Oct. 12, 2012
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Led by senior free safety Kemal Ishmael's selection to the All-America Fourth Team, a total of 11 UCF Knights received accolades from Phil Steele's 2012 midseason teams. On the Midseason All-Conference USA First Team were Ishmael, center Jordan Rae, defensive end Troy Davis and punt returner J.J. Worton.
Phil Steele's College Football Preview is one of the nation's most informative preseason football magazines, and has always released Preseason, Midseason and Postseason All-American teams as well as all-conference teams. For a full list of honors, visit PhilSteele.com.
Ishmael just climbed into UCF's all-time top 10 for tackles last week, as he has 286 for his career. He needs just 36 to tie the school record by a defensive back, set by Jason Venson who had 322 from 2005-08. This year, Ishmael ranks second on the team with 42 tackles, and has one interception and one forced fumble.
Davis has amassed a team-high 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in 2012, while also tying a school record with two forced fumbles vs. FIU. Ishmael, Davis and the rest of the Knights' defense rank first in C-USA in total defense and scoring defense.
Over on the offensive side of the ball, Rae owns a spot on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, which is handed out to the best center in the nation. He has helped UCF place third in the league by giving up just 1.4 sacks per game. Rae has started 22-straight contests, and originally joined the Knights as a freshman walk-on defensive lineman.
Only a sophomore, Worton boasts a 14.5 punt return average, and if the season ended today that would place him in the top-five in UCF single-season history (record is 16.5 by Joe Burnett in 2005). Thanks to Worton and the entire punt return unit, the Knights are first in C-USA and 19th in the country.
Earning Midseason All-C-USA Second Team accolades were quarterback Blake Bortles and left guard Theo Goins. In his first year as a starter, Bortles has UCF first in the league in passing efficiency as he personally owns a 149.76 rating. He is completing 67.5 percent of his passes while tossing 10 touchdowns, compared to six all of 2011. Protecting him up front, Goins has made 10-consecutive starts, and he has 27 overall as a Knight. In the preseason, he was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, given to the nation's top interior lineman.
Rounding out the awards for the Knights were five selections to the third team. On the ground, running back Storm Johnson paces the Knights with 333 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Thomas Niles sits second on the team with 3.0 sacks, while cornerback A.J. Bouye owns 26 tackles with four break-ups and a forced fumble. And on special teams, kick returner Quincy McDuffie took a 99-yarder to the house to spark UCF's comeback win over East Carolina, and placekicker Shawn Moffitt is a perfect 7-for-7 in field goals while leading the Knights in scoring with 38 points.
UCF on Phil Steele's 2012 Midseason All-C-USA Team
First Team
C Jordan Rae
DL Troy Davis
DB Kemal Ishmael - Also Named to the Midseason All-America Fourth Team
PR J.J. Worton
Second Team
QB Blake Bortles
OL Theo Goins
Third Team
RB Storm Johnson
DL Thomas Niles
DB A.J. Bouye
PK Shawn Moffitt
KR Quincy McDuffie
The Knights (3-2, 1-0) are getting ready to host Southern Miss (0-5, 0-1) Saturday at 8 p.m. UCF football single-game tickets start at just $25. Order today by calling the UCF Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com. Attending a UCF football game is a great way to celebrate birthdays, corporate outings or any special occasion. Please ask about group packages today.