Sept. 24, 2009
Knights Football Central
UCF Game Notes
Purchase Tickets
UCF at East Carolina
Saturday, Sept. 26 ? Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium ? 3:30 p.m.
Television: Bright House Sports Network ? Patrick Kinas (play-by-play), Billy Weaver (color), Brian Meador (sidelines)
Radio: UCF ISP Sports Radio Network ? Marc Daniels (play-by-play), Gary Parris (color), Jerry O'Neill (sideline reporter), Scott Adams (reporter)
WYGM 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, video and statistics at UCFAthletics.com
When UCF (2-1, 0-1 C-USA) has the ball
The Knights' first drive of last week's game against Buffalo resulted in a touchdown. After being slowed the rest of the first half, UCF's offense was able to rally back to score 16 second-half points to win, 23-17. Coming off his first start for UCF, quarterback Brett Hodges will again lead the Knights Saturday in a C-USA showdown with East Carolina. Hodges completed 40-of-63 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns this season. The quarterback will be looking for his favorite targets in receivers Rocky Ross (12 catches, 164 yards, one touchdown), Jamar Newsome (10 catches, 73 yards, one touchdown) and Kamar Aiken (nine catches, 148 yards, one touchdown). On the ground, running back Brynn Harvey has led the Knights' rushing attack, having rushed 70 times for a team-high 246 yards and four touchdowns in UCF's first three games.
Defensively, East Carolina is led by senior defensive back Van Eskridge (26 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss), senior linebacker Jeremy Chambliss (25 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss) and senior linebacker Nick Johnson (19 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss). Through the first three games, the Pirates have given up 1,188 yards of total offense, recovered four fumbles and intercepted two passes.
When ECU (1-2, 0-0 C-USA) has the ball
ECU's offense is led by sixth year quarterback Patrick Pinkney, who ranks fourth all-time for ECU in completions (391) and fifth all-time in passing yards (4,496). The quarterback completed 19-of-30 passes for 157 yards and one touchdown in ECU's 31-17 loss to No. 19 North Carolina last week. Pirates' wide receiver Dwayne Harris has hauled in 12 passes for 117 yards through this season. The junior has caught 96 passes for 1,017 yards in his career, which ranks tenth all-time for ECU in career pass receptions. ECU's running game is paced by senior running back Dominique Lindsay. Lindsay, who is doubtful for this weekend's game (shoulder), has rushed 23 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
UCF's defense looks to carry over their second-half performance from last week in which it held Buffalo scoreless. The Knights are led by linebacker Cory Hogue (24 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss), linebacker Lawrence Young (22 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack) and defensive end Jarvis Geathers (4.0 sacks, 5.0 tackles-for-loss).
Did you know?
This will be the second-consecutive week that UCF will face a defending conference champion. ECU was the 2008 C-USA East Division and Conference champion ... Geathers is ranked seventh in the nation in sacks ... Kicker Nick Cattoi is a perfect 5-of-5 on field goal tries. Three field goals have been from over 40 yards; including two in the second half against Buffalo ... Hodges is the ninth quarterback to start at UCF since the Knights joined the Football Bowl Subdivision. After the win against Buffalo, he became the fourth UCF quarterback to win in his first start ... East Carolina leads the all-time series 7-1.
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.