Oct. 21, 2006
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery
GAME 7
RICE vs. UCF
FLORIDA CITRUS BOWL
OCT. 21, 2006
GAME NOTES
UCF
? This is the first Saturday game for the Golden Knights since their contest with USF on Sept. 16 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
? UCF set a new home attendance record for a season with today's crowd of 30,307. The 2006 season total now stands at 165,813. The previous record was set in 1988 when seven home crowds totaled 153,334.
? With his first quarter reception of 10 yards, senior WR Mike Walker improved his streak of consecutive games with a catch to 23. Walker moved into seventh on the career charts with 150 receptions and ninth with 2,030 receiving yards. He finished the game with a team-high 13 catches for 169 yards. Ties Jimmy Fryzel for ninth all-time with his seventh 100-yard receiving game of his career.
? Junior QB Kyle Israel made his second-career start in today's game. His first start came on Nov. 6, 2004 against Ohio.
? Israel finished with career highs in completions (27), pass attempts (42), passing yards (327) and touchdowns (three).
? Sophomore RB Kevin Smith moved into seventh place on UCF's all-time rushing list in the first quarter, passing Mike Grant. Smith finished the contest with 155 yards to bring his career total to 1,806 yards.
? The 100-yard rushing game for Smith was the eighth of his career - that is tied for the fourth most in school history.
? The 31-yard field goal by junior PK Michael Torres in the first quarter was his longest of the season. He bettered that mark in the second quarter with a make from 34 yards out. Torres added a 26-yard field goal in the third quarter to match his season high of fields goal made in a game (vs. Marshall 10/4). His four makes prior to the game were all from 22 yards.
? Senior TE Sinclair Brown made his first-career start today and also made his first-career catch in the second quarter. The reception went for 17 yards.
? Freshman DE Jared Kirksey registered the first sack of his career in the second quarter.
? Junior WR Rocky Ross set career highs in catches (five) and yardage (85). The sophomore also had his first-career touchdown catch in the second quarter, a two-yard score. A career-long 55-yard reception by Ross helped set up that score.
? The last time UCF was tied at the half was against Memphis last season on Oct. 8. The score was 14-14 at the break. UCF outscored the Tigers 24-3 after the break.