Oct. 12, 2007
Knights Football Central | Listen Live |
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF football team travels to Tampa on Saturday for its final non-conference tilt of the season as the Knights (3-2, 1-1 C-USA) are set to take on in-state foe USF (5-0, 1-0 Big East) at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is slated for Noon.
The Knights and Bulls will play in front of a sellout crowd at the 65,857-seat venue for the first time in what will mark the third meeting between the two schools separated by just over 80 miles. The fifth-ranked USF team will be the highest-ranked opponent the Knights will face this season, having already played No. 6 Texas in the inaugural game at Bright House Networks Stadium.
This will be the first time since 1997 that UCF has played a pair of top 10 teams in the same season. The Knights traveled to No. 6 Nebraska and No. 8 Auburn during that campaign.
The Knights have rushed for 1,198 yards through five games and rank ninth nationally, averaging 239.6 yards per game, while the Bulls are yielding only 115.6 yards per game on the ground. UCF junior Kevin Smith holds the national lead at 172.0 yards rushing per game.
USF's defense has the nation's leading sacker as defensive end George Selvie has collected 10.5 quarterback takedowns through five games. The UCF offensive line has been stingy allowing its quarterback to be sacked as that unit has only surrendered five this season.
The Knights will make their first appearance in school history on ESPNU. However, UCF is no stranger to the ESPN family of networks, having appeared 19 previous times on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Regional and ESPN360.com. It is the third national broadcast of the season for the Knights. Clay Matvick will handle the play-by-play duties, while former Miami (Fla.) head coach Larry Coker will provide game analysis.
In the Sunshine State, the contest can be heard on the UCF-ISP Sports Network and its flagship station, WQTM 740-AM in Orlando. Network affiliates include WMMV 1350-AM (Cocoa), WDCF 1350-AM (Dade City), WORD 1340-AM (Daytona Beach), WMMB 1240-AM (Melbourne), WLVJ 1040-AM/WKAT 1360-AM (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, South Palm Beach County), WPSL 1590-AM (Treasure Coast, North Palm Beach County) and WZHR-1400-AM (Zephyrhills).
Marc Daniels will provide the play-by-play, Gary Parris will have the analysis and Jerry O'Neill will man the sidelines for the UCF broadcast. Scott Adams is the studio host.
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. Also check out www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics.