Nov. 4, 2006
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Playing its final homecoming game at the Florida Citrus Bowl, UCF dropped a 23-10 Conference USA contest to East Carolina on Saturday evening. East Carolina (5-4, 4-2 C-USA) outscored UCF (2-7, 1-4) 20-3 to close the game.
The Golden Knights trailed 16-10 with one minute to play in the game and had an opportunity to tie or take the lead, but the hosts' drive ended when Kasey Ross intercepted a pass from junior quarterback Kyle Israel (Orlando, Fla./University HS) and returned the pick 51 yards for the score.
UCF is playing its final season in Downtown Orlando at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The program will move into the on-campus Bright House Stadium next fall.
The Golden Knights claimed a 7-3 lead with 5:21 to play in the first quarter after sophomore tailback Kevin Smith (Miami, Fla./Southridge HS) capped a six-play, 73-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run.
Brandon Fractious gave East Carolina a three-point edge at the 7:37 mark of the second quarter when he broke free for a 17-yard touchdown run. After a 42-yard field goal by Robert Lee, the Pirates led, 13-7, at halftime.
East Carolina amassed 305 yards of total offense. The Golden Knights had 263 yards offensively, but only 58 came on the ground. Israel was 18-of-34 for 205 yards with two interceptions, both late in the fourth quarter.
Junior placekicker Michael Torres (Thiells, N.Y./Rockland HS) nailed a career-high 51-yard field goal with 4:03 to play in the third quarter to get the Golden Knights within six points.
Senior wideout Mike Walker (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater HS) had a game-high nine catches for 85 yards. Israel found freshman tight end Cory Rabazinksi (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park HS) three times for 40 yards.
Sophomore safety Jason Venson (Marietta, Ga./Marietta HS) recorded a season-high 14 tackles in the loss. Making his first career start, freshman linebacker Chance Henderson (Conyers, Ga./Heritage HS) tallied nine total stops.
Senior cornerback Travonti Johnson (Miami, Fla./Krop HS) and sophomore defensive back Johnell Neal (Baton Rouge, La./Redemptionist HS) both had interceptions for UCF. Neal's was the first of his career.
Fractious rushed 23 times for 128 yards for the Pirates. James Pinkney completed 16-of-30 pass attempts for 135 yards. Aundre Allison led East Carolina with eight catches for 67 yards.
The Golden Knights return to action on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Memphis. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. The contest will be televised live nationally on CSTV.
UCF's next home game, its final tilt of the regular season, is slated for Saturday, Nov. 25 versus UAB at noon.
Tickets for the game are still available. Call 407-UCF-1000 for ticket information. 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.