UCF’s home game against Arizona State on Saturday, Nov. 14 has been pushed back to 5:30 p.m. Eastern after the nationwide FAA ground stop disrupted the Sun Devils’ travel plans to Orlando.
The game had originally been listed for 3:30 p.m. at Acrisure Bounce House. It is now set for 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU after Arizona State’s flight was affected Friday, forcing the team to adjust its trip east.
Travel issues changed the plan
Arizona State was scheduled to make its first football trip to Orlando this weekend, but the FAA stoppage created delays across the country Friday. The broader travel disruption affected multiple college football programs, and Arizona State was among the teams still trying to reach its road destination ahead of kickoff.
By late Friday, reports on the schedule shift indicated the extra two hours would give the Sun Devils more time to arrive and prepare for the game. Earlier official previews from both schools had listed the matchup at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, with UCF’s athletics site also carrying that start time during the week.
Arizona State’s official schedule later showed the game time as to be determined, reflecting the uncertainty created by the travel delay.
What the change means for UCF
For UCF, the opponent and stakes remain the same even with a later start. The Knights enter the game at 5-4 overall and 3-3 in Big 12 play after last week’s 33-32 road win at Kansas. Arizona State also comes in at 5-4 and 3-3 after beating Colorado.
The schedule change does alter the day for fans planning to attend in Orlando or watch from home. It also changes the TV window, with the updated listing putting the game on ESPNU instead of the earlier network designation attached to the original 3:30 p.m. start.
Social media reaction Friday night centered less on the matchup itself and more on the unusual circumstances. Fans and observers tracking college football travel issues noted that Arizona State was one of several teams dealing with the FAA stoppage, and that UCF’s game was among those adjusted to keep the matchup on Saturday.
What comes next
Barring any further changes, UCF and Arizona State are now set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday in Orlando. Fans can follow game-day updates through UCF Athletics as the Knights prepare to host the Sun Devils.
