The venue had a legacy as the longest-running college club in downtown Orlando. It was known for its intimate EDM vibe featuring neon lighting, exposed brick walls, and a high-energy atmosphere, set in an industrial loft-style aesthetic. 

On their Instagram account, the owners cited several reasons contributing to their tough decision to shut down, including rising operational costs, high AMS fees, and changing demographics that no longer support the businesses that once contributed to Orlando’s famous downtown nightlife.

In their message, they notably mentioned the violence and decreased safety that infected the city’s bustling atmosphere, and emphasized that the lack of support from local leadership and Orlando city officials has only increased their struggles to maintain their business.

This Sunday, The Attic will open its doors one last time to the public for a final night of fun, closing out nearly 16 years of operations in downtown Orlando history.

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This came after a record- breaking season he had with the Knights, marking the highest scoring average under Dawkins and the most by a Knights team in the Division I era.

During this season, the Knights had three Top 25 wins: 17th ranked Kansas, 11th ranked Texas Tech, and 19th ranked BYU. This, along with the Knights averaging 80.7 points a game, and more, earned them a ticket to dance in March. The Knights lost in the first round to the 7th seeded UCLA Bruins.

Dawkins will be extended for three more years, until the end of the 2029-2030 season. The Knights will prepare for their 4th season in Big 12 basketball.

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Orlando returned to Inter&Co Stadium after two weeks away in the state of Texas. This game proved important, as the result could shake up the entire playoff picture. 

Storm quarterback Jack Plummer wasted no time and quickly captained a three-and-a-half-minute drive that would culminate in a 62-yard passing touchdown to Chris Rowland. 

DC moved down the field but were unable to make it past Orlando’s 43-yard line. Kicker Matt McCrane would give the Defenders their first points of the evening. 

The remainder of the first quarter would be all defense until DC would take the lead with 51 seconds remaining after running back Deon Jackson would punch the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. 

As the second quarter was beginning, the Storm’s Jack Plummer would once again take no time to lead another scoring drive. This time, he would find Elijhah Badger for a 41-yard passing touchdown. 

Orlando would score once again with 3:38 remaining in the half, this time it was Cam Camper with a four-yard receiving touchdown, giving the Storm a 21-10 lead going into halftime. This would be Orlando’s highest-scoring first half of the season. 

Coming back from halftime, the Defenders and the Storm would score a field goal each during the third quarter. DC would attempt a fake punt with 18 seconds left, but came up short of the first down. Orlando would regain possession to start the fourth quarter. 

For most of the remaining quarter, the Storm would run the ball with the hopes of icing the game. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane would make two field goals this quarter, but they were clearly not enough for DC. 

With 25 seconds left, Orlando kicker Michael Lantz would hit his second field goal of the evening, making the Storm’s seventh victory this season official. 

The final score from Inter&Co Stadium was 27-19 in favor of the Storm as they now improve to 7-2 and remain in sole possession of the number one seed. Up next, they will travel to Washington, D.C., to once again take on the Defenders on Sunday, May 31st, for their season finale.

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This is yet another franchise first, as the Storm’s first year in the UFL continues to exceed expectations under the command of head coach Anthony Becht.

Looking at the standings, the Storm are currently the number one seed with a 6-2 record. The full league standings are as follows:

1. Orlando Storm – 6-2
2. St. Louis Battlehawks – 5-2
3. DC Defenders – 5-2
4. Birmingham Stallions – 3-4
5. Louisville Kings – 3-4
6. Dallas Renegades – 3-5
7. Houston Gamblers – 2-5
8. Columbus Aviators – 2-5

The UFL’s playoff system has the four teams with the best record move on to the postseason. If the playoffs were to start today, those teams would be:

1. Orlando Storm
2. St. Louis Battlehawks
3. DC Defenders
4. Birmingham Stallions

Both playoff games will be played on the same day, June 7th, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET.

The winner of each game will move on and play in the United Bowl, the UFL’s championship game, set to be played in Washington D.C. on June 13th, 2026. 

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During UCF’s graduation ceremony on May 8th at 7 pm, Gloria Caulfield, the Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Tavistock Development Company, took the stage to speak to the graduates. Everything was going smoothly as the speaker began encouraging the graduates to “soak in this experience”.

The speaker went on to discuss famous leaders from around the world and how they were once dreamers, just like the young graduates, and to discuss Jeff Bezos’s journey in depth.

The speech continued without issue, and the speaker even praised the arts, such as theatre, music, and art as medicine. She then cited research stating that it’s critical to human health.

However, once the speaker began discussing change, she boldly stated:
“The rise of artificial intelligence is the next industrial revolution.” This was met with an uproar of boos. One student was heard yelling, “AI sucks!” at the speaker.

Claufield tried to laugh off the graduates’ responses and continued speaking about AI, remarking how it was not a factor in our lives a few years ago. This statement was interrupted by graduates’ cheering.

Laughing off the response once again, the speaker continued to praise AI and was met with more boos.

Claufield then went on to compare the rise of the internet to the rise of AI.

At the end of her speech, she proceeded to insist on the importance of communication, and for the third time, she called this another industrial revolution and concluded her speech.

Knight News reached out to some of the graduates who were in attendance, and many seemed to agree that what the speaker had to say was extremely “tone deaf” on the topic.

“As someone going into journalism along with my colleagues who graduated that night, our career path is compromised by AI. The same can be said by those in the college of arts and humanities,” said Don Strouble, who continued to emphasize that many people are at risk from AI use.

He added that he felt pro-AI business people were trying to “force a state of acceptance about something hostile to not only our livelihood but the environment and the livelihood of people living near data centers.”

Another graduate, Jason Gansham, shared similar sentiments, also calling the speaker tone deaf, considering the demographic she was speaking to and that the graduates are all heading into the workforce for entry-level positions, which are trending to be eliminated thanks to AI.

Another student getting their master’s, Braondon Cominksy, said, “The whole speech praising AI was out of touch with reality and left many of us feeling upset and not inspired.”

From the students interviewed by Knight News, all seemed to share a similar opinion: Caufield’s remarks were tone-deaf to the damage AI has done to the workforce and the environment, and the students made it very clear at the ceremony.

This is the full clip in question.

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The Storm would find themselves struggling early, as Jack Plummer would drive down the field, but then fumbled a snap to turn the ball over.  

As the Stallions gained possession, Thompson-Robinson would only need three plays to drive down the field and give Birmingham the lead after a Snoop Conner rushing touchdown. 

On the following Storm drive, they would turn the ball over again, and the Stallions would get the ball back. Thompson-Robinson would capitalize as he found receiver Justyn Ross for his first passing touchdown of the afternoon. 

Orlando was finally able to get some luck on their side and scored their first touchdown of the game after Plummer found receiver Chris Rowland for the score, making it a 7-14 ballgame at the end of the first quarter. 

With roughly nine minutes left in the second quarter, the Storm would tie the game after KJ Hamler caught a five-yard pass from Jack Plummer, and the game was 14-a-piece. 

Lots of defense would be played, and no points would be scored until there were three minutes left in the half, as Birmingham kicker Anders Carlson would give the Stallions the lead after hitting a 38-yard field goal, making the score 17-14 going into halftime. 

Coming back from halftime, no points would be scored throughout the third quarter. Orlando would fumble the ball twice more, but Birmingham was unable to capitalize and put any points on the board. 

Fast forward to the fourth quarter, and with roughly 13 minutes remaining on the clock, the Stallions would extend their lead as Carlson would make his second field goal of the afternoon. 

The Storm would have their chance to retaliate and finally take the lead, but would stall after reaching Birmingham’s 25-yard line and would have to settle for a field goal, making the score 17-20. 

Orlando would then have one final opportunity to score, but they elected to punt on a 4th and 2 with the game on the line. The Stallions would run out the clock and would get their second win of the season.

The final score from Inter&Co Stadium was 20-17 in favor of Birmingham. The Storm have now dropped their last two games after starting 4-0. 

They will look to turn the page as they head to Texas for their next two games, first against the Houston Gamblers and then the Arlington Renegades, before heading home for their final home game of the regular season on May 22nd.

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The event, hosted by the UCF College Republicans chapter, was held in the College of Sciences Building and attracted approximately 300 attendees, including UCF students and members of the general public.

James Fishback, a fourth-generation Floridian who has toured the state to reach younger voters, centered his platform on fiscal issues affecting Florida families, including lower grocery prices, affordable housing, and access to retirement security.

His campaign also highlighted his goals of limiting H-1B visas, eliminating property taxes, and protecting women and “pre-born lives”, among other issues Fishback held concern for Florida’s economy and society

During his speech, Fishback delved deeper into his policies, emphasizing his campaign’s commitment to prioritizing American citizens.

“From here on out, it is America first,” he declared when criticizing the federal taxpayer spending priorities.

Fishback maintained a fluid speaking style throughout his speech, alternating between sharp, biting remarks and well-timed humor, drawing laughter from an otherwise attentive audience. He embedded quotes from figures such as George Orwell, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and Ronald Reagan to further emphasize his points.

Among his policy proposals, Fishback pointed to the possibility of revisiting the investigations tied to the Epstein Files, a case with longstanding ties to Florida, framing it as an issue of transparency and accountability across both Republicans and Democrats in office.

“I don’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat,” he stated with conviction, “If you are in those files, you must be brought to justice.”

The reference drew a noticeable reaction of supportive applause from the audience, touching on a case that has remained a point of public interest in Florida since renewed attention during President Trump’s campaign, when he supported releasing the files.

Fishback tied this to one of his more widely discussed proposals: to tax OnlyFans “into oblivion,” as he put it, stating that he would ensure the government “works for you” for women undergoing financial hardship, reducing reliance on alternative sources of income.

Referencing a recent case at Florida International University involving a woman who was arrested after making a controversial statement in a group chat that references Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Fishback posed a rhetorical question to the audience about whether the outcome would have been the same under different circumstances. 

He had used the incident to raise broader questions about free speech and whether similar statements would be treated differently depending on which political figures were involved.

As several audience members responded in agreement, one student in the front row dissented, catching Fishback’s attention.

Fishback challenged him, pausing his speech to address the comment and hear the student’s reasoning.

The student briefly elaborated on the matter, and the exchange brought a certain tension to the event, drawing the audience into silence before Fishback pushed back with his typical firm yet humorous tone, drawing supportive applause and amused laughter, then continued with his speech.

Following his closing remarks, Fishback stayed for a few extra minutes to answer questions from media representatives in a brief interview session.

In an interview with Knight News, Fishback was asked whether his campaign strategy – often associated with Gen Z-focused messaging – would be altered to appeal to a wider demographic.

“Not really,” he answered. “I think people are hungry for a message that resonates with all Americans.”

In his response, he referenced the Founding Fathers in 1776, claiming they had a message that resonated with people of all ages, not just the young or the old, and he strives to deliver a similar impact by fighting for a country that is both affordable and equal.

The conversation shifted to the debate between Fishback and U.S. Representative Byron Donalds this coming July, asking how he (Fishback) was preparing for the event and what he expected to come from it.

“You’re going to see Byron Donalds’s vision and my vision for the state that we love, side-by-side, in real time,” he replied quickly. 

He highlighted that the debate will provide voters with a direct, live comparison between the two candidates, adding that both will be answering questions in what he described as a significant moment ahead of early voting, as it could be one of the final major impressions voters have before going to the polls.

James Fishback’s visit to UCF drew a largely supportive audience and underscored both his campaign messaging and his efforts to engage directly with the public ahead of the upcoming election.

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Malachi Lawrence was a UCF Knight from 2021 (redshirt year) to 2025. During his time at UCF, Lawrence recorded 72 tackles, 20 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. 

During the combine, Lawrence ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, jumped a 40” vertical jump and a 10’10” broad jump. 

According to ESPN, he was ranked the 9th best edge prospect and 54th overall prospect in this year’s draft. 

Malachi Lawrnece is the fifth player out of UCF to be selected in the first round. He joins the list of Daunte Culpepper (1999), Blake Bortles (2014), Breshad Perrman (2015) and Mike Hughes (2018). 

Malachi Lawrence will continue to charge on and reach for the stars during his next adventure with the goal of bringing home the Lombardi Trophy for the Dallas Cowboys. 

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In this year’s draft, the UCF Knights have two high prospects: defensive end Malachi Lawrence and defensive end Nyjalik Kelly. Malachi Lawrence is projected to be a first or second round pick. Other UCF prospects in this year’s draft include safety Philip Dunman, linebacker Keli Lawson, and running back Myles Montgomery. 

Since 2017, UCF has had 17 players whose name was called and was drafted. Some of these players include:

• RJ Harvey – 2025, Round 2 Pick 60
• Javon Baker – 2024, Round 4 Pick 110
• Gabe Davis – 2020, Round 4 Pick 128
• Mike Hughes – 2018, Round 1 Pick 30
• Shaquill Griffin – 2017, Round 3 Pick 90

In total, UCF has had 52 players drafted into the NFL. Other notable names include Breshad Perriman, Blake Bortles, Brandon Marshall, and Latavius Murray. 

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh and will start on Thursday April 23rd at 8 p.m. with round one, then it will go on to Friday April 24th at 7 p.m. for rounds two and three, and then will wrap up with round four through seven on Saturday April 25th at 12 p.m. 

What Knights will get drafted into the NFL? When will they get drafted and who will draft them? Knight News will keep you up to date with any and all updates regarding Knights getting drafted.

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McWilliams was part of the UCF team during the 2024 season. During this season, he racked up 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble. 

After his lone season with UCF, McWilliams would then go on to the 2025 NFL Draft, where he would be selected in the fifth round with pick 145 by the Philadelphia Eagles.  

Currently, he has only played in three games, recording only one tackle. Though he has not had a lot of production in his first season, with his skill set, McWilliams is destined to have a bright future in the NFL. 

Mac McWilliams continues to charge on and shine on the field, just as he once did as a UCF Knight.

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