June 9, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The USF football team will travel approximately 83 miles down I-4 to take on UCF for the first time at Bright House Networks Stadium on Sept. 6. This will mark the fourth year in a row of the heated contest between the two schools, which has quickly become one of the state's biggest rivalries.
The Bulls lead the series 3-0, but have yet to travel into intimidating Bright House Networks Stadium. Both schools are opening up the season at home against Football Championship Subdivision opponents and this contest will be both teams' second games.
USF finished the 2007 campaign with a 9-4 record and played in the Brut Sun Bowl against Oregon. The Bulls will be the second team that UCF will face in 2008 that was ranked as high as number two in the A.P. poll a year ago. The other is Boston College.
USF quarterback Matt Grothe is one of 62 letterwinners returning for the Bulls, including 10 starting offensive players. Grothe is the definition of a double-threat quarterback. Last season he led the team with 2,670 yards passing and also 872 rushing yards. His rushing was more out of necessity because of USF's running back by committee system. During spring practices however, sophomore running back Mike Ford impressed the coaching staff with his increased muscular size and "stronger" running style which in turn solidified him as the starting running back.
The defense is also returning six starters, but lost both of its cornerbacks to the NFL. The early favorites to start are junior Jerome Murphy and senior Tyller Roberts, but underclassmen Quinton Washington and Tyson Butler are both outplaying their coaches' previous expectations for them and pushing for the starting positions.
Another key position that is up in the air for the Bulls is the role of middle linebacker. Tyrone McKenzie, the nation's leading returning tackler, is the top candidate to fill in at middle linebacker, but the coaches aren't sure if he can make the big adjustment as fluid as they would like from weakside linebacker. Brouce Mompremier might move from strongside linebacker and junior college transfer Kion Wilson could be another option.
In 2007, UCF went 10-4, claimed the Conference USA Championship and participated in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Season tickets for the 2008 UCF football campaign are currently available. To order season tickets, or to learn more abut attending games at Bright House Networks Stadium, call 407-UCF-1000. The Knights are scheduled to play six home contests this year.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log onto www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also visit www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.