Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Game Notes - UCF vs. Nevada Dec. 24, 2005 - Honolulu, Hawaii - Aloha Stadium
Team Notes
UCF dropped a 49-48 overtime decision to Nevada in the 2005 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and finished the season with an 8-5 record, just one year after going 0-11. The turnaround of seven games from 2004 leaves UCF tied with seven other schools for the fourth-best single-season turnaround in NCAA I-A history.
The bowl appearance was the first in school history for the Golden Knights.
The overtime loss dropped UCF's record in overtime games to 0-3.
UCF scored for the seventh time this season on its opening drive. Junior QB Steven Moffett tossed a 51-yard touchdown pass to senior WR Brandon Marshall to give UCF a 7-0 lead. The touchdown reception was the ninth of the season for Marshall.
For the second time in 2005, UCF scored on its first three possessions of the game. The Golden Knights scored a pair of touchdowns and a 47-yard Matt Prater field goal. UCF scored three touchdowns on its first three drives at Louisiana-Lafayette (Oct. 1).
UCF scored 17 points in the first quarter, the most by the Golden Knights in the opening period of play in 2005.
Player Notes
Brandon Marshall moved into a tie for sixth place in UCF single-season history with three receiving touchdowns vs. Nevada, bringing his season total to 11. Marshall opened the scoring with a 51-yard reception on UCF's first possession and closed out regulation with a late touchdown to send the game to overtime.
True freshman TB Kevin Smith, Conference USA's Freshman of the Year, scored on a 78-yard run, the second longest run from scrimmage in UCF history, to give the Golden Knights a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The run was the longest in school history by a freshman and in UCF's 10-year Division I-A history. The longest run from scrimmage in UCF history was Elgin Davis' 79-yard scoring run vs. Samford (Nov. 15, 1986).
The 78-yard touchdown run by Smith is the second-longest run by a true freshman in the NCAA this season. It also marked the longest run in Sheraton Hawaii Bowl history.
Kevin Smith is just the sixth player in school history to record a 1,000-yard season on the ground. Smith ended the season with 1,178 yards, third in the UCF record books.
Brandon Marshall became the 10th player in UCF history to reach the 1,000-yard plateau for receiving in a season. Marshall went over the century mark with his 51-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. He ended the season with 1,195 yards receiving and seven 100-yard games.
Senior PK Matt Prater kicked three field goals to move into sole possession of second place in UCF history with 49 career field goals.
Thirteen members of the UCF football team had their collegiate careers come to an end Saturday at the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. Seniors Jeff Branham, John Brown, Mike Graham, Darcy Johnson, Frisner Nelson, Mike Malatesta, Antonio Eldemire, Glenroy Watkins, Anthony Willis, Matt Prater and tri-captains James Cook, Paul Carrington and Brandon Marshall suited up for the final time for the Golden Knights.