The thermodynamic and structural properties of octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) confined to the highly restrictive and randomly interconnected pores of Vycor glass were studied via AC calorimetry, DSC, and small angle neutron scattering. The weakly first order nematic to isotropic phase transition is absent and replaced by a continuous evolution of local orientational ordering with decreasing temperature. The results are consistent with predictions from a model that treats the host media as a collection of noninteracting pore segments. The continuous smectic-A to nematic phase transition is also absent with no evidence of any smectic ordering. In addition, crystallization is replaced by a glass-like melting transition with indications of another melting transition at much lower temperatures.