April 6, 2011
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By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF football, the defending Conference USA and AutoZone Liberty Bowl champions, had two of its student-athletes, Quincy McDuffie and Josh Robinson, earn recognition today as NationalChamps.net unveiled the first preseason All-American team nationally for 2011.
McDuffie was named to the third team as a kick returner. Robinson earned honorable mention All-America both as a defensive back and as a punt returner for the Knights who aim to build upon a 2010 season which saw the team end the year ranked an all-time best No. 20 in the USA Today coaches poll and No. 21 in the AP poll.
McDuffie ranked second in the nation in 2010 averaging 32.19 yards per return, including two touchdowns and was named to several All-America squads. The Edgewater High School graduate returned a kickoff back 93 yards for a touchdown against NC State on Sept. 11 and, with the Knights looking for an early spark on the road, ran back the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown against Tulane on Nov. 20 at the Louisiana Superdome. With three career kickoff return touchdowns, the speedy rising junior stands just one shy of the UCF career record of four. Behind McDuffie, UCF led the nation in kickoff returns last year averaging 27.78 yards. That field position was crucial as the Knights won a school-record 11 games last fall
Robinson took over the punt return duties at midseason and took off running, finishing the year ranked ninth in the nation averaging 15.2 yards per return. He was also a key part of UCF's secondary which helped the Knights lead Conference USA in total defense for the third consecutive year in 2010. He was second to Kemal Ishmael in the UCF secondary with his 59 tackles while being credited with a team-high 13 pass breakups and snagging a pair of interceptions. Robinson tied for 12th in the nation in passes defended after ranking 28th nationally in that category in 2009 when he was named a Freshman All-American. Robinson also returned a fumble 56 yards for a touchdown against UAB in 2010.
Fans can catch a glimpse at both McDuffie and Robinson on April 16 at the UCF Spring Football Festival and its centerpiece Spring Game at 2p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium. Tickets for the Spring Game are $5, children 12 and under and current UCF students are FREE. Parking for the UCF Football Spring Festival is also FREE, right next to the stadium in the Gold Zone "E" lots, beginning at 8 a.m. Purchase your tickets in advance today by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000; online at UCFAthletics.com; or in-person at the Bright House Networks Stadium box office.
2011 UCF Football season ticket packages can be purchased or renewed online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. Home games include:
? Sept. 3: Charleston Southern [Champions UKNIGHT]
? Sept. 10: Boston College [Family Weekend - Families UKNIGHT; UCF Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend]
? Oct. 8: Marshall [UKNIGHT in Pink]
? Oct. 29: Memphis [Alumni UKNIGHT - Homecoming 2011 )
? Nov. 5: Tulsa [Future Knights UKNIGHT - Youth sponsored events]
? Nov. 26: UTEP [Thanksgiving UKNIGHT - Senior Day]
? Should UCF host the C-USA Championship Game for the fourth time in seven years, it would be played on Saturday, Dec. 3 and season ticket holders will receive the first shot at the best seats.
UKNIGHT WITH UCF FOOTBALL IN 2011!
? 2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl champions
? Top 20 ranking and a program-best 11 wins in 2010
? Two-time Conference USA champions (2007 & 2010)
? Three-time Conference USA East Division champions (2005, 2007 & 2010)
? Four bowl appearances since 2005
? Led by three-time C-USA Coach of the Year George O'Leary
? Over a dozen UCF Knights appeared on NFL rosters in 2010