Nov. 21, 2010
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - I am not afraid to admit it was fun to watch UCF score early and often and roll to a blowout win in New Orleans against Tulane. It was the perfect game for the Knights after the loss to Southern Miss. Quincy McDuffie started the scoring and Jordan Ozerites finished it with an NCAA record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. But now comes the next step.
UCF moves closer to its goal of winning a conference title with the Tulane win and now turns its attention to the final week of the season. By the time UCF takes the field at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis it may know if it has already won the Conference East Division and it may also know who it would be hosting in the conference championship.
UCF's weekend begins Friday with eyes on two conference games. At 2 p.m. Friday, SMU plays at East Carolina. The Pirates have been eliminated from the east race after losing to Rice and picking up a second league loss. However, SMU has much to play for. The Mustangs can win the west by winning in Greenville, where ECU has lost just once this season.
SMU can still win the division with a loss, if Tulsa loses to Southern Miss in a game that begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Southern Miss knows it is alive in the east and certainly will be motivated for the game knowing a win forces UCF to win at Memphis. Tulsa may take the field with no chance to win the west if SMU wins earlier in the day. But should the Mustangs fall, the Golden Hurricane would be playing for the division needing a win. Get all that?
If Tulsa beats Southern Miss, UCF wins the east before taking the field Saturday at Memphis. UCF will also know who their opponent would be in the title game before playing the Tigers as well.
But most of that will not matter to George O'Leary. He knows how important it is for his Knights to keep the foot on the gas pedal. UCF takes the field Saturday focused on playing well and taking care of business whether or not the east has been won or not.
Before we get to the matchup with Memphis, some leftovers from New Orleans:
UCF Fans: The Black and Gold Nation easily outnumbered Tulane fans at the game. They were loud and proud and after Quincy McDuffie took the opening kick back for a touchdown. The PA system then blasted "Zombie Nation" after the return. Um, not sure how smart that was for the Tulane team and their fan. I did mean to type fan.
Special Teams: McDuffie's return started it but the special teams were super all day. Kick coverage was superb and Jordan Ozerites was all over the field on special teams before he got the pick at the end of the game. And big shout out for Nick Cattoi. He nailed two field goals and his 47 yarder late has to be a big confidence boost for him.
LaTavius Murray and Ronnie Weaver: LT was awesome. His 46-yard run was a sign of speed and power. And if you want to see an example of how to use a stiff arm for a big run, check out Ronnie Weaver's 29 yard score in the first quarter.
So close: The UCF defense did not record a sack, but there was pressure. Bruce Miller was milliseconds from his record-breaking sack but the ball got away. Darius Nall, Troy Davis and David Williams got heat all day and the pressure forced Tulane quarterbacks to get rid of the ball early.
Penalties: Sorry, can't be all good for a moment. UCF has been flagged 21 times in the last two games, which is more than half the amount called on the team in the first eight games of the year. The Knights have to clean it up because it can't cost you in a title or bowl game.
Speaking of bowls, the Liberty Bowl awaits the Knights this week. Memphis is struggling at 1-10 under new coach Larry Porter, who is a Memphis alum and served as LSU's assistant head coach and running backs coach the last five years. The Tigers only win came back in September when they beat Middle Tennessee State, 24-17. They dropped a 16-13 game at UTEP the following week. Since then, the Tigers have lost games by 41, 56, 22, 39, 36, 15 and 16 points. But UCF cannot take anything for granted. With that in mind, here are the keys to the game:
Stay focused: It sounds simple and it is. No matter what happens in league play on Friday, UCF must come focused to play another solid game. Even if the east is wrapped up and the Knights know their opponent in the title game, UCF needs to play solid and not lose any momentum. The crowd at the Liberty Bowl might be less than Tulane, so UCF cannot get caught up in the lack of atmosphere.
Run, run and maybe pass: UCF ran on 43 of its 58 offensive plays at Tulane. They totaled 282 yards on the ground. With Murray, Weaver and Jeff Godfrey able to get yards, UCF should move the ball on the ground in this game. But the pass may not be a bad option. Memphis is allowing 292.1 yards per game through the air. The Tigers have given up 36 touchdown passes. I could give you how that ranks in the nation, but trust me on this one...it's not good.
Win the first quarter: UCF has outscored opponents 117-20 in the first quarter. Memphis has been outscored 117-35 in the first quarter.
Finish the job: Friday's results should not matter, UCF needs a solid game to keep the mojo going. The Knights are 27th in this week's coaches poll. Another big game and it's possible to get back into the Top 25 after a one week absence.
Knights notes and more: Lots of rumors about whether the C-USA champion will go to the Liberty Bowl based on eligible bowl teams from the SEC. Much of it is just that, a rumor. First, UCF needs to focus on doing its job on the field. But let's hope a possible 6-6 SEC team does not get to dictate their opponent with a 10-3 conference champion ranked in the Top 25 available...Before the UCF-USF basketball game last week, a fan asked me the difference between the two programs. My answer? A vote among BIG EAST presidents. USF's combined attendance in its first two home games barely topped UCF's crowd for their opener against West Florida. And for those who say it's different when the Bulls play BIG EAST powers. Check out that 5,370 announced crowd for nationally-ranked Pitt last season...Kudos to Bryan Cunningham's men's soccer team. Cunningham has quickly built the Knights into one of the better programs in not just C-USA, but in the entire south...If going to Memphis for the game, it's Corky's or Rendezvous for BBQ and ribs. My suggestion...both. Try one Friday night and the other after the game...Final Thought: What is that noise inside the can of evaporated milk?
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.