When a team gets to travel and participate in the activities leading up to a bowl game, it’s an exciting trip for coaches and players alike.
For UCF defensive end Josh Celiscar, this week’s experience at the Military Bowl vs. Duke means even more.
Celiscar’s sister, Sophonie, serves in the Army while his brother, Kenely, serves in the Navy.
So when the Knights had the opportunity to assemble care packages with the United Service Organizations on Tuesday for U.S. troops overseas, Celiscar had his family on his mind.
The packages included snacks and treats as well as handwritten notes from the players.
“It just makes me feel good because I know they’re doing a lot of work right now,” he told the Orlando Sentinel. “My sister is stationed over here, so I’m hoping I can see her.
“To me, it meant a lot to be here and send out good notes to the troops,” he added. “I wrote a lot of Bible verses that I recently got to learn. I just feel blessed to be in this situation.”
Celiscar said he’ll be playing for his brother and sister when UCF faces the Blue Devils.
“My sister works hard and I know my brother does, too,” he said. “They’re doing a lot of work. Without them, the world doesn’t go around, so they’re making a lot of sacrifices.”
GAME AT A GLANCE
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
When: 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: FM 96.9/AM 740 The Game
Weather: 43 degrees, 0% rain chance
Favorite: Blue Devils by 3.5
Online: @therealBeede on Twitter
Coaches: Gus Malzahn, 2nd season at UCF, 18-8 (95-46 overall); Mike Elko, 1st season at Duke, 8-4 overall.
Quick slant: UCF and Duke have never met in football. The teams share two common opponents this season. Both defeated Temple at home — UCF won 70-13 on Oct. 13 and Duke won 30-0 on Sept. 2 — and they also faced Georgia Tech. The Knights defeated Georgia Tech at home 27-10 on Sept. 24 while the Blue Devils lost in overtime 23-20 Oct. 8 on the road.
About UCF (9-4, 6-2 AAC): The Knights are aiming to win their 10th game this season, something that’s been done just eight times in the FBS era of the program. UCF had the chance to host the AAC title game before dropping a home game to Navy on Nov. 19. The following week on the road the Knights rallied and clinched a spot in the championship game by beating rival USF 46-39 in Tampa. Traveling to Tulane for the second time in four weeks, UCF lost 45-28 to the Green Wave on Dec. 3 in New Orleans. There has been a significant change to both the roster and coaching staff since the conference championship, including the departure of defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Travis Williams (Arkansas) and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey (UNC). Wide receiver Ryan O’Keefe, linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste and cornerback Davonte Brown are among others who won’t be participating in the bowl game after entering the NCAA transfer portal. UCF promoted defensive backs coach Addison Williams to defensive coordinator while it’s still searching to replace Lindsey.
About Duke (8-4, 5-3 ACC): The Blue Devils have put together a turnaround season after winning just three games last year. First-year head coach Mike Elko was named the ACC Coach of the Year, becoming just the fifth coach in program history to earn the award. Duke is playing in a bowl game for the first time since 2018 after finishing second in the ACC’s Coastal Division. Elko became just the second head coach in school history to lead his team to bowl eligibility in his first season, joining Fred Goldsmith from 1994. Duke sophomore quarterback Riley Leonard has thrown for 2,794 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 636 yards with 11 scores. He is one of three quarterbacks nationally with at least 11 rushing and 20 or more passing scores on the year, joining Oregon’s Bo Nix and UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Leonard became the first player in Duke history with 10 or more rushing and at least 20 passing touchdowns in a season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Can UCF run the ball successfully? The Knights average 236.1 rushing yards, good for No. 8 nationally. The Blue Devils rank No. 26 in the country in rush defense, limiting opposing teams to an average of 121 yards. UCF has rushed for 200 or more yards in 9 of its 13 games while Duke has given up more than 200 yards rushing in a game just twice.
2. Who can take care of the football? The Blue Devils don’t fumble often. They’re tied for 10th in the country with just 4 lost fumbles. The same can’t be said for UCF. The Knights are tied for 125th (out of 131) in fumbles lost with 13. Duke is No. 1 nationally for most fumbles recovered with 15 while UCF is tied for 13th in that area with 12.
3. Who starts off fast? UCF is 7-0 this season after scoring first while Duke is 6-0 scoring first. The Knights are 2-4 when the opponent scores first. Since 2017, the Blue Devils are 14-2 when scoring a touchdown on their opening possession.
Email Jason Beede at or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
