Sept. 16, 2011
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Since some notable schools in the Sunshine State are not interested in scheduling any games with the Knights, UCF will play its closest road game of the year Saturday against FIU at FIU Stadium. So with that, let the feast begin.
"Deuce" to get loose on familiar grounds - Jeff Godfrey is very familiar with the field he will play on Saturday. At Miami Central, Godfrey and many other south Florida players on the UCF roster played numerous high school games at this stadium. Do not underestimate how important this homecoming is for Jeff and his teammates. George O'Leary has tried to downplay the fact that so many of his players get to play in front of family and friends, but this will be a special night for Godfrey and he will be ready to play. Last week, BC defenders had a hard time finding the UCF quarterback when he ran the option. Don't be surprised to see another heavy dose against FIU's defense.
Win the TOP - UCF is +4:25 in time of possession after two games. It is a stat George O'Leary likes to dominate and he will look to do the same in this game. Latavius Murray ran hard and was effective against BC and the Knights may look to pound the ball against the Panthers. The Panthers have allowed just 90 yards per game on the ground in the first two games, but UCF will be the best offensive front they have seen.
Hilton vs. Robinson is a matchup to watch - FIU star receiver T.Y. Hilton is among the nation's best. Hilton is fast and can turn a small play into a big gainer. FIU will move him around from wide to slot positions and get the ball to him quickly. Josh Robinson is one of the best cover corners in the country. Watch closely on Saturday night, it will not matter where Hilton lines up, Robinson will be across from him. If FIU moves Hilton to a slot position, Robinson will be waiting. It is a great one-on-one matchup and one that Robinson has been waiting for.
Avoid the early mistake - FIU will have its largest crowd, thanks to UCF fans who will be out in masse, and the environment will be electric. UCF must avoid an early turnover or give up a big play. It will give FIU more juice on already charged night. If the Knights can set a tone early and jump out to a lead it could go a long way in getting a win.
Knights notes and more: UCF seeks its first 3-0 start since 1988 when the team started 5-0...It's the first 2-0 vs. 2-0 game for UCF since it played top ranked Florida State back in 1995...UCF and FIU have over 100,000 students when you combine both enrollments...FIU will expand its stadium after this current season with plans to get to 45,000...After winning the Sun Belt last season, FIU has goals of moving to a bigger league and the buzz is the Panthers have expressed a desire to join Conference USA...FIU Head Coach Mario Cristobal was an All-Big East offensive tackle at Miami and before getting the top job for the Panthers he was an assistant at Rutgers...With FIU's win over Louisville last week, the Panthers seek the first season with two non-conference wins...FIU and North Texas are the only two Sun Belt teams that UCF has never played...By now most of you know there were no single game tickets sold. UCF fans had to buy season ticket packages to get a seat. Duke plays at FIU next, maybe you can exchange Duke-UNC hoops tickets. Maybe not...If you are going to the game, you can listen to our radio broadcast on WMEN 640 AM in south Florida...Final thought: I recently moved to a new place and now have two squirrels who live in tree outside my house, a woodchuck in the other tree, a red robin in that same tree and a family of ducks in the corner of the yard. Every morning I leave the house feeling like the Lion King.