Dec. 27, 2010
="" alt="Knight Head" border="0" class="imported"> Read the Knights Insider | ="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported">Follow us on Twitter | ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported">Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - For some it will be the final time they put on a uniform. For others, there will be a chance to play at the next level. But for the group of seniors playing their final game as a UCF Knight, it will be a moment to remember.
The class that came in together and became conference champions will leave as conference champions and their mark on the program will be forever written in the UCF football history book.
Together, they have won 32 games, two conference titles and will play in their third bowl game. They witnessed the opening of Bright House Networks Stadium. They saw UCF beat its first ranked opponent and they were part of the first UCF team to ever be nationally ranked.
Bruce Miller, the freckled faced kid, represents what this senior class is all about. They were told by many other schools, they were too slow, too small, had too few stars in recruiting rankings and even told they were just not good enough. Miller plays his final game as a Knight as the league's two-time defensive player of the year. He remembers Sept. 1, 2007.
"I do recall coming out of the tunnel at NC State and I was excited to just be playing a college football game," said Miller. "And now I look around and see all of us at the end of our careers here and think of all the great memories."
That night Miller, Derrick Hallman, Lawrence Young and the other freshmen saw UCF upset NC State in Raleigh, 25-23. That win would begin the magical ride to a conference title season and trip to the Liberty Bowl.
"Three years later, you appreciate the journey to win a conference title," said Derrick Hallman. "When you win the first as a freshman you think you are going to win it every year, but it's not that easy."
No, things have not been that easy for this class of seniors. Too many close calls in those games against BCS opponents like Texas, USF, Miami and Kansas State. But this group also posted a 23-9 mark in conference games. It either won or shared the east division title in three of their four years.
"I think this group of seniors was special because of the way they handled themselves on and off the field," said George O'Leary. "You didn't have to yell much because the seniors let the other players know there is a way we do things around here and this is how you do it."
O'Leary has always stated you are as good as your senior class. And he points out that just about every senior is playing a role and that's what you need from a senior class.
"You wish you can find guys like a Bruce Miller or Derrick Hallman every year," said O'Leary. "But they don't come around that often. But you hope the younger players realize how big an impact those guys have been and they want to be the next Miller or Hallman."
With much attention going to the defensive seniors for their outstanding play, the performance of wideouts Kamar Aiken, Jamar Newsome and Brian Watters should go overlooked. Each played big roles in UCF's offensive growth over the last four seasons. Newsome has perhaps advanced more than anyone and may have a chance to play on Sundays.
"I think Jamar really raised his game this season and has a chance," said O'Leary. "He made big catches and was a big part of our return game as well." As good as this class has been there has been one thing missing from their goals. Friday's AutoZone Liberty Bowl gives the group one last shot. That goal has been to win a bowl game.
"There is no better way to end our careers at UCF then to give the school its first ever bowl win," said Miller. "It would mean so much to everyone to end it that way."
It will not be easy as UCF faces a dangerous Georgia team that went 5-2 in its final seven games. Yet the game might be the perfect test. The group of seniors will get the stage against a historic SEC program looking to jumpstart its 2011 season with a win. UCF's outgoing class has a chance for their own historic win and a chance to leave their mark as the most successful class ever in the program, one that will forever be remembered for what it did in building UCF football history.
Knights notes and more: MVP vote for UCF's basketball win at UMass goes to team trainer Andy Reber. What did he do? He helped Marcus Jordan get his ankle to a point the sophomore was ready to play in the second half. Reber was also busy dealing with injuries to David Diakite, P.J. Gaynor and Isaiah Sykes during the game. Additional shout out to Andy's parents who made a five hour drive to support the Knights as well...One other note about what others think of UCF's start in hoops. UMass players, coaches and fans seemed pleased their team played a close game against a ranked team. When your opponents talk about moral victories against your team, you have earned respect...Final thought: When they say "If you don't like it, I can take it back." It usually means you won't like it.
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 Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts "The Beat of Sports" on ESPN 1080 in Orlando from 9-11 a.m.