April 14, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The defense controlled the final scrimmage of the spring for the UCF football team as more than 600 Golden Knights fans were in attendance at the practice fields next to the Wayne Densch Sports Center. The Knights' defensive unit forced four turnovers, collected three sacks and allowed only 80 yards of rushing.
"I was pleased with the enthusiasm of the defense," head coach George O'Leary said. "We have things to work on, but the defense did a good job of tackling and not allowing any extra yards. I thought the defensive backs and linebackers played well. This is the best group of athletes that I have had from a depth standpoint here (at UCF). Offensively, I was concerned with the amount of dropped balls today, but that is correctable, but overall I think we had a successful spring."
Senior linebacker Blake Carter and sophomore cornerback Emery Allen each led the defense with seven tackles. Carter also had one of the two interceptions by the defense. Freshman Darin Baldwin, a mid-year arrival for the Knights, had the other interception, making a nice diving catch on a deep throw by Kyle Israel.
Seniors Steven Baker and Emeka Okammor forced fumbles that led to turnovers for the defense. Junior Antonio Wallace had two of the three sacks from his defensive end spot, while senior defensive tackle Keith Shologan added the third one.
Offensively, the Knights were able to put four touchdowns on the board during goalline situations with the ball starting on the four-yard line. Senior running back Curtis Francis had a pair of touchdown runs, while Israel ran for a score and tossed a four-yard pass to sophomore tight end Corey Rabazinski for another.
Israel went 17-for-34 through the air for 113 yards and one touchdown. Francis led all rushers with 46 yards on the ground. Redshirt freshman James Jamison added eight carries for 33 yards. Junior Rocky Ross and senior Javid James led the receivers with four catches a piece. James hauled in a scrimmage-high 30 yards receiving.
Junior placekicker Jake Howard made good on all three of his field goal attempts, connecting on kicks from 46, 47 and 51 yards.
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Unofficial Stats - Scrimmage LeadersPassingKyle Israel 17-for-34, 113 yards, 1 TD, 1 INTMarquel Neasman 3-for-9, 21 yards, 1 INTChris Carr 5-for-9, 26 yards
RushingCurtis Francis 24 att., 46 yards, 2 TDJames Jamison 8 att., 33 yardsChris Carr 3 att., 16 yards
ReceivingJavid James 4 rec., 30 yardsRocky Ross 4 rec., 25 yardsMike Merritt 3 rec., 18 yards
Tackling Solo-Asst TotalBlake Carter 4-3 7Emery Allen 7-0 7Darin Baldwin 5-1 6Chance Henderson 4-2 6Rex Hill 3-3 6
SacksAntonio Wallace 2Keith Shologan 1
InterceptionsBlake Carter 1Darin Baldwin 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:>