Nov. 7, 2008
Knights Football Central
UCF Game Notes
Purchase Tickets
Gameday Information
Gameday Promotions
USM at UCF
Saturday, Nov. 8 ? Bright House Networks Stadium ? 3:30 p.m.
Television: None
Radio: UCF ISP Sports Radio Network ? Marc Daniels (play-by-play), Gary Parris (color), Jerry O'Neill (sideline reporter), Scott Adams (reporter)
WQTM 740AM - Orlando, WMMV 1350AM Cocoa, WDCF 1350AM - Dade City, WROD 1340AM - Daytona Beach, WMMB 1240AM - Melbourne, WLVJ 1040AM/WKAT 1360AM - Miami, Fort Lauderdale, South Palm Beach), WPSL 1590AM - Treasure Coast/North Palm Beach, WZHR 1400AM - Zephyrhills
Internet: Live video, audio and statistics at UCFAthletics.com
When UCF (2-6, 1-3 C-USA) has the ball
Saturday afternoon, the Knights will be taking on Southern Miss for Homecoming. This will be the Golden Eagles first trip to Bright House Networks Stadium. The Knights hope to duplicate last year's performance when they went into Hattiesburg and knocked off USM, 34-17. After playing this past Sunday, the Knights had a short week to prepare for their opponent. Junior quarterback Michael Greco got the start against ECU and completed nine passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. The lone touchdown went to sophomore wide receiver Jamar Newsome. Newsome caught a quick slant and took it 54 yards for the score. It was Newsome's first career touchdown on only his second career reception. Freshman Brynn Harvey received the majority of the carries for the second-straight game for the Knights. The team should have opportunities against a Golden Eagle defense that has allowed an average of 411 yards per game and yielded 34 total touchdowns. Leading the USM defense is junior linebacker Gerald McRath. McRath is second in the nation, and first in Conference USA, with 104 total tackles on the year.
When USM (3-6, 1-4 C-USA) has the ball
In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Golden Eagles exploded for 70 points last Saturday, as they defeated UAB, 70-14. The offensive outburst helped snap a four-game conference losing streak. Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Davis completed six-of-seven passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Davis' job was made easy by the running backs as they racked up an astounding 463 yards rushing on 62 carries. Four running backs went for 80 yards or more in Saturday's victory. Leading the backs in the game was junior Tory Harrison who compiled 137 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. With the team only needing a little contribution from its receivers, freshman DeAndre Brown pitched in with 97 yards receiving, including a 60-yard touchdown catch. Even though the Golden Eagles had over 400 yards rushing last game, they will be facing C-USA's second-rated rushing defense Saturday. UCF has only given up a league-best 956 yards on the ground all season. Senior safety Jason Venson leads the Knights in tackles with 54 on the season.
Game changers
With the Knights' 15-game interception streak on the line late in last Sunday night's game, senior defensive back Johnell Neal came up big for the team, intercepting ECU quarterback Rob Kass at the UCF 21-yard line to help send the game into overtime. Neal is tied for the conference lead with four interceptions on the season, and now has 12 in his career at UCF. True freshman receiver DeAndre Brown was a highly touted recruit coming into Southern Miss., and thus far he has lived up to the hype. Brown leads the Golden Eagles with 49 receptions on the year, and has scored 10 touchdowns in nine games. Though just a rookie, Brown is third overall in the conference with his 10 scores, fifth in receiving yards (844) and leads all freshman receivers in the nation in yards and touchdowns.
Tickets for the clash with the Golden Eagles are still available, including a $20 ticket courtesy of SunTrust Banks. To order your tickets today, call Ticketmaster at (407) 839-3900 or visit Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are not available at SunTrust Bank locations. Fans are encouraged to wear gold to the game and start a new Homecoming tradition.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.