ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – A number of former Knights had success in week one of the 2017 NFL season, including Matt Prater, who kicked a 58-yard field goal and got back to his punting roots in a 35-23 Detroit Lions win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Prater, who is UCF's all-time career leader for average yardage per punt, returned to the role for the first time in his 11-year career on Sunday. Lions' punter Kasey Redfern was injured in the first quarter against the Cardinals and Prater had to step up.
Also fulfilling his field goal, extra point, and kickoff responsibilities, Prater had a full day, punting four times. Given the long layoff, his 47-yard boot, which pinned Arizona back at its own 6-yard line in the third quarter, was quite impressive.
Lost in the shuffle of Prater's throwback Sunday was a 58-yard field goal, which tied for the second longest in Lions franchise history. His own 59-yarder in January of 2016 is the only longer field goal for Detroit, and his 64-yard field goal as a member of the Denver Broncos in 2013 is the NFL record.
PRATER AS A PUNTER
- UCF Career Record: 47.6 yards per punt (2002-05)
- UCF Season Record: 47.9 yards per punt (2003)
- UCF Game Record: 57.6 yards per punt (10/11/03)
READ ABOUT IT
- Lions' Matt Prater, ex-college punting star, fills in well for Redfern – Carlos Monarrez and Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
- Prater's punting duties take on footnote in time – Rob Beard, The Detroit News
- Prater adds punting to his resume – Tim Twentyman, DetroitLions.com
A pair of former Knights led the pro team up the road to its first week one victory since 2011, as Blake Bortles and A.J. Bouye helped the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Houston Texans 29-7 on Sunday.
Bortles went 11-for-21 with 125 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions in the victory. Bouye, meanwhile, made six tackles and had one pass break-up in his first game with the Jags after four seasons with the Texans.
#BUILTBYUCF – WEEK 1
Kamar Aiken: 1 catch for 3 yards
Blake Bortles: 11/21 for 125 yards and 1 TD; 3 rush for 13 yards
A.J. Bouye: 6 tackles, 5 solo, 1 pass defended
Shaquill Griffin: 10 solo tackles, 1 pass defended
Charley Hughlett: Played vs. Pittsburgh
Kemal Ishmael: Played vs. Chicago
Brandon Marshall: 1 catch for 10 yards
Justin McCray: Played vs. Seahawks
Latavius Murray: 2 rushes for 6 yards
Breshad Perriman: 1 catch for 5 yards
Matt Prater: 1/1 FG (58 yards), 4 punts (1 downed at 6)
Josh Robinson: Game Postponed
Josh Sitton: Started vs. Atlanta
A couple of former Knights also had success in Week 12 of the CFL season on Saturday.
- Brandon Alexander – 6 tackles in Winnipeg's win over Saskatchewan
- Joe Burnett – 3 tackles in Calgary's win over Edmonton
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