Episode 101: Kicking Through the Journey with Noe Ruelas & Breaking Down the Trenches with Ryan SwobodaBuckle up, Knight Nation! In this packed Episode 101 of Space Knights, our crew members —Austin Heff, Patrick Nurse, KnightmarishJ, UCF legend and former punter Mac Loudermilk, NautJuicer, and the rest of the squad—welcomes two All-Conference Knights greats: kicker Noe Ruelas and offensive lineman Ryan Swoboda.We kick things off (pun intended) with Noe Ruelas, the West Hartford native and Lou Groza Award semifinalist who lit up the Big 12 in his 2025 season with UCF. The All-Big 12 Third Team honoree shares his transfer journey to Orlando, the pressures of the kicking game, nailing three 50+ yard bombs (including that career-long 54-yarder), and going 15-of-17 on field goals at an impressive 88.2% clip. Oh, and we couldn't resist asking about his ultimate pre-game fuel: blueberry pancakes slathered in maple syrup. Trust us—it's the secret to those clutch kicks.Then, we huddle up with Ryan Swoboda, the 6'10" Clermont beast who earned First-Team All-AAC honors anchoring the O-line back in 2022. Ryan dives into the highs and lows of this year's 5-7 Knights squad under Scott Frost's return—what clicked in the run game, the protection breakdowns that hurt, and why that tough finish left everyone hungry for more.The whole crew doesn't hold back on the bigger picture: the chaotic state of college football, the expanded 12-team playoff (great for more teams, but those blowouts?), ideas to tweak seeding and player revenue sharing, and a deep dive into why bowl games are losing their magic—turning into opt-out exhibitions while the real drama fades. Time for a revamp?If you're charging on through the offseason or just craving real talk on Knight football, this one's a must-listen. The energy was electric with the full host lineup firing on all cylinders!Stream now on Spotify—or wherever you get your podcasts. ChargeOn! 🏈⚔️Next up: Episode 102—stay tuned!

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