Nov. 14, 2008
Knights Football Central
UCF Game Notes
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UCF at Marshall
Saturday, Nov. 15 ? Joan C. Edwards Stadium ? 4:30 p.m.
Television: Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (Paul Crane, Chuck Oliver and Allison Williams) ? Bright House Sports Network Channel 47
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 1360AM - Miami, Fort Lauderdale, South Palm Beach), WPSL 1590AM - Treasure Coast/North Palm Beach, WZHR 1400AM - Zephyrhills
Internet: Live video, audio and statistics at UCFAthletics.com
When UCF (2-7, 1-4 C-USA) has the ball
This Saturday, the Knights head up to Huntington, W. Va. to take on Marshall in a Conference USA match-up. Since joining the league in 2005, UCF is 3-0 against the Thundering Herd. The last time the Knights traveled to Huntington, they defeated the Herd 23-22 on a Wednesday night ESPN game, the team's first victory on a national stage. The squad hopes to play the role of spoiler as Saturday serves as Marshall's homecoming. Looking to improve over the course of the last three games of the season is freshman quarterback Rob Calabrese. Calabrese will be the main focus at the quarterback position for the rest of 2008. The rookie foursome at running back, who are vying for a starting spot, has returned to a series-by-series situation, with all four likely to see playing time. Sophomore receiver Brian Watters continues to lead the Knights with 34 receptions for 505 yards. Marshall's defense is a much improved unit from a season ago. In C-USA, the Herd is ranked second in scoring defense and third in passing efficiency defense. Leading Marshall in tackles and sacks is junior linebacker Mario Harvey, who has collected 69 total tackles and 4.5 sacks on the season.
When Marshall (4-5, 3-2 C-USA) has the ball
With the 10th ranked offense in the conference, Marshall will be looking to move the ball more efficiently Saturday afternoon. Even though the Herd is ranked in the lower half of the conference in offense, the team has plenty of playmakers. Leading the aerial attack for Marshall is freshman quarterback Mark Cann, who has 1,652 yards passing and 12 touchdowns on the season. His leading receiver is Florida native Darius Passmore. On the year, the senior has 1,021 all purpose yards, with 853 receiving, and 168 rushing yards. The Marshall ground attack features two backs in Darius Marshall, and Chubb Small. The duo has combined for 1,050 yards on the ground, while Marshall is ranked second in C-USA in all-purpose yards with 1,470. Half of those yards have come off of kick-off returns where he has excelled this season. Even though UCF cannot make it to a bowl this year, the defense still has the goal of finishing the year as the number one defense in C-USA. Currently, the Knights are second only to East Carolina, with little room separating the two.
Game changers
Senior defensive back Joe Burnett has done it all for the Knights in his four year career. This season, the senior has showed the nation his outstanding return skills. Against both USF and Miami, Burnett returned a kickoff for a touchdown in front of a national audience. Burnett is both C-USA and UCF's all-time leading punt returner. He ranks first in kickoff and punt return averages in the conference in 2008, and has also made his presence felt on defense, collecting three interceptions this season, and 15 for his career. Marshall has its own version of Burnett in the kicking game. Darius Marshall has 642 kickoff return yards, which ranks second behind Burnett. Marshall also leads the Herd in rushing with 741 yards for five touchdowns, while averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
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.