Nov. 11, 2010
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By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF football ranks amongst the nation's best in regards to its on and off the field success. UCF is joined this week by just five other schools, Boise State, Florida, Ohio State, TCU and Wisconsin as programs that rank in the Top 25 of both the AP Poll and the APR.
The Knights stand at No. 25 in the AP poll (No. 23 in the USA Today coaches poll) and rank 16th nationally with a 972 APR (the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate). Joining the Knights in this lofty dual academic and athletic stratosphere of success are Boise State (No. 4 AP, tied for No. 12 APR), Florida (No. 24 AP, No. 17 APR), Ohio State (No. 8 AP, tied for No. 9 APR), TCU (No. 3 AP, tied for No. 21 APR) and Wisconsin (No. 6 AP, tied for No. 21 APR).
Saturday is Senior Day in Orlando and all 19 seniors are on pace to receive their college degrees. Eight Knights (Chance Henderson, Cliff McCray, Bruce Miller, Jamar Newsome, Jah Reid, Wes Tunuufi Sauvao, Brian Watters and David Williams) have all ready received their bachelor's degrees and are presently either working on a master's degree or a second bachelor's degree. With eight graduates on its active roster, UCF trails only Boston College (14), Auburn (11) and Tennessee (nine) nationally for the most active players with a bachelor's degree in the FBS.
UCF's on the field success has been well documented nationally this week as the Knights cracked the national Top 25 polls for the first time in school history on Sunday after downing Houston 40-33 to win their 11th consecutive Conference USA contest. The Knights have averaged 41.4 points per game over its past five games while ranking amongst the Top 25 nationally in most defensive categories.
The Knights (7-2, 5-0 C-USA) will play host to Southern Miss (6-3, 4-2) on Saturday for Senior Day. The Golden Eagles received a pair of votes in the coaches poll on Sunday. Tickets are still available, including the special "UCF Fan Pack Built by Centex" which gives fans a very specially-priced $20 package of a game ticket in sections 217-219, a hot dog, a box of popcorn and a soft drink, a value of $35 for just $20. The special "UCF Fan Pack Built by Centex" can be purchased either online at UCFAthletics.com or over the phone at (407) 823-1000 while supplies last.
The game could also prove historic for the Knights as well. If UAB were to defeat East Carolina to night, then UCF would be able to clinch the C-USA East Division with a win over the Golden Eagles on Saturday at Bright House Networks Stadium.