Nov. 1, 2010
Friday, Nov. 5 - Robertson Stadium - 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN 2
Radio: Radio: UCF-ISP Sports Radio Network- Marc Daniels (play-by-play), Mike Gruttadauria (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 at UCFAthletics.com
When UCF (6-2, 4-0) has the ball:
UCF took an enormous step forward towards their season goal of winning a conference championship after defeating ECU, 49-35, on Saturday at Bright House Networks Stadium. The win puts UCF in the driver's seat in the East Division of C-USA as it looks to continue its impressive play at Houston this Friday on ESPN2. The Knights' rushing attack proved to be the lethal factor against the Pirates as they got into the end zone on five occasions, racking up a game-high 275 rushing yards and 424 total yards of offense in the process. Ronnie Weaver rushed for a career-high 180 yards and two touchdowns against the Pirates, while back-up tailback Latavius Murray pitched in with 47 yards on the ground and a career-high three rushing touchdowns. Jeff Godfrey established his presence early against ECU throwing touchdown passes to A.J. Guyton (eight yards) and Kamar Aiken (40 yards) on UCF's first two possessions. Godfrey finished the contest 8-of-12 for 159 yards, two touchdown passes and 43 rushing yards. UCF's ground game is averaging 199.9 yards per contest and will face a Houston defense that is giving up an average of 194.2 rushing yards per game. The Cougars allowed Memphis to slice them for 229 rushing yards last week in their 56-17 routing of the Tigers. Houston is allowing opponents to average 28 points per contest and 391 total yards of offense per game.
When Houston (5-3, 4-1) has the ball:
Houston will look to avenge a 37-32 loss to the Knights in 2009, but has been riddled with key season-ending injuries to 2009 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Case Keenum and backup quarterback Cotton Turner. True freshman David Piland has answered the call for the Cougars, and will look to build on an impressive performance against the Memphis Tigers. Piland went 20-of-23 passing for 292 yards and threw for a career-high five touchdown passes. The Cougars' offense has drawn similar characteristics with UCF's offense. Piland has thrown for 1,108 yards and has accounted for 11 touchdowns in his freshman campaign, while Godfrey has thrown for 1,006 yards and has accounted for nine touchdowns. Houston tailback Bryce Beall has rushed for 638 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, while Ronnie Weaver has also rushed for 638 yards with 10 scores on the season. The Cougars are rolling up an average of 468 total yards of offense a game and are averaging 41.6 points per contest which ranks eighth nationally. Houston will face one of the best defenses it has seen all season when the Knights come to town. The Knights' defense leads C-USA in all five major defensive categories, and also ranks in the top 15 nationally in each category which includes rushing (13th), passing (15th), total defense (ninth), passing efficiency (12th) and scoring defense (11th). The Knights' passing defense (15th) will look to contain a Cougar offense that is averaging 299.3 passing yards a game which ranks 13th nationally.
Did you know?
With Ronnie Weaver rushing for 10 touchdowns, and Jeff Godfrey and Latavius Murray each having five, this season marks the first time in school history that the Knights have had three different players rush for at least five touchdowns in the same season...The Knights have now rushed for 24 touchdowns in eight games this year which is the third-most all-time in school history behind 2007 (41) and 1990 (36)...Latavius Murray's five touchdowns are the most by a backup running back sine 2005 (Jason Peters). With one more score, Murray would tie UCF's FBS record for most rushing TDs by a backup running back (Mike Grant had six in 1996)...UCF senior punter Blake Clingan did not even have to put on his uniform in the 49-35 win over ECU as UCF never had to punt vs. the Pirates, which was the first time that happened since 1998 vs. Liberty...The Knights have put together a four-game winning streak for the first time since 2007 when it won seven in a row.