Bleacher Report - UCF Knights Football

UCF Knights Ride the Wave, Look Ahead to UAB

Joshua Torres — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:58:13 -0500

Coming off one of their biggest wins in school history, the UCF Knights were trying to avoid an emotional letdown when they faced the Tulane Green Wave Saturday at Bright House Networks Stadium.

Well, no worries there.

The Knights routed the Green Wave to the tune of a 49-0 shutout. It marked the first shutout win for the Knights since a 17-0 win over South Carolina State in their 2008 season opener and their first conference shutout win since joining C-USA in 2005.

The final score also set a league record as the largest shutout margin ever in Conference USA league play.

The Knights showed the same intensity they did against Houston and some could argue the team was even more motivated against Tulane.

Saturday marked Senior Day and 13 players were recognized during a pregame ceremony to honor their time at the school, which was highlighted by the school's first-ever conference championship in 2007 that culminated in a Liberty Bowl berth.

Last week the Knights defeated No. 13 Houston for one of the biggest upsets in school history. The win marked the first over a nationally ranked opponent for the Knights, who entered the match with an 0-22 record against Associated Press Top 25 teams.

The Knights (7-4, 5-2 Conference USA) faced a Tulane team that has struggled all season. The Green Wave lost to previously winless Rice last week.

Knights QB Brett Hodges went 19 of 28 for 234 yards and two touchdown passes to WR Kamar Aiken, who finished with 84 yards on just 5 receptions.

Hodges' 234 yards put him at 2,033 passing yards for the season, making him the first 2,000-yard passer for the Knights since former QB Kyle Israel passed for 2,173 yards in UCF's 2007 championship season.

RB Brynn Harvey rushed for 129 yards on 16 attempts and three touchdowns, bringing his season total to 947 rushing yards.

He needs just 53 more yards to become UCF's first 1,000-yard rusher since NFL RB Kevin Smith rushed for a school-record 2,567 yards in 2007, placing him at second in the NCAA record books behind phenom Barry Sanders for most yards rushed in a single season.

Harvey opened the game up for the Knights, scoring on a 50-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the game. He would score again from two yards out in the second quarter to make it 14-0 UCF at intermission.

It's no secret that UCF is a second half team and Saturday's game proved no different. The Knights exploded in the third quarter, scoring 28 consecutive points to all but ensure a rout.

Brynn Harvey scored his third touchdown of the day on a 2-yard run early in the third, bringing his total this season to 13. He has scored six of those touchdowns in the last two games alone.

RB Jonathan Davis scored on a 9-yard run in the closing seconds of the third quarter.

The sizable lead allowed Head Coach George O'Leary to work in some of his younger players. Brendan Kelly scored on a 6-yard pass from Rob Calabrese less than four minutes into the fourth quarter.

UCF's stout defense held Tulane (3-8, 1-6 Conference USA) to a mere 50 total yards on offense in 51 plays, including -30 yards rushing to counter their 80 passing yards. The Knights forced five Tulane turnovers (3 fumbles lost, 2 interceptions).

The 49 points scored by the Knights tied their season high from Oct. 24, when UCF routed the Rice Owls 49-7 in Houston.

The Knights had a staggering 504 yards of total offense against Tulane.

The win Saturday gives UCF a 3-1 series advantage over the Green Wave.

Looking Ahead to UAB

The Knights get back to the film room this week to begin preparing for UAB. UCF will travel to Birmingham, AL this Saturday for a 1:30PM (EST) kickoff against the Blazers (5-6, 4-3 Conference USA).

Don't let their losing record fool you. The Blazers defeated UCF 15-0 last year in Orlando in a game that led, partially, to the restructuring of the Knights' offense. UCF's defense held the Blazers to five field goals.

UAB is coming off a 37-21 loss to East Carolina that put a stop to the Blazers' hopes of an East Division title.

Prior to the 2008 season, the Knights were undefeated against UAB.

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UCF Looks to Ride Momentum To Bowl Game Victory

Wes Goldberg — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:55:34 -0500

Photo courtesy of ucf.edu

With the last UCF home game drawing to a close, the thoughts of students and fans are drawn to the bowl season. With seven wins, the Knights are more than bowl eligible, and fans are craving the next big win.

For those that do attend home games, it has been an exciting bunch. The first game of the season, a come-from-behind victory against the Samford Bulldogs with Rob Calabrese at the helm, UCF looked a bit rusty.

But since then, with Brett Hodges taking control, UCF has added a couple more games to UCF’s “Classic Moments.”

The first one that comes to mind for most is the fourth quarter comeback against Marshall. The game, being played the Sunday night of Halloween weekend, did not draw a large crowd.

But, and what seems to be the theme of the season, those that did attend were in for a show, and a memory.

The next big win was an unforgettable win against a 13th ranked Houston for UCF’s first win over a ranked opponent. Again, the few that did attend witnessed history, and possibly the biggest ever victory for UCF’s football program.

Surely building on the momentum of the Houston game, in the last home game of the season UCF routed Tulane 49-0. Those that were there saw UCF at their finest, holding Tulane to negative-30 yards rushing and not allowing them to score a single point, even with the backups in. After a standing ovation by fans, UCF’s sights turn to a competitive UAB team.

While it is a conference game, it does not hold much importance. After East Carolina’s win against UAB, the Knights are officially eliminated from the C-USA championship game as East Carolina and Southern Mississippi are left to battle for the East Division spot. The only importance to the game is to simply finish with a better record and earn bragging rights against another conference team.

All focus is now on the question: What bowl game will UCF be playing in?

ESPN projects that UCF will play Troy in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, or Middle Tennessee State in the Eagle Bank Bowl, which is played in Washington D.C.

No one is complaining that UCF is bowl eligible for the third time in five seasons, but the buzz seems to be that fans want to play a game of more importance, or at least proximity.

Many want to play the USF Bulls in St. Petersburg in a redemption match. It is also possible that UCF could play FSU in the Eagle Bank Bowl, which would draw much attention and give UCF a shot to leap frog the struggling Seminoles in the state of Florida.

The momentum from the recent victories over Marshall and Houston is building as UCF is playing the best football it has played all season.

The Tulane blowout only adds to the Knight’s thunder, and students are confident that the team will earn it’s first-ever Bowl Game victory this time around.

But next week is UAB, and we are taking it one game at a time.

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UCF-Tulane Football Preview

Ryan Bass — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:20:38 -0500

The UCF football team did something last Saturday it hadn’t done in 22 tries; beat a ranked team. After an historic 37-32 win over No. 13 Houston, the Knights are bowl eligible and face Tulane Saturday with an outside shot at the Conference USA title.

The Matchup

UCF (6-4 overall, 4-2 C-USA) enters their contest against Tulane off their biggest win in program history. The Knights defeated the Cougars behind great offensive performances from QB Brett Hodges and RB Brynn Harvey.

Hodges completed 21 of 25 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. Harvey rushed for 139 yards on 35 carries and found the end zone three times. UCF kept the nation’s No. 1 offense off the field, holding the ball for 39:30 in the game, almost doubling Houston’s time of possession.

The Green Wave (3-7 overall, 1-5 in C-USA) come off a 28-20 loss to a previously winless Rice team.

Tulane led 14-0 after the first quarter, but allowed Owls’ quarterback Nick Fanuzzi to throw for four touchdowns the rest of the way.

When UCF has the ball

Look for them to attack Tulane’s defensive line with a heavy load of the run. Tulane is No. 98 in the country in total defense and is allowing 200 yards a game on the ground. Expect to see a combination of Harvey and Jonathan Davis in the run game for UCF.

Tulane boasts the No. 1 pass defense in C-USA, so look for them to cause problems for UCF’s wideouts.

When Tulane has the ball

Look for Tulane to get it into the hands of its two play-makers, RB Andre Anderson and WR Jeremy Williams. Anderson comes into the game 87 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season and is 35th in the nation in rushing yards per game, with 91.3. Williams is seventh in the nation in receiving yards, with just under 100 yards per contest.

The UCF run defense is third in the nation, allowing just 81.5 yards a game and has allowed just two 100-yard rushing games to opposing running backs this season.

As for UCF’s pass defense, freshman Josh Robinson and Kemal Ishmael will have their hands full with Williams. The Knights are No. 93 in the nation in pass defense and have given up big games to opponent’s No. 1 wide receivers this season.

X-Factors

Facing a team that struggles to stop the run bodes well for a team’s running backs. Look for Harvey to have another 100-plus rushing performance on the day and expect Davis to see time as well after registering his first career rushing touchdown last week against the Cougars.

For Tulane, it all rests on the offensive line. The UCF defense hasn’t been pushed around all season, and if Tulane wants a chance at beating UCF, it will have to block for Anderson and prevent UCF from getting past the line of scrimmage. The Knights are tied for seventh in the nation in sacks and are ninth in tackles for loss.

The last time they played, in 2006, Tulane got out to the 10-0 lead and was able to hold UCF to just three field goals, escaping with a 10-9 victory at home.

UCF kicker Michael Torres missed his fourth field goal attempt from 35 yards out, which would have given UCF the lead with 3:15 left in the game.

UCF leads the all-time series 2-1.

Noteworthy

UCF is the second-least penalized team in the nation, averaging just 4.3 penalties per game.

A loss by the Green Wave would extend its C-USA losing streak to seven games.

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UCF Knights Football's 2010 Verbal Commitments

Jessica Reuter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:51:52 -0500

No matter how the season turns out this year, 13 seniors will be leaving UCF's football squad, including quarterback Brett Hodges.

I decided to take a look at this year's recruiting information to find out who is coming to UCF next year, who might be coming to UCF next year, and what that will mean for a young 2010 team.

Rivals.com, a recruiting database, lists the committed/unsigned recruits from each NCAA football team, how many “stars” they are worth, and a multitude of other statistics. I utilized the web site to take a look at the verbal commitments we have on board already for the 2010 season.

Verbal Commitments

Blake Bortles, quarterback from Oviedo High School, just might be Brett Hodges' more successful successor. Bortles, who plays on his field just miles from UCF's, has had ample opportunity to take in the Knights' lifestyle.

Bortles is listed with three stars at Rivals.com, is 6'4”, and 230 lbs. Look for him to bulk up in the offseason and make a big impression on coaches before next season.

Glen Stanley, a linebacker from Thatcher, AZ, is one of UCF's big-time recruits and the kind of pick up we expect from the team. He is listed with four stars at Rivals.com, the average star number of a Florida recruit.

He's 6'2”, 245 lbs., and will definitely also have to hit the weight room this offseason. However, he's sure to be a powerful component of the Knights' squad in 2010.

Justin and Jordan McCray, brothers from Miami, FL, are both outside linebackers also star-rated. They will surely be a dynamic duo on the UCF defense.

Other star rated verbal commitments include Cornelius Whitehead, a WR from Mount Dora, FL, Cody Ralston, a linebacker from Georgia, Jordan Ozerities, a DB also from Mount Dora, Quenton Brown, a DE from Tucker, Georgia, Tommy Sanders, a linebacker from Cordele, Georgia, and Perry Meiklejohn, an OL from Miami.

There are eight other non-star-rated players that have verbally committed to the UCF football program.

The Knights, overall, look to have made some good recruiting decisions, especially for being one of the less glamorous Florida programs to play for. Ten of the players are star rated, and only 13 are leaving, which means that the team is replacing its strength, not just their numbers.

My prediction: The Knights will rule C-USA next year, with Blake Bortles at the helm.

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UCF QB Brett Hodges Is Clutch Against No. 12 Houston

Jessica Reuter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:58:19 -0500

UCF quarterback Brett Hodges completed 12 consecutive passes this weekend, earning him a total of 21 for 25 passes and the honor of Bright House Student Athlete of the Week.

Even though the crowd was far less than sold out, Hodges played as if for a large crowd, completing a total of 241 yards and a 24-yard touchdown pass to Quincy McDuffie in the fourth quarter.

That quarter was part of yet another 2009 after-halftime rally. The Knights were down 17-10 at thirty minutes, and managed to come back 37-32 over a No.12 ranked Houston team.

Hodges' consecutive pass completions are only second to Daunte Culpepper's 15 straight passes against Samford in 1997.

If Hodges would have played this way against teams all year, perhaps he would have been the Culpepper replacement I have been looking for—at least for this year.

Thanks to Hodges' and the Knights' exciting comeback, the team is now bowl eligible . A conference championship is still very possible, and another win is in UCF's sights as they play Tulane next Saturday at 2 p.m.

The game is the last of the Knights' home games this season. The last game of the year will be played against the UAB Blazers in Birmingham as C-USA's East Division shuffles out in dramatic fashion.

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UCF Knights Football Set Their Sights on C-USA Championship

Jessica Reuter — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:02:12 -0500

History was made yesterday afternoon as the UCF Knights beat their first ranked team ever. Attendance was low, but the black-and-gold's morale wasn't. The team held the Houston Cougars off for a close 37-32 win.

Big scores from UCF showed that Brett Hodges and his crew are ready to put up numerous touchdowns at home against the Tulane Green Wave next week. Tulane is only 1-5 in conference play, a should-be easy game for the Knights.

If UCF indeed does win against Conference-USA competition Tulane next Saturday, they will be 5-2 in conference play, putting them in prime position for a conference championship game invitation.

What makes next Saturday more exciting—East Division No. 3 UCF will watch No.1 East Carolina and No. 2 UAB play against each other. Of course, the Knights will be rooting for the Blazers.

That makes Nov. 28 a crucial day at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. That will be the final regular season game and the day that UCF plays UAB in a definitive matchup.

If UCF wins, they will surpass UAB in the East Division standings. East Carolina will have to beat Southern Miss in order to win the East Division over the Knights, making it a sure-fire breathless late November day for Central Florida fans.

Brett Hodges and Brynn Harvey, who rested against Texas, came back with a vengeance yesterday at the Bright House. Hodges went 21-of-25 for 241 yards and one touchdown while Harvey rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns.

Read Jessica at Examiner.com Orlando Sports

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