May 21, 2010
By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Senior Bruce Miller (Canton, Ga.) was named Preseason All-American and was also one of eight UCF football players named to Phil Steele's recently-unveiled Preseason All-Conference USA team.
The nation's leader in both career sacks (27) and career tackles for loss (44), Miller was named to Steele's preseason All-America fourth team. In fact, Miller's 27 career sacks tie Florida's Alonzo Johnson for the ninth-most ever by a FBS player in the college football-rich state of Florida, a list that includes six first round NFL Draft picks.
Named the 2009 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, Miller made 13 sacks and 18 tackles for loss last year as a junior. A versatile end who also moved to tackle and played a three-technique in UCF's nickel package, Miller also was credited with seven forced hurries and three pass breakups last fall, helping the Knights lead C-USA in total defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, sack and tackles for loss. UCF was fourth in the nation last fall in rushing defense, topped only by BCS bowl participants Texas, Alabama and TCU.
| STATE OF FLORIDA FBS SACK RECORDS | |||||
| NO | PLAYER | SACKS | YEARS | SCHOOL | NFL DRAFT |
| 1 | Daniel Stubbs | 39.5 | 1984-87 | Miami | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 2 | Reinard Wilson | 35.5 | 1993-96 | Florida St. | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 3 | Greg Mark | 34.5 | 1986-89 | Miami | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 4 | Peter Boulware | 34 | 1994-96 | Florida St. | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 5 | Alex Brown | 33 | 1998-01 | Florida | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 6 | Elton Patterson | 30.5 | 1999-02 | UCF | NFL 7th Rd. Pick |
| 7 | Kenny Holmes | 30 | 1993-96 | Miami | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 8 | George Selvie | 29 | 2006-09 | USF | NFL 7th Rd. pick |
| T9 | Alonzo Johnson | 27 | 1981-85 | Florida | NFL 2nd Rd. Pick |
| T9 | Bruce Miller | 27 | 2007-09 | UCF | |
He made perhaps the most pivotal play of UCF's season during an ESPN-broadcast Sunday night game against Marshall. Trailing at home to the Thundering Herd 20-14 with 2:12 to play, Miller forced Marshall quarterback Brian Anderson to fumble. Freshman All-American John Robinson recovered the ball for the Knights and Brett Hodges capped the ensuing drive with a game-winning touchdown pass to Rocky Ross with 23 seconds left to play. The emotional win helped spur on a 5-1 close to UCF's 2009 regular season and earn the team a spot in the St. Petersburg Bowl with an 8-4 record.
On a conference level, Miller is joined on Phil Steele's All-Conference USA first team by offensive lineman Jah Reid (Haines City, Fla.), defensive back Josh Robinson (Sunrise, Fla.) and Lawrence Young (Pensacola, Fla.). Linebacker Derrick Hallman (Fort Pierce, Fla.) was a second-team selection along with tailback Brynn Harvey (Largo, Fla.). UCF wide receiver Kamar Aiken (Miami, Fla.) and tight end Adam Nissley (Cumming, Ga.) were both named to the All-Conference USA Preseason Fourth Team in the magazine which will hit the newsstands in June.
The eight are amongst the 17 starters which the Knights return from last year's 8-5 quad which faced Rutgers in the St. Petersburg Bowl. UCF placed second in Conference USA's East Division in 2009.
Season tickets for the 2010 UCF campaign at Bright House Networks Stadium are currently available. To order your season tickets today, contact the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com. You can also win a trip for two to a UCF road game and other exciting prizes by referring your friends to buy season tickets or join the Golden Knights Club. CLICK HERE for more information.
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.