Knights’ defense will aim to slow high-octane Cougar attack.
Nov. 10, 2009
By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com
UCF coach George O’Leary thinks the best quarterback the Knights have seen this season is Texas senior Colt McCoy, who strengthened his Heisman Trophy candidacy last Saturday with 470 passing yards.
Bo, Torchy to be honored at halftime of UCF-UMass.
Nov. 11, 2009
By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) – When he learned that UCF would be honoring him and his father on Friday when the Knights host Massachusetts, Bo Clark was happy to change his schedule so he could be in attendance at the UCF Arena. Clark, who is currently the head coach at Flagler, gave his team the day off of practice so that he will be there when UCF unveils banners honoring him and his father Torchy inside the new arena.
O’Leary took questions on the upcoming game against Houston
Nov. 10, 2009
Orlando, Fla – On Tuesday afternoon, head coach George O’Leary held his weekly press conference in Bright House Networks Stadium.
O’Leary answered questions on rotations in the Knight’s offense, quarterback Case Keenum and this week’s homecoming game against C-USA opponent Houston.
at Texas 35 … UCF 3
Jordan Shipley set the Texas single-game receiving record with 273 yards highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth. Cody Johnson ran for second quarter touchdowns from 20 and 13 yards out and Fozzy Whitaker rumbled into the end zone from six yards out as part of a run of 35 unanswered Longhorn points. UCF started out with a 39-yard field goal in the first two minutes, but managed just 151 yards of total offense without starting RB Brynn Harvey and QB Brett Hodges.
Player of the Game: Texas WRB Jordan Shipley caught 11 passes for 273 yards and a score.
UCF: Passing: Rob Calabrese, 10-19, 76 yds
Rushing: Jonathan Davis, 22-71, Receiving: A.J. Guyton, 5-35
Texas: Passing: Colt McCoy, 33-42, 470 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Cody Johnson, 10-44, 2 TD, Receiving: Jordan Shipley, 11-273, 1 TD
What It All Means: UCF didn’t have much of a shot anyway, and it was truly dead in the water without QB Brett Hodges and RB Brynn Harvey. Jonathan Davis wasn’t bad running the ball in place of Harvey, but the offense wasn’t able to move the ball at all on the impenetrable Texas D. The secondary was torched, but that was by Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley. However, this might have been a sign of things to come. McCoy rolled for 470 yards through the air, and next up is Case Keenum and Houston.
Houston Cougars 38 UCF Knights 17
UCF freshman class
Here is a look at some of the key members of UCF’s freshman class Keith Clanton Height/weight: 6-8, 230 Position: F Hometown: Orlando The skinny: Named the Florida Class 1A Player of the Year after averaging 18.2 points, 12.5 boards, 3.7 assists and 3.8 blocked shots. He led Orlando Christian Prep to the state championship. Coach Kirk Speraw says: “He’s tremendously skilled. But there will be a lot of ups and downs throughout the course of the year. He’ll have to learn some tough lessons in a competitive situation. But he’s a great young man, very unselfish. He’s going to be great to play with because he’s so unselfish and he has such great vision and is a tremendous passer.” Marcus Jordan Height/weight: 6-3, 200 Position: G Hometown: Highland Park, Ill. The skinny: Averaged 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while helping Whitney Young High School to the Illinois Class 4A championship. Known more as a defensive specialist, he can play either guard position. And needless to say, his choice of shoes has helped put UCF on the national map. Coach Kirk Speraw says: “He’s been a great young man. He’s very grounded, very level-headed. He’s been a tremendous addition to this university setting and will be a tremendous ambassador to our university.” Nick Garcia Height/weight: 6-5, 190 Position: G Hometown: Skokie, Ill. The skinny: An AAU teammate of Jordan’s since the sixth grade, Garcia is an excellent 3-point shooter. He was ranked the 34th-best shooting guard in the country by Rivals.com after averaging 22 points for Evanston Township. Coach Kirk Speraw says: “Nik’s a great shooter. He’s got a reputation of making big shots in basketball games. He brings good length, a good sense of how to play. He’s got good upside.” R.J. Scott Height/weight: 6-2, 205 Position: G Hometown: Slidell, La. The skinny: Was named first-team All-State after averaging 17.3 points and leading Salmen High to a 33-2 record and the Louisiana Class 4A championship. He is one of three incoming freshmen to have played on a state-title winner in high school. He can shoot the three, but can also drive to the basket and play both guard spots. UCF guard A.J. Rompza on recruiting class: “These are some of the best freshmen in the country. Individually, they’ve all won state championships. Anytime you have (three) people who’ve won a state championship $ you know what they’re capable of doing. They want to win, they have won and they know what it takes to win.”
