Sept. 28, 2008
EL PASO, Texas -Trevor Vittatoe threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns to lead UTEP to a 58-13 win over UCF on Saturday night. The game served as the first Conference USA tilt for both programs.
Rob Calabrese, making his first start for UCF (1-3, 0-1), threw for 167 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a game-high 86 yards on 11 attempts.
Also on the ground for the Knights, Ronnie Weaver amassed 51 yards and his first collegiate touchdown, a 13-yard scamper in the third quarter. Calabrese's main target against the Miners (1-3, 1-0) was Kamar Aiken. The sophomore returned to the lineup after missing the first three games, and racked up five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. That scoring play came on an eight-play, 77-yard drive in the second quarter that made it 17-7 UTEP.
However, a 74-yard touchdown reception by Kris Adams followed by Jose Martinez booting a 64-yard field goal to close the first half put the game out of reach for the Knights.
Cornelius Brown, who had two interceptions and blocked a punt, led the UTEP defense as it forced UCF into six turnovers, including two fumbles recovered for touchdowns.
Torrell Troup paced the Black and Gold defense with seven tackles, two of which came for a loss of 15 yards. Collectively, UCF completed the contest with 10 quarterback hurries and six pass break-ups. Joe Burnett, meanwhile, picked off his 13th career pass to tie him with Keith Evans for the school record.