April 9, 2005
ORLANDO -The UCF football team finished its 10th practice of the spring and its second scrimmage Saturday in Orlando. The Golden Knights held a scrimmage of about 115 plays under sunny skies.
"We keep improving, that is what I see," stated UCF head coach George O'Leary. "I thought we did well today."
One player O'Leary singled out was junior quarterback Steven Moffett (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park). "I think Moffett continues to get better," added O'Leary. "He had a decent day today, except for the pick down there (in the red zone)."
The offense looked sharp early as Moffett (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park) hit junior wide receiver Mike Walker (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater) on a perfect, 70-yard scoring strike for the first touchdown of the day. The touchdown pass was on the second play of the scrimmage.
Moffett had an excellent day passing, finishing the scrimmage 11-of-14 for 218 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
The offense clicked early as Moffett found Walker for all three touchdowns. Walker totaled 164 yards on just five receptions, including the 70-yard touchdown catch and a 67-yard touchdown reception on a 4th down and 17 play vs. the first team defense.
The second team offense also moved the ball well early behind the play of sophomore quarterback Kyle Israel (Orlando, Fla./University). Israel hit senior tight end Antonio Eldemire (New York, N.Y./John F. Kennedy) on a 10-yard touchdown pass, but was injured on the play and did not return. Israel was 3-for-4 passing for 51 yards and a touchdown before the injury.
After a brief halftime as both the offense and defense met with their coaches, the defense made a statement out of the break. Both the first and second team units held the offense to four consecutive three-and-outs to start the second half of the scrimmage.
The Golden Knights defense was tough vs. the run all day long * limiting junior tailback Dontavius Wilcox (Rockledge, Fla./Rockledge) to 39 yards on 12 carries. Sophomore tailback Curtis Francis totaled just 48 yards on 15 carries vs. both the first and second team defenses.
O'Leary ran his team through several game-type situations, including a period of plays on the goal line, in the red zone, along with working on the punt game.
Freshman linebacker Jordan Richards (Cary, N.C./Cary) made one of the top defensive plays of the scrimmage with a one-handed interception.
Junior cornerback Ron Ellis (Palm Bay, Fla./Palm Bay) recorded five tackles and picked off two passes * including one pass during the red zone period. The Golden Knights also accumulated three sacks on the day.
UCF continues spring practice Tuesday morning from 9:20-11:30 a.m. in Orlando.
Unofficial Scrimmage Statistics (does not include goal line and red zone periods)
RUSHING: Chris Strother, 12-32; Dontavius Wilcox, 12-39; Curtis Francis, 15-48; Steven Moffett, 1-1; Kyle Israel, 2-5; Bruce Meeks, 1-2 PASSING: Steven Moffett, 11-14, 218, 3 TD, 1 INT; Kyle Israel, 3-4, 51, 1 TD; Ed Marynowitz, 6-12, 48, 1 INT
RECEIVING: Mike Walker, 5-164, 3 TD; Brandon Marshall, 3-34; Willie Thornton, 1-35; Steven Baker, 1-15; Andre Sumpter, 2-18; Darcy Johnson, 1-8; Sergiori Joachim, 1-5; Dontavius Wilcox, 1-8; Javid James, 1-6
DEFENSIVE: Paul Carrington, 4 tackles; Ron Ellis, 5 tackles, 1 INT; Frisner Nelson, 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack; Sha'reff Rashad, 4 tackles; Johnell Neal, 4 tackles, 1 PBU; Jordan Richards, 1 TFL, 1 INT; Dennis King, 4 tackles, 2 TFL; Travis Holmes, 4 tackles, 2 PBU; Breon Rogers, 3 tackles, 1 PBU; James Cook, 5 tackles, 1 TFL; Randy Dozier, 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack; Ronnell Sandy, 1 tackle; Kareem Reid, 1 tackle; Glenroy Watkins, 2 tackles, 2 TFL; Clarence Howard, 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PBU; Neil Bittong, 2 tackles; Marcus Hubbard, 1 FR; Renford Parkes, 3 tackles, 1 TFL; Marlon Williams, 4 tackles; Rashad Mays, 4 tackles, 1 PBU; Mike Graham, 2 tackles; Brian Goins, 1 tackle, 1 PBU