May 23, 2011
="" alt="Knight Head" border="0" class="imported"> Read John Denton's 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 Josh Molino
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF travels south for the third contest of the 2011 season to take on Sunshine State foe Florida International at FIU Stadium in Miami on Sept. 17. Both football programs are fresh off their best seasons in history highlighted by their first bowl victories.
UCF defeated Georgia in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, while FIU took care of Toledo in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
UCF is 16-11 all-time against Sun Belt Conference opponents with the most recent victory coming against Louisiana-Lafayette, 37-19, in 2007. This marks the first meeting between FIU and UCF. The Knights are 14-15 all-time against schools from Florida.
The Golden Panthers got off to a rough start in 2010, losing their first four contests. Games against Rutgers, Texas A&M, Maryland and Pittsburgh to start the season were a measuring stick for FIU heading into conference play. Finishing the season at 6-2 in the Sun Belt and 7-6 overall, the Golden Panthers were conference co-champions with Troy, but held the head-to-head advantage with a 52-35 victory over the Trojans. Leading the school to its first bowl victory, head coach Mario Cristobal was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year.
Offensive Player to Watch
Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year wide receiver T.Y. Hilton will be a handful for the Knights' secondary and special teams units. The senior playmaker is a threat not just lining up as a wideout, but also returning punts and kickoffs. The Miami Springs native earned All-Sun Belt First Team honors as a return specialist last season. In the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, Hilton returned a second-half punt for a touchdown and connected on a hook-and-ladder play on fourth and 17 to help set up the game-winning field goal. Hilton finished the season with 2,089 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defensive Player to Watch
Defensive back Jonathan Cyprien led FIU in tackles last season, accumulating 113, including 63 solo. Cyprien played in all 13 games, had one interception, seven pass break-ups and three forced fumbles. The North Miami Beach High alum was named to the All-Sun Belt Second Team and looks to be the leader of the defense.
Connections
Former UCF linebackers coach Geoff Collins departed FIU to become Mississippi State's co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in the offseason. Todd Orlando will replace Collins as the defensive coordinator this fall.
Oddball
FIU is 1-15 all-time against schools from Florida with the lone victory coming against Jacksonville in its inaugural season of 2002. The Knights and Golden Panthers are scheduled to play four games over the next four years, beginning this season and finishing in 2014.
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 Charleston Southern [Champions UKNIGHT (Sept. 3)], Boston College [Hall of Fame Weekend (Sept. 10)], Marshall (Oct. 8), Memphis [Alumni UKNIGHT - Homecoming 2011 (Oct. 29)], Tulsa (Nov. 5) and UTEP [Senior Day (Nov. 26)]. 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.