Nov. 30, 2009
By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF junior defensive end Bruce Miller (Canton, Ga.) was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for his outstanding performance in UCF's 34-27 win at UAB on Saturday.
It is the second time this year that he has won the honor, making Miller the first Knight ever to be named C-USA's Defensive Player of the Week twice in the same season. Miller was also recognized for his performance in UCF's 21-20 win over Marshall on Nov. 1.
A prime candidate for the league's Defensive Player of the Year honor, Miller continued to add to his C-USA leading totals with 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks of the slippery Joe Webb in UCF's win at UAB. He also broke up a pass and had five total tackles on the day. Both of the sacks were in the second half and the pass breakup was on the second to last play of the game as the Knights held off a late UAB surge. Miller is now seventh in the nation in sacks and 18th in TFLs. The junior's 26 career sacks tie for ninth in C-USA history and fifth in UCF annals.
Miller has been a critical element in C-USA's leading rushing, total and scoring defense. The Knights rank fourth nationally in rushing defense at 82.5 yards per game, trailing only Texas, Alabama and TCU. UCF is attempting to become just the second C-USA team to lead the league in rushing defense two years in a row, joining the 2002-03 TCU Horned Frogs. UCF's 82.5 ypg would be the league's lowest since that 2002 TCU team posted a 64.8 ypg average. The Knights are also tied with Oklahoma for fifth in the nation in sacks and stand 14th in tackles for loss.
The Knights (8-4, 6-2 C-USA) closed the season by winning six consecutive C-USA games, becoming just the second team in league history to start 0-2 in conference play but finish at 6-2, joining the 2006 Rice Owls. With eight victories, the 2009 team ties the 2005 squad for the sixth-winningest season in school history. Now UCF just awaits word on its upcoming bowl game. Once the team knows where it is headed, UCFBowl.com will be your best source to look for ticket, travel and other information so you can head there along with the Knights.
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.