Miami, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The Knights (1-2) will look to even their season record this weekend in an intra-state battle with the Panthers (0-3) of FIU. this Saturday evening at FIU Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and below are facts and stats related to the matchup:
Matchup Facts:
- This will mark the fifth time in six seasons that these two programs will match up. The all-time series is tied at 2-2.
- UCF and FIU have one common opponent this season in Maryland.
- Last time UCF travel to FIU Stadium, the Knights defeated the Panthers 38-0 during their Fiesta Bowl Championship season.
- Last season, FIU escaped with a 15-14 win at Bright House Networks Stadium by partially blocking UCF's game-winning field goal.
Key Offensive and Defensive Stats:
- In their one common opponent, Maryland, UCF put up 455 total yards against the Terrapins compared to FIU's 372 total yards.
- Freshman quarterback McKenzie Milton passed for 260 yards last week against Maryland, which was the most passing yards by a quarterback in his debut since Ryan Schneider's 365 passing yards at Eastern Michigan.
- Redshirt sophomore receiver Tre'Quan Smith is coming off his fourth career 100-yard receiving game. His first career 100-yard receiving game was last season against FIU.
- Redshirt senior linebacker Mark Rucker leads the Knights in total tackles with 25. Last week against Maryland, he led the team with 7 total tackles.
- The top five tacklers for the Knights this season are all linebackers: Rucker (25), Errol Clarke (20), Shaquem Griffin (19), Demeitre Brim (18) and Chequan Burkett (17).
Marc's Minute
In this week's "Marc's Minute", UCF Director of Broadcasting Marc Daniels talks about the importance of playing a football game in the southern part of the Sunshine State. He also touches on true freshman quarterback McKenzie Milton, who will make his second career start this week against the Panthers.
Weather Report
Saturday's forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms during the day and drops to 60 percent in the evening. The projected high is 86 and the projected low is 78 degrees. Temperature around kickoff is expected to be around 80 degrees.
Links/Media Coverage
UCFKnights.com – Knights Head To Miami | Game Notes
Orlando Sentinel – UCF football moving forward with freshman QB McKenzie Milton
Orlando Sentinel - UCF defensive line works hard to improve, deliver for Knights
UCFSports.com - Miller: FIU is 'must win' game
Miami Herald - Winless FIU football team will have to slow it down to beat up-tempo UCF
Sun Sentinel - Family serves as motivation for UCF running back Jawon Hamilton
Radio/TV/Video
Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at FIU Stadium. The game will broadcast on beIN Sports (live stream here), and in Orlando on radio station 96.9 FM/740 AM. It is also available on the iHeart app and the UCF Knights app. Radio coverage will begin at 5 p.m.
beIN Sports Channel Guide:
-1163 (Bright House)*
-408 (Dish Network)
-620 (DirecTV)
-726 (Comcast)
-1662 (AT&T U-Verse)
-598 (Verizon FIOS)
*Sports pass needed