Oct. 29, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF junior running back Kevin Smith (Miami, Fla./Southridge) was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, league officials announced. Smith's award is his second of the season and it is the fifth weekly honor for a Knight this season, which is tops among C-USA schools.
Smith broke five school records in the Knights' 34-17 road win at Southern Miss on Sunday night. With his 175-yard rushing effort on a school-record 43 carries, Smith became the all-time leading rusher at UCF with 3,372 yards, eclipsing the mark of 3,359 yards held by Alex Haynes (2001-04).
Smith added a pair of rushing touchdowns to break UCF single-season marks for rushing touchdowns (16) and overall touchdowns (17) scored. His total of 175 yards also was his seventh 100-yard rushing effort in eight games this season, giving him a school record 16 100-yard rushing games in his career. Smith's season rushing total increased to 1,260 yards, which is a new career-high and the second-most by a UCF running back in a single season.
Smith is ranked second nationally in rushing yards per game with a 157.5 average and his 16 rushing touchdowns are tied for the most with Ohio running back Kelvin McCrae. Smith's first weekly honor of the season (Sept. 4) came following a 217-yard rushing effort in the Knights' 25-23 victory at NC State.
Tulsa's Nelson Coleman earned the league's weekly defensive honor after making 21 tackles in a victory over SMU. UTEP's Jose Martinez earned the special teams accolade after connecting on a C-USA record 57-yard field goal in the Miners' setback to Houston.
Tickets for UCF's remaining two home games in 2007 are still available and can be purchased by calling 407-UCF-1000. The Knights face Marshall this Saturday at Bright House Networks Stadium in the first Homecoming game at the new on-campus venue. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET.
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 pictures.
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