April 7, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF football team completed its second scrimmage of the spring on Saturday in front of nearly 400 fans at the practice fields next to the Wayne Densch Sports Center. The defense held the upper hand for the first half of the scrimmage, but the Knights' offense finally started to click towards the close of the scrimmage.
"I saw some good things and some bad things out there," head coach George O'Leary said. "We have to protect the ball better. We had too many turnovers, but I think the first team offense did some nice things in the red zone and down by the goal line. The second team offense did not do so well. This is the last week of practice, so I expect the intensity to pick up."
The first team offense turned the ball over on its initial three possessions before O'Leary called for an intermission. Keith Shologan recovered a fumble by Curtis Francis on the opening possession, the Knights turned the ball over on downs on the second possession in the red zone and Jason Venson picked off a Kyle Israel pass on the third possession.
The second and third team defense forced the respective offenses to punt on three-and-outs on their first two possessions before the break.
After the intermission, cornerback Johnell Neal blocked a 54-yard field goal attempt by Michael Torres on the first-team offenses' attempt to score with the ball starting on the 50-yard line. The second and third team offenses also could not get on the scoreboard from the 50.
Starting with the ball on the defenses' 30-yard line, the offense was finally able to mount some touchdown drives. Francis scored on touchdowns rushes from the 27-yard line and the eight-yard line for the first team offense, while senior wide receiver Javid James hauled in a pair of touchdown passes from Marquel Neasman for the second unit. James had scoring catches of 17 and 28 yards.
During goal line situations, the first-team offense continued to play well as Francis added two more touchdown runs from three and four yards out, respectively. Redshirt freshman Jevaughn Reams also caught a 3-yard touchdown pass for the No. 1 unit.
The second team offense was held out of the endzone by the second team defense on its lone opportunity in the goal line situation.
Francis was the leading rusher on the day as he had 26 carries for 96 yards to go with his four touchdowns. Francis also caught two passes for 12 yards. Walk-on Karl Ober added five carries for 23 yards and Jayson Williams had 13 carries for 16 yards.
The quarterback was saw Israel complete 17-of-24 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown. Neasman went 3-of-9 for 50 yards and two scores, while third-stringer Chris Carr went 3-of-8 for 12 yards.
Sophomore Rocky Ross and Reams each had a scrimmage-high six catches. Ross hauled in 71 yards, including a one-handed 41-yard reception on a deep ball from Israel. James totaled 50 yards on three catches, including his two touchdowns.
In all, the defense forced four turnovers as Venson and Breon Rogers were credited with interceptions and Shologan and Chance Henderson had fumble recoveries. Antonio Wallace, Jordan Richards, Steven Baker, Augustus Ashley and Emeka Okammor each had a sack during the afternoon scrimmage.
Neal was the leading tackler on the day with 13, including nine solo stops. Steven Baker also reached double figures in tackles with 11 (seven solo, four assists).
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Unofficial Stats
Passing Comp-Att, Yards, Tds, IntsKyle Israel 17-for-24, 155 yards, 1 Td, 1 IntMarquel Neasman 3-for-9, 50 yards, 2 Td, 1 IntChris Carr 3-for-8, 12 yards
Rushing Rushes-YardsCurtis Francis 26-96, 4 TdsKarl Ober 5-23Jayson Williams 13-16
Receiving Catches-YardsRocky Ross 6-71Jevaughn Reams 6-66, 1 TdJavid James 3-50, 2 Tds
Tackles Solo-Assist (Total)Steven Baker 9-4 (13)Chance Henderson 7-4 (11)Jason Venson 6-1 (7)Troy Kelly 1-6 (7)
SacksAntonio Wallace 1Steven Baker 1Augustus Ashley 1Jordan Richards 1Emeka Okammor 1
InterceptionsJason Venson 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:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="http:>