Nov. 1, 2010
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF cannot win the conference championship with a win at Houston Friday. UCF cannot clinch the east division of Conference USA with a win at Houston. But don't think for a second that Friday's game is not the next "big game" for the Knights.
With its win over East Carolina, UCF now controls its destiny to win the east. But Friday's showdown with the Cougars gives UCF something else to control. That would be the right to host the league title game. With Southern Miss losing against UAB, UCF can even drop a game and still win the east, but no one wants to think about that. A win at Houston means UCF would have a very clear picture of what it has a chance to do.
More on the Cougars in a moment, but first the leftovers from the win against East Carolina:
Weaver fever: Ronnie Weaver's effort was one of the top performances by a UCF back ever. The 180 yard game was the 15th best in school history. Eighteen of his 30 carries were for five or more yards. His 9-yard run for a score was one to remember. Weaver ran over would-be-tacklers and left Pirate defenders lying all over the field. He went over a 1,000 yards for his career in the game and now may have a shot at 1,000 yards this season.
LT of a UCF kind: Latavius Murray carried the ball seven times on Saturday. Three of those were for touchdowns. In fact, his last three carries were touchdowns. While Ronnie Weaver is a great story in his path to be the player he is, Murray's journey back to UCF and playing a big role in their offense is worth noting. Murray scored two touchdowns in his first ever game as a true freshman. A serious knee injury later and a choice to leave the program before coming back put Murray in the position to win over his coach and players. That battle back is now paying off.
You can't teach speed: Jeff Godfrey's feet are worth the price of admission. He once again extended plays and patiently allowed receivers to get open. He ran when needed and continues to manage the game. But in what is becoming a weekly highlight reel, Godfrey makes defensive linemen wonder how he got away and how fast he really is.
Stats do lie sometimes: UCF's defense played well. I don't care that East Carolina had 421 yards. ECU quarterback Dominique Davis was 39-of-54 for 310 yards. He needed 39 completions to get to 310 yards. While Dwayne Harris broke a tackle for his 76-yard pass play, the longest reception aside from that play was 19 yards. Thirty-one of the 39 completed passes were for 10 yards or less. The Knights did not give up the deep ball and applied enough pressure that the Pirates had to stay short.
Blake Clingan: This is not a joke. We love Blake but anytime he doesn't have to punt in a game means the offense has had a big game. UCF had eight possessions in which they tried to score, and recorded seven touchdowns.
Touchdowns might be aplenty again this week as UCF heads to Houston. In a game that many billed as "the game" in the conference before the season started, still fits the bill as a big game. While observers felt that way before the season because of what UCF did to Houston last year, the feeling was pre-season Heisman candidate Case Keenum would be ready for revenge. Well, Keenum is out with a knee injury but the game remains very big for both teams.
The Cougars are 4-1 in the league and tied with SMU atop the west division. They beat SMU two weeks ago and like UCF, Houston knows a win means they would control destiny to host the league title game.
While Keenum's loss has been significant to Houston, the Cougars' offense is anything but dormant. True freshman David Piland has gotten more comfortable each week and is beginning to look Keenum-like. Piland was 20-of-23 for 292 yards in Houston's 56-17 rout of Memphis this past Saturday.
That's where we begin in our key matchups for the game:
Which true freshman QB wins?: Jeff Godfrey and David Piland are asked to do different things so the question might be unfair. Godfrey has the run ability. Piland has been asked to pass more each week. Godfrey shined in his first true "big" game last week. Now he will be challenged on the road. Meanwhile, Piland and Houston will face their best defense of the season in UCF.
Beall and Edwards vs. UCF's defense: Bryce Beall is Houston's speedy running back who has 12 rushing touchdowns and 638 yards on the ground. Patrick Edwards is one of three Cougar receivers with over 30 receptions. He is averaging 15.2 per catch and has eight touchdowns. The Knights must prevent the big play. Houston's skill players are among the fastest in the league and country. UCF must tackle and not allow those yards-after-catch head coach George O'Leary talks about.
More Weaver fever: The game plan from last year's game still applies. Run the ball. Control the clock and pressure the opposing quarterback. Ronnie Weaver had 30 carries against Marshall and East Carolina and he might equal or better that in this game. Houston is allowing almost 200 yards a game on the ground. In fact, the game plan against East Carolina is likely to follow in this game. UCF passed well and took their shots. Jeff Godfrey was on target on key plays and UCF converted 9-of-11 third downs. That will be a key down in this game.
Win the battle of special teams and field position: Look no further than the ECU game to see what special teams can mean. No different in this game. Houston's Patrick Edwards took a punt back 74 yards at Memphis. Quincy McDuffie and Josh Robinson can be big in this game. Despite the struggles in the field goal department, Nick Cattoi has been superb on kickoffs this season and so has UCF's kick coverage team.
Houston's Kevin Sumlin was a hot coaching candidate after last season and will be again after this season. He has said he is committed to Houston as they have put in place plans to expand their stadium and facilities. The Cougars had won 18 straight home games before Mississippi State won at Robertson Stadium earlier this season. That was Houston's last home game back on Oct. 9. They have played three-straight road games.
Knights notes and more: Big East presidents meet in Philadelphia this week and thoughts on expansion is expected to be a topic. Remember, presidents and not athletic directors will determine what happens and who gets invited if the league wants to grow. Respected Boston Globe college columnist Mark Blaudschun penned a piece last week about what the Big East should do. His first suggestion is for the league to invite UCF. He points out the many reasons we have all mentioned about what UCF offers; television market, recruiting benefits and natural rivalry with that school over there. While the column guarantees nothing, it doesn't hurt to have a major northeast paper's top college writer preaching the Knights to the league's bigwigs...Predictions can be dangerous, but here's one to follow: Isaac Sosa will be among the nation leaders in 3-point shooting this year. Donnie Jones' system of controlled chaos on offense will find Sosa open, which means a lot of triples...Final thought: To the three UCF students who stopped me to talk football Saturday at the stadium and didn't believe I would mention them in my column; Matt, Steve and Ryan, I am a man of my word.
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF-ISP Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts "The Beat of Sports" on ESPN 1080 in Orlando from 9-11 a.m.