Oct. 11, 2008
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Facing in-state foe Miami for the first time, UCF came up just short against the host Hurricanes, falling 20-14 Saturday at Dolphin Stadium. The contest served as UCF's final non-league game of the year.
Trailing by six with just under two minutes remaining in the contest, the Knights (2-4) had the ball on the Miami (3-3) 36, but turned the ball over on downs when freshman Rob Calabrese could not connect with sophomore wideout Brian Watters.
The hosts led 20-7 with 5:21 to go after Craig Cooper scored on a 5-yard run and Jacory Harris found the end zone for the two-point conversion. On the ensuing kickoff, senior Joe Burnett put the Knights back into the game with a 91-yard return for a touchdown.
The teams combined for just 22 total first downs. The Knights mustered just 78 yards of total offense, with only four of the yards coming on the ground.
Both of UCF's touchdowns came on returns as senior Johnell Neal cut Miami's lead to 10-7 with 7:22 to go in the second quarter after he picked off Robert Marve and raced 62 yards for the score. The Knights posted three interceptions in the game, with senior Sha'reff Rashad registering the other two.
Miami took the 10-7 advantage into halftime.
The Hurricanes registered a safety at the end of the third quarter when the ball was snapped over sophomore Blake Clingan's head when he was attempting a punt.
Cooper's fourth-quarter score came after Burnett mishandled a punt and Miami recovered at the UCF five-yard line.
Freshman Rob Calabrese started at quarterback for the Knights and completed 11-of-35 passes for 74 yards. Watters paced UCF with five receptions for 37 yards.
UCF attempted 12 punts during the game. Miami punted 11 times.
Sophomore Lawrence Young led all players with 11 total stops. Fellow sophomore Bruce Miller recorded 3.0 sacks for a loss of 23 yards.
Miami totaled 216 yards of total offense.
UCF will not play again until Oct. 26, when the Knights resume Conference USA play at Tulsa. The contest will be televised live nationally on ESPN.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.