April 12, 2008
2008 Spring Football Game Photo Gallery
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF football team held its first spring game inside Bright House Networks Stadium on Saturday as the UCF squad defeated the Knights, 16-7. Redshirt freshman Joe Weatherford tossed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Rocky Ross in the victory as he received most of his reps with the UCF squad, which was comprised of mostly first-team offensive and defensive players.
"We had a chance to play everybody and play everybody for the whole game," head coach George O'Leary said. "We played 82 players and I thought we came out of it injury free, which is always a good sign for a spring game. Again, I thought the format was what we wanted to get done. I do not know how many plays we did run, but I thought that we got a chance to evaluate, which is what a spring game is all about."
Unofficial statistics had Weatherford completing 7-for-15 for 148 yards with his one scoring throw. Sophomore wide receiver Kamar Aiken caught four passes for 70 yards for the UCF squad, who served as the home team in the game.
Aiken led all receivers with his efforts, while redshirt freshman Brian Watters added two grabs for 46 yards. Redshirt freshman running back Ronnie Weaver led the rushing efforts, carrying 15 times for 45 yards for team UCF. Jayson Williams led the Knights' ground attack with six attempts for 20 yards.
Senior Cory Hogue and redshirt freshman Omar Hansbrough led the UCF and Knights' defensive efforts, respectively, with six tackles a piece. Sophomore linebacker Derrick Hallman posted a 39-yard interception return and also had two sacks and five tackles.
Sophomore Lawrence Young, playing for the Knights, had the game's only other interception, when he corralled a tipped passed by safety Jordan Becker. True freshman Josh Linam also had a forced fumble that was recovered by Jordan Richards. Linam had five tackles in the game as well.
Juniors Torrell Troup and David Williams added two sacks a piece as the team's combined for 11 quarterback takedowns in the contest. Quarterbacks were only live if they left the pocket, so most of the sack plays were whistled down before a tackle occurred.
UCF got on the board late in the first quarter when Weatherford launched a 32-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Rocky Ross to the home team ahead 6-0 after kicker Jordan Dodds point-after-touchdown attempt failed. UCF extended its advantage to 13-0 just before intermission with a one-yard run by Weaver and the point-after by Dodds.
The Knights answered back with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter when Rashad Shaheed forced Sidney Haynes to fumble following a short completion. Sophomore Darin Baldwin scooped up the loose ball and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown to cut the Knights' deficit to seven, 13-6. UCF put the game away with 5:43 remaining in the fourth quarter when Dodds nailed a 33-yard field goal attempt.
UCF opens its 2008 schedule on Aug. 30, when it plays host to South Carolina State at Bright House Networks Stadium.
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 UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
2008 UCF Spring Football Game (UCF vs. Knights - Saturday, April 12, 2008)
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 FUCF 6 7 0 3 16Knights 0 0 7 0 7
Scoring SummaryUCF - Ross 32 pass from Weatherford (Dodds kick failed) ... 2:34 1st qtr.UCF - Weaver 1 run (Dodds kick) ... 1:17 2nd qtr.Knights - Baldwin 19 fumble recovery (Dodds kick) ... 2:30 3rd qtr.UCF - Dodds 33 FG ... 5:43 4th qtr.
Statistics (Unofficial)Passing (att-cmp-int-yards-td)Joe Weatherford 7-15-1-148-1Nate Tice 2-4-1-13-0Michael Greco 2-2-0-14-0Andy Slowik 0-3-0-0-0
="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>Rushing (att-net yards-td)Ronnie Weaver 15-45-1Jayson Williams 6-20-0James Jamison 5-5-0Khymest Williams 1-18-0Blake Clingan 1-17-0
Receiving (catches-yards-td)Kamar Aiken 4-70-0Brian Watters 2-46-0Rocky Ross 1-32-1Jevaughn Reams 1-10-0Sidney Haynes 1-8-0James Jamison 1-5-0Ronnie Weaver 1-4-0
Tackles (solo-assist-total)Omar Hansborough 6-0-6Cory Hogue 4-2-6Derrick Hallman 4-1-5Josh Linam 2-3-5Antonio Wallace 3-1-4Torrell Troup 3-1-4Chance Henderson 2-2-4Rashidi Haughton 2-2-4
SacksDerrick Hallman 2Torrell Troup 2David Williams 2Bruce Miller 1.5Josh Linam 1Darius Nall 1Antonio Wallace 1Rashidi Haughton .5="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:>="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:> --UCF Athletics--