Nov. 8, 2008
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF (2-7, 1-4 C-USA) scored first Saturday afternoon at Bright House Networks Stadium, but visiting Southern Miss (4-6, 2-4 C-USA) rallied to score the final 17 points of the contest and post a win in a Conference USA East Division game 17-6.
Coming out of the break with a 7-6 lead, Southern Miss extended its edge and burned the majority of the third quarter with a 17-play, 85-yard drive that spanned 8:57 of game time. USM quarterback Austin Davis capped the drive with an eight-yard TD scamper.
UCF was unable to muster much offense in the second half as the USM defense held the Knights to just 86 yards of total offense in the final two periods.
The first half was a tale of two quarters. In the first, the host Knights held a 113-17 edge in total offense, including a 76-1 advantage in passing yards. In the second, Southern Miss outgained UCF 116-9, with an 84-3 margin in the passing game.
Using an 11-play, 91-yard drive, UCF crossed the goal line on its opening possession. The drive was capped by a three-yard touchdown pass from freshman Rob Calabrese (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) to sophomore Khymest Williams (Lutcher, La.). A failed extra point kept the Knights' lead at 6-0 with 5:34 on the first-quarter clock.
Southern Miss freshman DeAndre Brown tied it for the Eagles with 4:03 left in the half, catching a five-yard toss from Davis in the back of the end zone. The point after gave the visitors the 7-6 lead at the break.
For the game, Calabrese finished 12-for-30 with 141 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Davis went 21-for-34 for 188 yards and a touchdown. The USM quarterback also rushed for 11 yards on 25 carries.
UCF will now hit the road again to play at Marshall on Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m.
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