June 13, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A rematch of the 2010 Conference USA Championship Game is on tap for Oct. 15 when UCF travels to Dallas to meet host SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Last December, the Knights held off SMU, 17-7, at Bright House Networks Stadium to claim the league title.
A year ago, the Mustangs went 7-7 and participated in the Armed Forces Bowl in Dallas, where they fell to Army, 16-14. Head coach June Jones' squad posted a 6-2 mark in C-USA play, winning the conference's West Division title. SMU also had a signature win in non-league action, defeating visiting Washington State, 35-21, behind four touchdown passes from Kyle Padron.
The Knights are 3-0 all-time against the Mustangs, and the schools will be playing in Dallas for the second time. Defense was the key for UCF last year when the teams met in the league championship game. SMU entered the game with a high-powered offense, but was limited to just 97 yards on the ground and a season-low seven points. On offense, UCF was led by Latavius Murray, who carried the ball 20 times for 94 yards with one score.
Offensive Player to Watch
Junior tailback Zach Line had a breakout season for the Mustangs in 2010. The stocky Michigan native rushed for 1,494 yards, good for 11th nationally, and totaled 10 touchdowns. A receiving threat, he caught 17 passes out of the backfield for 163 yards. Line, who averaged 6.1 yards per carry, was an All-C-USA First Team selection.
Defensive Player to Watch
A playmaker on defense, linebacker Ja'Gared Davis earned All-C-USA First Team recognition last year. He totaled 90 tackles, including 62 solo stops. Davis recorded nine sacks and 16 tackles-for-loss. He began his sophomore season by registering a sack in the first six contests of the season.
Connections
The Mustangs have a pair of Floridians on their roster, but Theo Goins (Houston) is the lone Texan on the UCF squad. SMU's director of athletics, Steve Orsini, held the same post at UCF from 2002-06.
Oddball
Since joining C-USA in 2005, the Knights have played seven games in Texas, going 4-3. On only one occasion (2009 vs. Rice and Texas) has UCF competed twice in the same year in the Lone Star State. The game at SMU will serve as the squad's only trip to Texas in 2011.
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.