to tackle](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/ucf-outreach.jpg)
![Night sky full of stars and a burst of orange light on the horizon](https://www.ucf.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2018/12/milky-way.jpg)
UCF’s mottos to “Reach for the Stars” takes on a whole new meaning in remote Arizona.