10198281019828

UCF Spring Football Practice Report: Day Eight

March 31, 2007

Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF football team held its first situational scrimmage of the spring on Saturday as more than 200 fans were on hand to watch at the practice fields next to the Wayne Densch Center. Both sides of the ball had bright spots during the 92-play scrimmage.

"I thought it was a good scrimmage from a standpoint of contact," Head coach George O'Leary said. "The offense executed some plays and did some nice things out there and defensively they made some stops and forced some turnovers. That is what the game is about. They were competitive the whole time."

Senior quarterback Kyle Israel directed five scoring drives on the day, including four touchdowns and a field goal. Three of the touchdowns came during goal-line situations when the offense started on the five-yard line.

Israel threw a pair of touchdown passes, a three-yarder to senior tight end Mike Merritt and a four-yarder to redshirt freshman Jamar Newsome. For the day, Israel completed 15-of-21 passes for 126 yards.

"I thought Kyle did some good things," O'Leary added. "I think he tried to get a little to cute down by the goal line. We have to spend some more time down there in practice. We will do that over the last seven days of practice."

Junior Rocky Ross led the receiving corps with seven catches for 32 yards. Redshirt freshman Jevaughn Reams had three catches for a team-high 54 yards. Reams hauled in a 42-yard touchdown pass from second-string quarterback Marquel Neaseman. Senior Javid James also had three catches for 51 yards. Neaseman was 7-for-13 for 92 yards.

Sophomore Phillip Smith had 35 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns during the goal-line situations. Senior Curtis Francis combined for 51 yards rushing and receiving, including a 30-yard reception.

Defensively, second-team free safety Breon Rogers had a hand in two of the four turnovers forced by the unit. Rogers recovered a Smith fumble inside the five-yard line as the first-team offense was mounting a drive. He also picked off an Israel pass in the endzone and was on his way to a 102-yard return before the play was whistled dead.

True freshman Darin Baldwin, one of four spring arrivals from the 2007 signing class, had a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown and senior linebacker Blake Carter also had an interception.

Senior linebacker Steven Baker led the team with eight tackles, including five solo stops. Junior Jared Kirksey and senior Antonio Wallace were both credited with a pair of sacks.

In the kicking game, senior Michael Torres and junior Jake Howard closed out the practice working on long-range field goals. Torres made both a 52 and 57-yard attempt, while Howard made two from 52 yards and one from 57. Torres added a 27-yard make during the scrimmage.

For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports.

Unofficial Stats
Passing Comp-Att, Yards, Tds, IntsKyle Israel 15-for-21, 126 yards, 2 Td, 1 IntMarquel Neasman 7-for-13, 92 yards, 1 Td, 1 IntChris Carr 1-for-6, 4 yards, 1 Int
Rushing Rushes-YardsPhillip Smith 35-32, 2 TdsCurtis Francis 10-21Kyle Israel 6-19, 2 Tds
Receiving Catches-YardsRocky Ross 7-32Jevaughn Reams 3-54, 1 TdJavid James 3-51
Tackles Solo-Assist (Total)Steven Baker 5-3 (8)Chance Henderson 1-6 (7)Cory Hogue 4-3 (7)
SacksAntonio Wallace 2Jared Kirksey 2
InterceptionsDarin Baldwin 1Blake Carter 1Breon Rogers 1="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>