Oct. 3, 2008
Knights Football Central
UCF Game Notes
Purchase Tickets
Gameday Information
Gameday Promotions
SMU at UCF
Saturday, Oct. 4 ? Bright House Networks Stadium ? 3:30 p.m.
Television: CBS College Sports (Tom Hart, Trev Alberts)
Radio: UCF ISP Sports Radio Network ? Marc Daniels (play-by-play), Gary Parris (color), Jerry O'Neill (sideline reporter), Scott Adams (reporter)
WQTM 740AM - Orlando, WMMV 1350AM Cocoa, WDCF 1350AM - Dade City, WROD 1340AM - Daytona Beach, WMMB 1240AM - Melbourne, WLVJ 1040AM/WKAT 1360 AM - Miami, Fort Lauderdale, South Palm Beach), WPSL 1590AM - Treasure Coast/North Palm Beach, WZHR 1400AM - Zephyrhills
Internet: Live audio and statistics at UCFAthletics.com
When UCF (1-3, 0-1 C-USA) has the ball
Saturday afternoon, the Knights host SMU for their home conference opener. The Knights are looking to improve their scoring output after their defeat at UTEP last week. Either junior Michael Greco or freshman Rob Calabrese will be starting at quarterback for UCF. Calabrese led the Knights' only two scoring drives last week, and threw his first career touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Kamar Aiken. Although the Knights returned Aiken from injury, they lost senior wide receiver Rocky Ross for the season when he broke his collar bone in the first quarter. Aiken led the receivers with five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. With Aiken back, it gives the Knights the deep threat they had been missing prior to last week's game. For the second consecutive week, UCF faces C-USA's worst pass defense. As for the running game, the quarterbacks have led the Knights in rushing three out of the four games played. Defensively the Mustangs are led by sophomore linebacker Justin Smart. Smart, a member of the 2007 All-CUSA Freshman Team, leads the Mustangs in tackles with 38 and one interception on the year.
When SMU (1-4, 0-2 C-USA) has the ball
With head coach June Jones running the show at SMU, the Mustangs have adopted his "Run and Shoot" offense. Leading the Mustangs' passing attack is freshman Bo Levi Mitchell. Mitchell is eighth overall in passing efficiency in the conference, and has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. The receivers catching most of Mitchell's passes are junior Emmanuel Sanders and sophomore Adrick Robinson. They have combined for over 60 receptions and 1,000 yards. The Knights will not need to concentrate much on the Mustang run game, because SMU has only rushed for a combined 180 yards on the season. Trying to put a stop to the Mustang offense will be a Knight defense that ranks sixth overall in conference. The Knights, who rank second to last in turnover margin, have recorded seven interceptions on the season and look to add to that total against Mitchell who leads C-USA with 12. With the Mustangs putting pressure on UCF's defensive backs and linebackers, the defensive line will need to step up and continually pressure Mitchell.
Game changers
The Knights for the second straight week will be going up against a suspect pass defense, and will need some big plays from Aiken. Aiken, who led the team with over 17 yards per catch last year, showed why he is such a threat when he caught five balls in his first game back from an injury. Aiken will also have to step up with the loss of Ross for the season. For the Mustangs, they will need the consistency of Sanders to put up a fight against the Knights. He leads the conference in receiving yards per game, averaging 112. His 39 receptions on the season also tie him for second in C-USA with Rice All-American receiver Jarett Dillard.
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.