Oct. 13, 2009
By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com
Click here to receive the Knights Insider via email
The much-anticipated showdown against Miami on Saturday is arguably the biggest home game in school history for UCF. But for a large chunk of the Knights' team, the game takes on an even greater bit of significance.
Twenty-nine Knights hail from South Florida, with 19 of that group coming out of either Dade or Broward County. There are 12 Knights from Miami - not far from the Hurricanes campus in Coral Gables. And another seven are products of Broward County - which is very near Land Shark Stadium where the `Canes now play after moving out of the Orange Bowl.
And the South Florida group of Knights is an integral part of the team. Nine of the players from South Florida are starters. Wide receivers A.J. Guyton (Homestead) and Kamar Aiken (Hollywood), offensive linemen Nick Pieschel (Fort Lauderdale), Cliff McCray (Miami) and Ian Bustillo (Miami) start on offense, while defensive backs Michael Greco (Fort Lauderdale), Josh Robinson (Sunrise) and Kemal Ishmael (Miami) and punter Blake Clingan (Coral Springs) are key players on defense and special teams.
No one is putting more stock into beating the `Canes than the players who grew up rooting for the powerhouse program during their national championship heyday. Many have touted Miami's return to dominance this season as the program has already beaten Florida State, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma this season and has risen to No. 9 in the latest polls.
So beating Miami, now that it is back among the national power again, would be extra special for those who grew up so close to the program.
``They're a very good team and really, for someone like me who's from South Florida, it's an honor to play them,'' said Pieschel, UCF's starting left tackle. ``I just think it's going to be a good game for us against Miami.''
UCF had last week off, giving it two weeks to prepare for an explosive and talented Miami team. That also gave the Knights two weeks to allow thoughts of what an upset of the `Canes would do for the UCF program. Rival USF upset Florida State two weeks ago, and UCF's players are desperate to notch a similar type of landmark victory for the program.
``It would put us on the map as a program, being able to beat a very good team like Miami,'' said Greco, who switched from quarterback to safety and has become a starter five games into the season. ``Miami has beaten Florida State, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma. There's a lot of talent there and it would be a huge win for us if we could pull it off. It'll be a special game for us.''
Last season's game in South Florida had a special feel to it, but UCF couldn't muster the one scoring drive that would have resulted in a key victory for the program. Miami held on to win 20-14, but that narrow UCF defeat serves as motivation for the Knights going into Saturday's game at Bright House Networks Stadium.
``We didn't win the game, but last year gives us confidence,'' Pieschel said. ``We just needed to put together one drive and unfortunately we couldn't do it. But that gives us motivation knowing that we were close last year and now we have to finish this year and get the win.''
Neither Pieschel or Greco were recruited by Miami, and while both said that had little to do with their desire to beat the `Canes, they could see how that might factor into some players' motivation.
McCray, a product of Southridge High School, was briefly recruited by Miami, but was unable to play football out of high school because of medical issues. He eventually walked on at UCF, where he has become a starter at guard. He didn't play in last season's game in South Florida, and is excited about getting the chance to face the school that he grew up rooting for.
``I grew up there watching them as a fan and they were always a great team,'' he said. ``I never thought it would happen, but here it's my senior year and I'll be able to play against `The U.' It's definitely a special game for me. We'll all be ready.''
John Denton's Knights Insider appears on UCFathletics.com every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.