You have to like the reaction of University of Central Florida defensive tackle Keith Shologan minutes after the Golden Knights lost to Tulsa, 44-27, in the Conference USA championship game on Saturday.

When informed Tulsa would be going to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., and UCF was headed to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, Shologan told the Orlando Sentinel: "Are you serious? How does that work? We lose and we go to Hawai'i? That's pretty cool."

It has been that kind of a disbelieving season for the 8-4 Golden Knights who are, suddenly, 24 karat, indeed.

Two and a half months after the burden of owning the nation's longest losing streak, UCF finds itself in a pinch-me postseason situation, headed to the Hawai'i Bowl to play Western Athletic Conference co-champion Nevada on Dec. 24.

Remember that fairy tale that was the University of Hawai'i going from 0-12 in 1998 to 9-4 in 1999? Well, that's UCF circa 2005 with a story of personal redemption thrown in for good measure.

The Golden Knights lost their final three games of 2003, went 0-11 in '04 under a new coach and lost their first two contests of this season to run their streak of futility to 17 consecutive games.

But a 23-13 victory over Marshall on Sept. 24 propelled the Golden Knights to eight wins in their next nine games until falling to Tulsa in the inaugural C-USA championship game. Along the way they took the C-USA East title and have claimed the first bowl appearance in the school's history.

Not bad for an institution not much older than some of its players and one that only made the jump to Division I-A in 1996.

But as remarkable a turn of events as this has become for the commuter school of 44,000 enrollment in Orlando, Fla., it is perhaps nothing compared to the man who has led it.

Four years ago George O'Leary was the butt of jokes — and an out-of-work football coach when discrepancies in his resume cost him the head coaching job at Notre Dame after five days and much controversy.

O'Leary left Georgia Tech, where he had a 52-33 record, for Notre Dame only to have it discovered that portions of his resume dealing with his football career and advanced degree didn't stand up to scrutiny.

He eventually found work with the Minnesota Vikings as an assistant coach for two seasons and was hired at UCF in 2004.

Together O'Leary and the Golden Knights have come a long way. Just how long is symbolized by the 4,753-mile trip that will bring them to Aloha Stadium.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.