Houston and Orlando both have ties to NASA and outer space, which makes this weekend’s college football game at UCF even more contentious. Which university is the real Space U?
It depends on who you ask.
Only one of the two college football programs actively promotes its relationship with the cosmic universe. However, the other claims it is stolen valor.
UCF hosts its annual ‘space game’ on Friday.
Every year since 2017, the University of Central Florida football team has worn uniforms that honor the school’s connection to the United States space program. It dates back to 1963.
UCF was founded as Florida Technological University with the mission of providing personnel to support the growing space program at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It offers 35+ space-related degrees. ~30% of employees at the Kennedy Space Center are UCF alumni.
To go even one step further, the 50-yard-line at UCF’s football stadium was intentionally built to line up with the exact latitude as NASA’s most historic launch pad. That often leads to insane images like this:
With these ties to NASA in mind, UCF wears space-specific uniforms for one college football game every year. They even trade out the Knights moniker.
“UCF enters the 2025 season a perfect 8-0 in Space Games. The Knights, known as the Citronauts for these games — as a nod to the Orange-astronaut hybrid who appeared on the 1968-69 student handbook — wear special uniforms with a unique story to tell. Every year’s Space Game uniform is one-of-a-kind and honors different aspects of space exploration happening right here in The City Beautiful.”
Here is a look at this year’s uniforms:
The choice of opponent adds a unique wrinkle to this discussion.
Houston, we have a problem.
UCF enters this weekend at 4-4. Houston enters at 7-2.
Although these two programs are unlikely to play for a Big 12 Championship, the Cougars still have an outside chance if they can win out. Meanwhile, the Citronauts need a win for morale and to get closer to bowl eligibility. It’s a big game. The stakes are even higher when NASA gets involved.
Which school gets to claim Space U?
The case for UCF has already been made but Houston (not-so) subtly pushed back. Its game preview for Friday features multiple shots at its opponent, starting with the title.
“Cougars Rocket into Theme Park Capital of the World”
Houston completely downplayed the role of NASA in Orlando right from the jump. (Plus… rocket!)
If you keep reading, the ‘FIVE THINGS TO KNOW’ section gets spicy. Houston did not hold back.
The majority of this section features commentary about the game itself.
For example: “The Cougars are seeking their first win at UCF since Oct. 24, 2015 when Houston beat UCF 59-10.” Or: “Houston quarterback Conner Weigman threw for four touchdowns and rushed for one touchdown against West Virginia, tying his single-game record for total touchdowns.”
And then it sneaks in a key bullet point about outer space. Right in the middle.
“The University of Houston chosen to help send astronauts to the moon in 1962 before UCF was an institution (1966). Seven years later, Apollo 11 sent man to the moon thanks to the help from University of Houston students, professors and researchers. Houston’s campus is 22.5 miles from the Johnson Space Center, UCF 35 miles from the Kennedy Space Center.”
The Cougars are trying to claim outer space over the Citronauts.
There is only one way to settle this. Winner gets to be known as Space U.