June 28, 2013
="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported"> ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported"> UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - It was pretty clear how much of a threat UCF football would be in Conference USA in the Knights' very first season in the league. Making its debut in 2005, UCF ultimately went on to host the C-USA Championship Game in front of 51,978 fans and earn its first bowl berth in school history.
Since that 2005 campaign, there have been several memorable moments for the Black and Gold. Before UCF enters its first year in the American Athletic Conference, UCFAthletics.com reflects on some of those C-USA games.
Some of the Best Moments and Games Against C-USA Programs Want to check out some of the best plays in the C-USA-era? Visit this top-10 list on the - Inside UCF Football page on YouTube.
-Sept. 24, 2005 - vs. Marshall - In game No. 1 in UCF's C-USA history, it started a streak of eight-straight victories over Marshall with a 23-13 victory at the Florida Citrus Bowl. It was the Knights' first win overall since 2003, leading to UCF students tearing down the goal post in the south end zone.
-Nov. 5, 2005 - vs. Houston - The Knights became bowl eligible in dramatic fashion. UCF led 31-22 with less than seven minutes remaining before the Cougars cut it to 31-29 and stopped the home team on fourth down near midfield with 1:29 left. But the defense stood its ground as Paul Carrington sacked Kevin Kolb, who then threw three-straight incompletions to secure the UCF win.
-Nov. 19, 2005 & Dec. 3, 2005 - at Rice and vs. Tulsa - Having already accomplished its goal of being bowl eligible, UCF took it to the next level by securing home-field advantage for the inaugural C-USA Championship Game thanks to a nail-biting 31-28 win at Rice. After Brandon Marshall pulled in an 18-yard touchdown pass for the 3-point lead with 1:25 remaining, Joe Burnett intercepted a Rice pass with 27 seconds on the clock to keep the celebration going. When the Knights returned to Orlando, several UCF fans greeted the team buses at the Wayne Densch Sports Center. The positive vibes would not stop, as more than 50,000 stormed the Florida Citrus Bowl for the title game against Tulsa.
-Dec. 1, 2007 - vs. Tulsa - Backed by running back Kevin Smith and one of the greatest rushing seasons in NCAA history, UCF won its final six games of the regular season to receive hosting duties yet again for the C-USA Championship Game. Looking for revenge, the Knights thumped Tulsa 44-25, with Smith rushing for 284 yards to move into second place on the NCAA single-season rushing list behind only Barry Sanders. It would be the first of two C-USA titles.
-Nov. 1, 2009 - vs. Marshall - On a Sunday night on ESPN, UCF trailed Marshall 20-7 until Brynn Harvey's 2-yard run with 7:51 to go. The Knights would get the ball back with 6:12 left only to watch as the Thundering Herd halted UCF on fourth down inside the redzone at the 2:40 mark. Marshall took over and after a 4-yard rush, the Knights called their second timeout before committing an offside penalty. On 2-and-1, Brian Anderson took the snap and rushed across the first-down marker, which would have virtually sealed the game for the Herd. But Bruce Miller stripped Anderson and Josh Robinson recovered, setting up a Brett Hodges to Rocky Ross 1-yard touchdown pass with 23 ticks showing on the clock, locking down a 21-20 victory.
-Nov. 14, 2009 - vs. Houston - Two weeks after the stunning win over Marshall, UCF trailed No. 12 Houston 17-3 until storming back for a 37-20 advantage. The Knights had to survive two late touchdown passes from Case Keenum and two onside kicks in order to capture their first victory over a ranked opponent with a 37-32 decision.
-Nov. 5, 2010 - at Houston - On a four-game winning streak, UCF got another big play from Bruce Miller when he opened the scoring with a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown, his second of the season. With the Knights ahead 40-33 and less than two minutes on the clock, Emery Allen broke up a fourth-down pass near midfield to help UCF improve to 7-2 and capture its first national ranking in school history (No. 23 in USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 25 in the Associated Press Poll).
-Dec. 4, 2010 - vs. SMU - Hosting its third C-USA Championship Game, UCF controlled SMU in a 17-7 victory, which featured Latavius Murray scoring both of the Knights' touchdowns. With its second C-USA crown, the Black and Gold earned another trip to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, where the Knights defeated Georgia for a program-record 11th win.
-Oct. 4, 2012 - vs. East Carolina - Holding a 2-2 record entering the C-USA opener with East Carolina, UCF and its fans were silenced by the Pirates who quickly built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. With the stands still deflated, Quincy McDuffie turned the game, and maybe the season, around with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. In a matter of minutes, the Knights led at the half, 20-17, and went on to double up ECU, 40-20. That would start a six-game winning streak.
-Oct. 13, 2012 - vs. Southern Miss - Part of that six-game streak was the thriller against Southern Miss. UCF boasted a slim 24-21 lead when USM took over with 3:10 left, and galloped down the field to the UCF 19-yard line. Big tackles from Troy Davis and Terrance Plummer set up third down, where Davis stopped Desmond Johnson on 3-and-1 to force a game-tying field goal. Following the teams trading touchdown runs in the first overtime, Latavius Murray plowed through for another touchdown in the second extra session. When the defense returned to the field, Kemal Ishmael wasted little time giving UCF its first overtime win in school history when he intercepted an Anthony Alford pass. That proved to be easier than getting out of the dog pile which ensued. At the end of the C-USA era, UCF would have its fourth division title in just its eighth season in the league.
Have some other great moments to add? Visit UCF Football on Facebook to share your thoughts.
Plan your game days this fall with the Knights, and experience one of the best schedules in program history. Season tickets start at $99. Order today at UCFAthletics.com or call 407-UCF-1000.