Sept. 18, 2007
UCF Football Game Notes - The Memphis Game in PDF Format
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ORLANDO - UCF treated its fans to one of the most memorable weekends in school history when it opened Bright House Networks Stadium Sept. 15. Even though the Knights were unable to pull off the stunning upset in a 35-32 loss to the No. 6 Longhorns, fans wearing Black and Gold are anxious to return to the stadium for the Conference USA opener against Memphis Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Against Texas, the attendance of 45,622 marked the fourth-largest crowd to watch a UCF football game, and it was dazzled by the rushing efforts of junior Kevin Smith. On 27 attempts, he broke out for 149 yards and two touchdowns. The nation's leading rusher, Smith has 366 yards through the first two outings and averages 5.9 yards per carry.
Memphis and UCF both bring identical 1-1 records into Saturday's match-up. The Tigers are coming off a 35-14 victory over Jacksonville State after falling to Ole Miss in week one, 23-21.
UCF Quick Hits
- CSS (Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast) will carry the Memphis contest at Bright House Networks Stadium, which will be the first of two games the network televises this year. CSS also is on tap to broadcast UCF's homecoming game against Marshall Nov. 3.
- UCF has reached the red zone on seven occasions in 2007 and has scored each time, including five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Memphis is 5-for-10 in red-zone conversions, all five of which have been TDs.
- The Knights own a two-game winning streak vs. the Tigers as they lead the series 2-1. Michael Torres provided UCF with four field goals at the Liberty Bowl in 2006, capped off by the game-winner with just 3:01 remaining for a 26-24 win.
A Special Anniversary
- Sept. 22 may be when UCF's next game takes place, but it also symbolizes an important date in Knight history. Twenty-nine years ago, UCF traveled to St. Leo and defeated the Lions 21-0 in the "Fighting Knights" first football game.
More Notes from the Ground
- Tailback Kevin Smith already has four touchdowns in 2007, which moved him into a tie for fifth on UCF's career list with 20. With two more gallops into the endzone, Smith will tie Mark Giacone for fourth. Also, with 2,478 career yards, he stands in fourth place in UCF history, needing just 92 more yards to surpass Marquette Smith for third.
Another Knight Climbing the Record Books
- Junior corner back Joe Burnett continued to solve opposing quarterbacks when he picked off his eighth-career pass Sept. 15 vs. Texas. Currently in a tie for third, Burnett is looking for one more to move into a tie for second at UCF with Reggie Edwards.
Not Young at All
- True freshman Lawrence Young has made his presence felt early in his UCF career. He has started both games for the Knights this season and has forced three turnovers, while collecting 14 tackles. Against No. 6 Texas, Young had five tackles and forced two fumbles that the Knights recovered.