Dec. 1, 2007
2007 UCF Football Game Notes
Game 13: Tulsa (Dec. 1)
Bright House Networks Championship Game
The 2007 Bright House Networks Conference USA Championship Game is the second league title game the Knights have hosted during their three seasons as a member.
The Knights' extended their winning streak to seven games, which is an all-time best in program history.
The 10 wins in a season equals the most wins in a season by a UCF team. The Knights' previous 10-win season came in 1990 when Gene McDowell's squad went 10-4 with two of those wins coming in the Division I-AA playoffs.
This is UCF's first conference title in school history, and it received and accepted an invitation to the Liberty Bowl following the win.
Kevin Smith was named the 2007 Bright House Networks Conference USA Championship Game MVP as he rushed for 284 yards on 39 attempts and four touchdowns.
Kevin Smith NOTABLES
Following his 284-yard rushing effort, Smith now stands second all-time on the NCAA Bowl Subdivision rushing yards in a season list with 2,448. Smith moved to second on the list, surpassing USC's Marcus Allen in the third quarter with a six-yard run that helped set up the third field goal of the game by Michael Torres. Smith trails only Barry Sanders (2,628; 1988) on the all-time list.
The 200-yard rushing effort was his fifth of the season. His 284 yards were his second-highest total of the season (320 vs. UAB).
Smith's touchdown runs of three, four, 46 and 74 yards gave him 29 on the season, which is the fourth most in a single-season in FBS history. It marked the third time this season Smith scored four touchdowns in a game. His 74-yard scoring jaunt in the fourth quarter was his fourth of 70-plus yards this season.
With his 39 carries, Smith broke the all-time record for rushing attempts in a season in the NCAA FBS. Marcus Allen of USC held the previous record of 403 - a mark he set in 1981. Smith now has 415 carries in 2007.
The 100-yard rushing effort was his 12th of the season and it marked the seventh time this season Smith had 100 yards rushing by halftime (24 for 161 at the break).
Smith's four rushing touchdowns also surpassed Florida State's Greg Allen for the state of Florida career record at 45 for his career.
UCF PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES
Junior Joe Burnett returned a punt for a touchdown 83 yards in the first quarter. It was Burnett's third career punt return for a touchdown and the last time was against Tulsa in the inaugural C-USA title game in 2005 (68 yards). The return was also the third longest in school history.
With his second reception of the game, junior Rocky Ross hauled in the 100th pass of his UCF career. Ross finished with three catches for 63 yards.
Junior Johnell Neal picked off his fourth pass of the season in the second quarter. The Knights' have now registered an interception in seven-consecutive games. Neal added an interception in the third quarter, giving him his first multiple-pick game of his career.
Junior Jason Venson also had an interception in the victory, giving him two for the season and six for his career.
The Knights' three interceptions gave the UCF defense 23 on the season, which sets a new school record for picks in a campaign. The previous record was held by the 1980 and 1992 teams with 20.
Senior Michael Torres' connected on his 13th-consecutive field goal in the opening quarter, which is a new school record. Charlie Pierce held the previous record of 12, which he established in 1993. Torres added kicks from 21 and 45 to extend his streak to 15 consecutive and makes him 19 of 21 on the season. His 19 field goals in 2007 is a new single-season school record, breaking the mark of 18 set by Scott Ryerson in 1981.
Junior Rocky Ross reached the 100 career receptions mark with a 25 yard catch the end of the 1st quarter, finishing the day with 101.
Chance Henderson had a team-high 11 tackles Saturday, which set a career-high.