John Denton's Knights Insider: Knights to Watch in 2011John Denton's Knights Insider: Knights to Watch in 2011

John Denton's Knights Insider: Knights to Watch in 2011

June 16, 2011

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By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com

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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The 2011 football season is quickly approaching. The Knights open the campaign on Sept. 3, hosting Charleston Southern at Bright House Networks Stadium.

Before the year gets underway, UCFAthletics.com's John Denton will take a look at various players to watch this season.

PLAYER: Latavius Murray

POSITION: Tailback

HEIGHT, WEIGHT, CLASS: 6-3, 221, Junior

HOMETOWN: Nedrow, N.Y.

BEST ON-FIELD TRAITS: Murray has all of the prototypical talents of a star tailback, combining size, speed, power and agility. He rebounded from a serious knee injury and seems to continue to get better each year, adding pass-catching skills to his arsenal now.

2010 STATISTICS: Murray ran for 544 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while averaging almost six yards a carry. He gashed Tulane for 146 yards and a 46-yard touchdown burst in his first career start at tailback. He used his size and agility to score three touchdowns against East Carolina. He had a rushing TD and a receiving TD in the Conference USA title game to win the MVP award. And in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Georgia, he ran for 104 yards and scored arguably the biggest touchdown in school history - a 10-yard run with 9:01 to play - to pave the way for UCF's 10-6 victory.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: No player was more responsible for UCF's late-season push last year than Murray, who rose from third on the depth chart to a stellar, workhorse tailback for the Knights. At 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds, he has the size to be the kind of battering-ram back that head coach George O'Leary prefers. He also has dynamic speed as he showed on several occasions when he hit the open field and ran away from defensive backs. With a year of experience under his belt and two years removed from knee surgery, Murray could be poised for a monster season for the Knights.

WHERE HE'S BETTER: Offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe is determined to get Murray more involved in the pass game and he certainly has the skills. He is a natural at catching the ball out of the backfield with his soft hands and nifty footwork. He was quite impressive in the spring, hauling in several one-handed receptions. With a young receiving corps returning, Murray could very well become one of Knights top receiving threats this season. Also, he won't have to shoulder the entire load at tailback because of the depth UCF has with Brynn Harvey and Ronnie Weaver returning.

UCF 2011 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.