Oct. 1, 2007
UCF Football Game Notes - The East Carolina Game in PDF Format
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ORLANDO - A 37-19 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette wrapped up a three-game homestand for the UCF football team Sept. 29, and the Knights now prepare to get back into Conference USA action with a trip to East Carolina Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It will be the second time UCF visits North Carolina in 2007, as it defeated NC State, 25-23, in the season-opener Sept. 1
The Black and Gold's meeting with the Pirates will be televised live by CSTV.
With a 3-1 overall record and a 1-0 mark in league play, UCF continues to receive votes in both the Associated Press and the USA Today Coaches' polls. Through four games, the Knights are averaging over 100 rushing yards more than their opponents (252.8-151.0), while the defense has 10 sacks compared to UCF giving up just four.
East Carolina, meanwhile, is riding an emotional 37-35 victory over Houston last weekend, which improved its record to 1-1 in C-USA and 2-3 for the year. ECU held a 37-28 lead after connecting on a field goal, but witnessed the Cougars' Donnie Avery return the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to close the third quarter. Now with a two-point advantage, the Pirates survived two missed field goal attempts, the second with three ticks left on the clock, to lock up the win.
In last year's meeting at the Florida Citrus Bowl, East Carolina held UCF to 58 rushing yards in a 23-10 ECU triumph. Kyle Israel was 18-of-34 with 205 yards for the Knights.
What's He Up to Now?
- Junior tailback Kevin Smith set a career-high with 223 rushing yards in the win over Louisiana, which was his third 200-yard game of his career and second of the season. He also scampered into the endzone three times to give him 10 for the season. Smith now has crossed the goal line at least twice in all four games.
With a 178.25 yards per game average, Smith now ranks first in the country, while his 10 rushing TDs also put him atop the national charts. In UCF history, Smith stands third with 26 career rushing touchdowns and third with 2,825 yards on the ground.
UCF in League Road Openers
- The Knights won a league road-opener last season for the first time since dropping its independent status prior to the 2002 season. After losing its first four (three as a MAC member and one in C-USA) such contests, UCF ended the skid with a 23-22 victory at Marshall Oct. 4, 2006. Senior Michael Torres booted a 22-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining to seal the victory.
The 300 Club
- UCF has gained at least 300 yards rushing in two-straight games. Last week against Louisiana-Lafayette, the squad finished with exactly 300 rushing yards. Versus Memphis on Sept. 22, the Knights amassed 313 yards. The strong performances on the ground in back-to-back games marked the first time since the Knights moved to the Football Bowl Subdivision prior to the 1996 season that they have recorded 300-yard rushing outings in consecutive games.
Home is Sweeter in 2007
- Off to a 2-1 start at the new facility, there is no doubt that the Knights are enjoying Bright House Networks Stadium. UCF has totaled 125 points at the new on-campus venue so far this season. In 2006, the Knights played seven home contests at the Florida Citrus Bowl and scored 143 points. The Knights have already matched their home win total from 2006 (2-5).
Filling it Up
- After three games, UCF is averaging 43,474 in attendance at Bright House Networks Stadium. In all, 130,421 fans have entered the gates this season. The 42,646 that attended the Louisiana-Lafayette game marked the fifth-largest home crowd in UCF history.