Nov. 24, 2012
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Jessica West
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - As Knights fans poured into the stadium for UCF's regular season finale against UAB, little did they know they would witness a part of UCF history. With the 49-24 win, the football team is now four-time C-USA East Division champions, and the Knights will play the C-USA Championship Game on the road at Tulsa on Dec. 1 at noon ET.
Prior to the kickoff, the 20 seniors were honored with their families before the senior class ultimately clinched its 33rd win to tie the school record for the most victories over a four-year stretch (2009-12).
Seniors A.J. Bouye, Jonathan Davis, Lyle Dankenbring, Kemal Ishmael, Quincy McDuffie and Cam Henderson all had big plays in the 49-24 win over UAB.
On the Blazers' first drive of the game, Davis forced a pivotal fumble on the 1-yard line that was recovered by Bouye for a touchback. The Knights continued to hold UAB scoreless until halfway through the second quarter. Dankenbring had a 78-yard interception for a touchdown, which was the fifth-longest interception for a touchdown in school history.
Fellow safety Ishmael is tied for fifth in all-time tackles at 346 after his 10 tackles, including his first-career sack against the Blazers.
Scoring three of the Knights' seven touchdowns was McDuffie, who posted a career high for rushing touchdowns in a game. Lastly, Henderson had a huge sack during the first quarter, marking his second-career sack.
The day capped four memorable years for the senior class, which has already produced 11 graduates. The Knights tie for third in the nation for the highest number of current football players with degrees.
The college football experience has not only been great for the players but also for the fans.
"Football has always been a part of my UCF experience," said senior Melissa Lorenzo, a communication sciences and disorders major. "For the first three years I was part of the UCF Marching Band and this gave me the chance to be involved and meet new people. I was not just another student watching the game, I was part of gameday."
Other UCF fans in attendance included recent grad Rachel Bowen. Bowen was a business management major on the entrepreneurship track and graduated in August.
"During my time at UCF, I did not tailgate or attend games much, but it has become a much bigger part of my alumni experience," Bowen said.