Sept. 30, 2005
LAFAYETTE, La. - Returning to the gridiron following a strong showing in its inaugural Conference USA contest, UCF (1-2) ventures into enemy territory taking on host Louisiana-Lafayette (1-2) in non-conference action on Saturday evening. UCF leads the all-time series, 2-0 and will be facing the Ragin' Cajuns for the first time since 2001. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at Cajun Field.
The UCF ISP Network and its flagship station 740- The Team AM (WQTM) will broadcast live from Lafayette. Marc Daniels will once again have the call with Gary Parris. Jerry O'Neill will handle the sideline duties. Network affiliates in include WMMV-1350 in Cocoa, WDCF-1350 Dade City, WROD-1340 in Daytona Beach and WMMB-1240 Melbourne. The game will not be televised.
Fans looking for an extensive preview, as well as Coach O'Leary's thoughts on the Louisiana-Lafayette football team, should tune into "The George O'Leary Show," which will air Friday at 5:30 p.m. on Sun Sports, and again Saturday at 1 p.m. on WESH-2.
About Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Lafayette opened the season against one of the nation's powerhouse football programs, losing to Texas in Austin, 60-3, on Sept. 3. The Cajuns defense rebounded but the offense still struggled to get on track at Eastern Michigan dropping another road contest, 31-10, on Sept. 10. The team prevailed in its home-opener, dominating Northwestern State on Sept. 17, 49-28 and is coming off of a bye week.
Head coach Rickey Bustle is in his fourth season at the helm of the Cajun football program. A 1976 graduate of Clemson, Bustle has led the Cajuns to an improved winning percentage in each season under his watch.
The team's offense revolves around junior quarterback Jerry Babb, who in addition to signal-calling duties, is the team's second leading rusher, having already gained 115 yards on the ground for an average of 55 per game.
The Cajuns backfield features freshman tailback Tyrell Fenroy who posted 10.87 yards per carry against Northwestern State, tallying 163 yards on 15 carries.
O'Leary and the Golden Knights defense know what it will take to slow the Ragin' Cajuns.
"They (Louisiana-Lafayette) have skill kids that can run and a quarterback that's very active with his arm and his feet", said O'Leary. "They run a spread offense and they have a couple of running backs that can really get up and go. Defensively, they have multiple 7-8 man fronts, a lot of movement and a lot of pressure. For us defensively, we have to tackle well and close in on the tackle quicker."
On the defensive side of the football, look for the Cajuns to be overly aggressive with their front line as the team looks to record its first sack of the season. Sophomore linebacker Mark Risher enters the game with a team-high 22 tackles. Cornerback Michael Adams has wreaked havoc on opponents with a team-high 11 solo tackles in addition to an interception, fumble recovery and a blocked kick on special teams.
About UCF
UCF is coming off its first victory of the season, snapping a 17-game losing streak with a 23-13 win at home over Marshall last week. The Golden Knights will look to earn another win in their final non-conference contest of the 2005 campaign.
UCF's wide receiver tandem of Brandon Marshall and Mike Walker have paced the Golden Knights as both have already eclipsed the 200-yard receiving plateau. The duo also has all three UCF receiving touchdowns on the young season.
Junior quarterback Steven Moffett is completing a career-high 61.9 percent of his passes and has not been held under 200 yards passing this season.
Defensive end Paul Carrington is coming off a two sack performance against Marshall that garnered him Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors. The fifth-year senior leads the team with four tackles for loss, setting opponents back a combined 20 yards.
UCF will look to turn around its luck on the road. The Golden Knights have lost their last 15 games away from the Citrus Bowl. The last road victory came on Nov. 23, 2002 against a Ben Roethlisberger led Miami (Ohio) Red Hawks.
O'Leary believes the key to victory lies with UCF's ability to maintain a high level of intensity.
"You have to have the same sense of urgency and importance as you do at home. You shouldn't need a crowd or a cheerleader yelling to get ready to play. They should play with the same intensity all the time," said O'Leary.