ORLANDO, Fla. — Coming off a week when Hurricane Ian forced a postponement of its game twice and disrupted preparations, UCF will take on SMU at 7 p.m. Wednesday at FBC Mortgage Stadium on campus.

The game, which originally was scheduled for last Saturday, initially was postponed to the following day. However, it later was rescheduled again to Wednesday night.

The game marks the beginning of American Athletic Conference play for the Knights (3-1, 0-0 AAC) and the Mustangs (2-2, 0-0 AAC). UCF’s loss was against Louisville in Week 2, and SMU’s losses came to TCU and Maryland.

College football teams tend to like routine so the outcome could be affected by which one is less distracted by playing on a Wednesday night and whether the Knights can focus after several days of storms and post-storm recovery.

SMU is averaging 38.5 points per game and has allowed 22.5 points per game. UCF is averaging 34.25 ppg and has given up just 13.5 ppg.

While the players focus on the game, hurricane recovery efforts will remain on the minds of fans and others in the UCF community. A moment of support will be shared before kickoff and QR codes will be provided on the stadium video board and on the concourse during the game to give those interested the opportunity to donate to recovery efforts.

UCF Athletics and the Knights Pantry also are asking fans to bring nonperishable items to help students whose homes were impacted by Hurricane Ian. The UCF Equipment Truck on IOA plaza (across from gates 2-5) will be the campus collection site Wednesday. The pantry is looking for bottled water and protein-rich items such as canned meats, canned fish, peanut butter, bars, vegan protein sources as well as single-use toiletries and can openers. Fans can also donate to Emergency Relief for our UCF Family.

In addition, UCF will unite with other in-state college football programs by wearing One Florida decals on the back of the helmets. The team will also wear One Florida pregame and sideline shirts to share its continued support of relief efforts: 

• In partnership with FloGrown, One Florida shirts will be available for purchase with 100% of profits going to hurricane relief efforts. Click here to purchase and support.

Since classes will not be canceled Wednesday afternoon, hours for parking lots and pregame festivities also have changed. All pregame activities will take place in the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village. Memory Mall and Greeks on the Green will return next week. 

Parking and bus schedules will be as follows.

• Parking: 
  • Gold Zone Village (E lots, Softball, Baseball and Garage F) opens at 4 p.m. 
  • Gold Zone campus (Garage C & D, Lots C1-C3, D1-D2, Arboretum) opens at 5 p.m. 
  • General parking in Garage H Opens at 5 p.m. for a $20 donation that supports student scholarships.

• Shuttles: 
  • Will operate student shuttle buses for all normally serviced apartment complexes including NorthView, Tivoli and Northgate since classes are in session. Shuttles will operate continuously from 6:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. The Rosen and Downtown shuttles will operate on their respective daily schedule with a final departure from Main Campus at 11 p.m.
  • Park and Ride will remain four hours before kickoff to two hours after kickoff 
  • ADA Shuttle will remain four hours before kickoff to two hours after kickoff