Oct. 1, 2009
Knights Football Central
UCF Game Notes
Purchase Tickets
Gameday Information
Memphis at UCF sponsored by Howl-O-Scream
Saturday, Oct. 3 ? Bright House Networks Stadium ? 3:30 p.m.
Television: Bright House Sports Network ? Drew Fellios (play-by-play), Mark Royals (color), Dave Baumann (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 (2-2, 0-2 C-USA) has the ball
The Knights' offense is coming off one of their best passing games since 2007. Last week, quarterback Brett Hodges completed 21-of-34 passes for 266 yards. However, Hodges tossed four interceptions in the 19-14 loss against East Carolina, including an interception with less than a minute to play in the game. Hodges is the team's starter for this weekend's game, but head coach George O'Leary stated in his weekly press conference that quarterback Rob Calabrese will see time in an effort to further season and develop the true sophomore. Running back Brynn Harvey (86 rushes, 117 yards, five touchdowns) still continues to lead the Knights' running game. Harvey currently leads the team in averaging 21.5 rushes per game and 79.2 yards per game. The offense will again look to their veteran wide receivers to lead the passing attack. Wide receivers Rocky Ross (17 catches, 220 yards, one touchdown), Kamar Aiken (11 catches, 198 yards, two touchdowns) and A.J. Guyton (11 catches, 143 yards) will be a few of Hodges' main targets. Both Aiken and wide receiver Jamar Newsome will see action this weekend, even though the two went out with injuries in last week's game.
The Tigers' defense is led by senior defensive back D.A. Griffin (24 tackles, 19 solo, five assisted), senior linebacker Greg Jackson (24 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack) and junior defensive back Darius Davis (24 tackles, one TFL, one interception)
When Memphis (1-3, 0-1 C-USA) has the ball
Memphis dropped its C-USA opener last week to Marshall, 27-16. After accounting for five touchdowns the previous week against UT-Martin, sophomore quarterback Tyler Bass threw for 232 yards and one touchdown against the Thundering Herd. Bass (43-66, 558 yards, five touchdowns) looks to two main targets, both with exemplary height, when resorting to the pass. Wide receivers Duke Calhoun (23 catches, 395 yards, two touchdowns) and Carlos Singleton (11 catches, 174 yards, two touchdowns) are 6-4 and 6-9 respectively. Running back T.J. Pitts, along with Bass, has paced the Tigers' rushing attack. Pitts has rushed 34 times for 148 yards and Bass has added 35 rushes for 161 yards and one touchdown. Running back Curtis Steele has also given Memphis three rushing touchdowns on the season.
UCF's defense will again look to the experience of its front seven to pressure Memphis' passing attack, and not allow the Tigers' quarterback to toss it up to their tall targets on the outside. The Knights' defense is led by linebacker Lawrence Young (34 tackles, six TFLs, one sack), defensive back Derrick Hallman (34 tackles, two TFLs, one interception) and linebacker Cory Hogue (33 tackles, 2.5 TFLs). The Knights' defense currently has the C-USA leaders in both sacks (Jarvis Geathers, 4.0) and TFLs (Young).
Did you know?
UCF is 4-1 all-time against the Tigers, with a perfect 4-0 record against them since joining C-USA ... The Knights have a 10-5 record all-time at Bright House Networks Stadium, and is 6-3 against C-USA opponents ... UCF ranks 10th in the nation in TFLs with 32 ... A.J. Guyton had nine receptions in the loss against ECU, which tied for the most by a Knight since the 2006 season ... Saturday's game will be O'Leary's 67th as head coach, which surpasses Mike Kruczek (66 games) for second all-time. Gene McDowell holds the all-time leading record of 127 games as the Knights' head coach.
For all 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.