Oct. 28, 2006
HOUSTON (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF had a season-high 530 yards of total offense, but it was not enough as the Golden Knights fell 51-31 to host Houston in Conference USA action on Saturday afternoon at Robertson Stadium. Sophomore tailback Kevin Smith (Miami, Fla./Southridge HS) led the Golden Knights with 163 yards on the ground and three scores.
UCF falls to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in C-USA play.
Smith's 11-yard run at the start of the fourth quarter tied the game at 31, but the Cougars (6-3, 4-1) scored three unanswered touchdowns to pull away. Kevin Kolb found Vincent Marshall for an 8-yard scoring strike at the 11:55 mark to put the hosts up, 38-31.
Jackie Battle then had a pair of touchdown runs to increase Houston's lead.
The Golden Knights recorded 24 first downs and 248 yards on the ground. Smith had two scores in the first half. His four-yard touchdown with 2:44 to play in the half cut Houston's lead to three.
On UCF's next possession, junior quarterback Kyle Israel (Orlando, Fla./University HS) hit junior wideout Willie Thornton (Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central HS) for a 31-yard touchdown connection and the Golden Knights took a 21-17 lead into halftime.
Israel finished 9-of-18 for 207 yards with one interception. Senior wide receiver Mike Walker (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater HS) had six receptions for a game-high 119 yards. Smith caught four passes out of the backfield for 34 yards.
Kolb was 22-of-34 though the air for 305 yards with three scores and one interception. On the ground, Anthony Aldridge rushed nine times for 131 yards. Houston totaled 516 yards of offense.
The Golden Knights return home to face East Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The contest will serve as UCF's Homecoming game.
Call 407-823-1000 to purchase tickets. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.