Nov. 24, 2007
This is the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. The Miners are the third team from Texas that the Knights have played in 2007.
UCF has clinched the Conference USA East Division title for the second time in three campaigns in the league.
The Knights' nine wins on the year tie for the most since UCF moved to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1996.
The Knights have now won six-consecutive contests. The streak marks just the second time in program history that UCF has claimed six-straight victories (1990).
Kevin Smith NOTABLES
Junior RB Kevin Smith became the first rusher in the state of Florida history to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark in the season with a seven-yard carry in the second quarter. He finished the first half with 22 carries for 79 yards.
For the game, Smith carried the ball 46 times for 219 yards with one score.
His 46 carries were good for a new school record.
The junior currently leads the nation in rushing with 2,164 yards.
The Miami native is now fourth in the NCAA single-season annals with 2,164 yards in 2007. He entered the contest 16th on the single-season register.
Smith's 100-yard rushing game was his 11th of the season, which breaks the Conference USA single-season record previously held by DeAngelo Williams, who achieved that feat three times in his career (2003, 2004, 2005).
Smith surpassed Florida's Erict Rhett for the career rushing lead among running backs in the history of the state of Florida during the third quarter. Rhett had 4,057 yards for the Gators from 1990-93. Smith has 4,276 for his career.
Smith is now the state leader for single-season 100-yard games (11) and career 200-yard games (5).
UCF PLAYER NOTES
Junior Sha'reff Rashad picked off his fourth pass of the season in the second quarter, stalling a UTEP drive on the Knights' two-yard line. Rashad's interception was the ninth of his career, which moves him into a tie for third on the UCF career charts.
Junior Joe Burnett intercepted his sixth pass of the season in the third quarter, which is the second most by a Knight in a single-season. Burnett has four interceptions and at least one pick in three-consecutive games. Rashad achieved that feat earlier this season.
Freshman A.J. Guyton equaled his season-long catch on his 39-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. His previous catch of 39 yards also went for his only other TD of the season vs. East Carolina (Oct. 6).
Guyton finished the contest with four catches for a career-best 96 yards.
On UCF's two scoring drives, senior quarterback Kyle Israel was 5-for-5 for 116 yards and two touchdown passes. Israel finished the game 18-of-26 for 261 yards.
Israel tied his career-high with thee touchdown passes.
Senior Michael Torres connected on three field goals. He has made 12-straight field goals, which ties a school record.