Nov. 25, 2008
ORLANDO (UCFAthletics.com) - The Knights have posted a pair of impressive road victories the past two weeks, beating Marshall and Memphis, both in chilly conditions. The Knights will hope to close out their 2008 campaign on a three-game winning streak when they play host to UAB on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Tickets for the rumble with the Blazers can be purchased by checking out TicketMaster.com.
An extraordinary senior class will be recognized beforehand, one that will include Pat Brown making his 50th consecutive start at left tackle and a secondary which has combined to start 179 games and make 50 interceptions for the black and gold. History is on UCF's side as well. The Knights are 20-9 all-time on Senior Day, 3-0 in the C-USA era, and are a perfect 5-0 against UAB all-time. UCF is 8-4 since opening Bright House Networks Stadium as well.
KNIGHTS HOPE TO KEEP BLAZING VS. UAB
UCF is a perfect 5-0 all-time against UAB, including wins in each of the three meetings since UCF joined Conference USA in 2005. The teams first met at Legion Field on Nov. 9, 1996 with UCF winning 35-13. That year marked the first FBS season for both. The teams met again in 2001 at the Florida Citrus Bowl, producing a 24-7 victory for UCF. The most recent meeting of the sides was a 34-17 UCF win last Nov. 10 in Birmingham. UCF's 5-0 record vs. UAB is its best unblemished record against any opponent. William & Mary is next at 3-0.
UCF AT HOME IN CONFERENCE USA
The Knights are 10-5 all-time in Conference USA home games, and 11-6 overall including the 2005 and 2007 Conference USA Championship Games. The Knights had won each of their last seven home games against C-USA opposition until the Nov. 2 overtime loss to East Carolina.
KNIGHTS CAN SCORE IN MANY WAYS
UCF has scored five non-offensive touchdowns so far this year with Johnell Neal returning an interception 62 yards for a score against Miami, Joe Burnett returning kickoffs for touchdowns against both USF and Miami, Jamar Newsome falling on a fumble in the end zone at Marshall and Derrick Hallman returning a fumble 26 yards at Memphis. The five scores are the second most by the Knights in the Division I-A (FBS) era which started in 1996.
ONLY THE YOUNG CAN PLAY
UCF starts just one senior (Pat Brown) and one junior (first-year starter Ian Bustillo) on offense, a unit which ranks amongst the youngest in the nation. Each of UCF's top five wide receivers are sophomores. The Knights play a sophomore (John Lubischer) and a true freshman (Kyle Madden) at tight end. A true freshman starts at both quarterback (Rob Calabrese) and tailback (Brynn Harvey). Harvey is backed up by three freshmen. Five of UCF's top six rushers this year are freshmen. The Knights start freshmen and sophomores at left guard (Nick Pischell), right guard (Jah Reid) and right tackle (Adam Nissley) and a sophomore fullback in Ricky Kay.
KNIGHTS HOPE TO WIN WITH BRYNN
True freshman Brynn Harvey has started each of the last five games at tailback. He has carried the ball 110 times on the season for 429 yards and one touchdown. Against Marshall, he ran for 150 yards, the most by a UCF player this year and the most by a Knight freshman since Kevin Smith in 2005.
KNIGHTS AMONGST C-USA'S BEST ON DEFENSE
UCF leads Conference USA in passing efficiency defense (104.59 rating) and ranks 17th in the nation. The Knights are second in total defense (329.18 ypg), scoring defense (24.91 ppg) and rushing defense (124.82 ypg).
AN INTERCEPTION A DAY KEEPS THE OFFENSE AT BAY
The Knights recorded at least one interception in 16 consecutive games before the streak was snapped. UCF has at least one interception in 18 of its last 19 games overall. Prior to Southern Miss on Nov. 8, the last team not to have a pass intercepted by the UCF defense was USF on Oct. 13, 2007.
KNIGHTS STAND SIXTH NATIONALLY IN INTERCEPTIONS
UCF's defense is tied for sixth nationally with its 18 interceptions so far this season. Boston College leads the nation with 23. UCF's 18 is also the most of any Conference USA school.
THREE OF THE TOP 22 FOR PASSES DEFENDED
A trio of Knights (Sha'reff Rashad, Johnell Neal and Joe Burnett) are all amongst the top 23 nationally in passes defended. Rashad and Burnett are tied for 14th with 1.27 while Neal is tied for 23rd with 1.28. Passes defended is defined by the NCAA as the sum of interceptions plus passes broken up. The three are all amongst the Conference USA top four in this category and UCF is the only school nationally with three players ranked this high.