May 16, 2011
="" alt="Knight Head" border="0" class="imported"> Read John Denton's Knights Insider | ="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported">Follow us on Twitter | ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported">Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Josh Molino
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - For the second-consecutive year, defending Conference USA champion UCF hosts an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent at Bright House Networks Stadium. On Sept. 10, the Knights take the field against Boston College with revenge on their minds.
In the first series matchup, the Black and Gold were defeated, 34-7, in 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
The Eagles began the 2010 season with wins against Weber State and Kent State, followed by five-consecutive losses. The defense tightened under head coach Frank Spaziani and held offenses to under 10 points per game, reeling off five-straight wins and gaining bowl eligibility with seven victories. Boston College lost to Nevada in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, 20-13, to finish the season at 7-6.
In the 2008 matchup, UCF led 7-3 at halftime on a Michael Greco 1-yard TD run, but BC woke up in the second half scoring 31 unanswered points led by quarterback Chris Crane. UCF is 1-12 in games against ACC opponents with the lone victory coming against NC State in 2007. The Knights' non-conference slate this season includes Charleston Southern, in-state rival FIU and BYU.
Offensive Player to Watch
Jacksonville native Montel Harris was part of the 2008 Boston College team that defeated UCF, rushing for 112 yards on 13 carries including a 37-yard scamper. Last season Harris had eight 100-yard rushing games with a season high coming on 26 carries for 191 yards in a loss at Florida State. The senior is 126 yards away from setting the BC career rushing record and is the active ACC leader in rushing yards (3,600) and carries (756).
Defensive Player to Watch
Leading the Eagle defense will be Consensus All-American Luke Kuechly. As a sophomore last season, Kuechly led the country in total tackles with 183 and solo tackles with 110. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native was a Bronko Nagurski Award finalist, a runner-up for the Butkus Award and earned a spot on the All-ACC First Team. The junior middle linebacker has made 10 or more tackles in 22-consecutive games, the longest active streak in the nation.
Connections
BC head coach Frank Spaziani and UCF running backs coach Danny Barrett both have ties to the CFL's Calgary Stampeders, as Barrett played quarterback and Spaziani was the defensive coordinator for the 1996 team. The Eagles have three teams from the Sunshine state on the 2011 slate this season beginning with UCF, followed by Florida state and Miami. Although the Eagles hail from the northeast, they recruit in the south, having two players from Georgia and six from Florida on the current roster.
Oddball
UCF had two players selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, offensive tackle Jah Reid (3rd, 85 to Ravens) and defensive end Bruce Miller (7th, 211 to 49ers). BC had one player selected. Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo was picked in the first round with the 22nd pick to the Indianapolis Colts.
2011 UCF Football season ticket packages can be purchased or renewed online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. Home games include Charleston Southern [Champions UKNIGHT (Sept. 3)], Boston College [Hall of Fame Weekend (Sept. 10)], Marshall (Oct. 8), Memphis [Alumni UKNIGHT - Homecoming 2011 (Oct. 29)], Tulsa (Nov. 5) and UTEP [Senior Day (Nov. 26)]. Should UCF host the C-USA Championship Game for the fourth time in seven years, it would be played on Saturday, Dec. 3 and season ticket holders will receive the first shot at the best seats.