Nov. 3, 2008
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
Team Notes
- The game's announced attendance of 40,202 marks the second-highest number to see a mid-season ESPN Sunday night game, second only to the 41,077 fans that saw Connecticut play at Rutgers on Oct. 29, 2006.
- The attendance was also the largest crowd to watch a non-Saturday game at UCF.
- UCF is now 0-6 in overtime games since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 1996.
- The game was the Knights' first Conference USA East Division game. UCF was the last team in the nation to play a divisional foe. The Knights are 11-5 in East Division play as a Conference USA member.
- The Knights played a non-Saturday game for just the seventh time since joining C-USA. They are 3-4 in those contests.
- With Johnell Neal's fourth-quarter interception, UCF has now intercepted a pass in 16 consecutive games.
- Under head coach George O'Leary, the Knights are now 17-4 when leading after the first quarter.
- With a 3-0 lead, UCF was in front after the first quarter for the first time this season.
- UCF forced a three-and-out on East Carolina's opening possession, the seventh time in eight games this season the Knights' foes have not scored on their first drive.
- With Jamar Newsome's 54-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, UCF has now scored a touchdown of 50 or more yards in each of its last four games. - UCF started with first downs on its first four plays.
- The Pirates did not score in the first quarter, the third time this season UCF has held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter.
- UCF lost its first game in Bright House Networks Stadium against an unranked team or a C-USA opponent. The Knights are now 8-1 against unranked teams and 6-1 against league foes at home.
- UCF's starting secondary again included Joe Burnett, Johnell Neal, Sha'reff Rashad and Jason Venson. The quartet has now started a combined total of 167 career games. The quartet now has 47 career picks.
Individual Notes
- Johnell Neal's fourth-quarter interception was his fourth of the season and 12th of his career. He is now tied for third on UCF's all-time list with teammate Sha'reef Rashad.
- Jamar Newsome's second career reception went for his first career touchdown, a 54-yard catch and run in the second quarter. Newsome had two catches for 60 yards.
- Jason Venson's third-quarter fumble recovery was his second of the season.
- Burnett extended the Conference USA career punt return record to 1,271 yards. The NCAA's active leader in punt return yardage returned four punts for 40 yards in the contest, and the senior is now tied for 23rd on the nation's all-time list.
- Burnett now has 94 punt returns, behind only Arnold Jackson of Louisville, who finished with 100, on Conference USA's all-time list.
- Patrick Brown has now started a national-high 46 consecutive games at left tackle.
- Jarvis Geathers made his first career start today at defensive end. With that addition, 44 active Knights have now started a game in their respective UCF careers. Geathers had a career-high five tackles, including three for a loss.