The Gus Malzahn era started with a downer — a 100-yard pick-6 on the team’s opening drive, but the first-year Knights coach ended up leading his troops to a massive comeback win, making history in the process.

The UCF-Boise State game was delayed due to weather, and once the game kicked off, it looked like the Broncos were going to embarrass the Knights at the Bounce House. Boise State took a commanding 21-0 lead. The Broncos later had the ball up 24-7, too.

Then, UCF started making its comeback, led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Knights outscored the Broncos 36-17 (22-7 in the second half) to finish with the 36-31 win.

Malzahn guided UCF to the largest comeback win in school history of 21-plus points. How’s that for a debut?

Gabriel threw for 318 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while wide receiver Jaylon Robinson caught 6 passes for 140 yards and 1 touchdown, which gave UCF its first lead.

Running back Isaiah Bowser also rushed 32 times for 170 yards and 1 touchdown.

“Wow — proud of our team,” Malzahn said during his postgame presser. “We didn’t look good in the first down 21-0. We were down 24-7, and they had the ball. … We beat a good team. That’s a top 25 team,” Malzahn said about Boise State.

“We’ll have a chance to be a pretty good team. That’s what I told our guys.”