Nov. 25, 2006
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ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com ) - Playing its final game at the Florida Citrus Bowl, UCF concluded the 2006 season in style, posting a 31-22 Conference USA victory over UAB on Saturday afternoon. With the win, UCF improved to 4-8 overall and 3-5 in league play.
Next fall, the Golden Knights will move into its new on-campus home, Bright House Networks Stadium. The Blazers finish the year 3-9 and 2-6.
Junior quarterback Kyle Israel (Orlando, Fla./University HS) scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown with 2:43 to play in the contest to clinch the victory for UCF.
Israel completed 19-of-22 pass attempts for 270 yards and two touchdowns. He found senior wideout Mike Walker (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater HS) a game-high seven times for 133 yards.
The Golden Knights led 21-3 at halftime, but the Blazers then outscored the hosts, 19-3. When Chris Felder returned a fumble by Walker 44 yards for a touchdown with 6:27 to play, UAB trailed 24-22. The Blazers went for two, but Joseph Webb's pass attempt failed.
Israel found Walker for a pair of scoring tosses in the first quarter, the first from 42 yards out. Senior tailback Jason Peters (Seattle, Wash.) capped UCF's scoring in the opening half with a 10-yard touchdown run at the start of the second quarter.
UCF accounted for 483 yards of offense for the game, with 229 coming in the first quarter. Peters rushed 19 times for 129 yards. Sophomore safety Jason Venson (Marietta, Fla./Marietta HS) had a game-high 12 total tackles in the victory. The Golden Knights recorded four sacks for a loss of 45 yards.
Swayze Waters had three field goals for UAB, with two coming in the third quarter when the Blazers scored 13 points. Webb's 14-yard touchdown scamper as time expired in the third quarter cut UCF's advantage to 24-13.
The Blazers tallied 378 total yards of offense, but only 89 on the ground. Webb was 25-of-39 for 289 yards. He connected with Willie Edwards five times for 100 yards. 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.