Single game left to soften bad season
UCF's breakout 8-5 season of 2005 was supposed to be the
Golden Knights' coming out party. Instead at 3-8 heading
into their season finale Saturday against UAB, it now
feels more like a season on the brink.
For the senior class it would seem that the only saving
grace for 2006 is that it hasn't been as wholly dreadful
as the Knights' winless 2004 campaign. That apparently
isn't the case.
"This is a lot more disappointing," senior
WR Mike Walker said in the days leading up to UCF's most
recent setback Saturday at Tulane. "After all of
the success we had last season, we thought this year was
our year. But we haven't always played smart, and that's
hurt us big time."
Against the Green Wave the Knights seemed focused early,
but again couldn't get both sides of the ball on the same
page down the stretch. It wasn't as biting on the scoreboard
as some of their other losses this season, but the 10-9
loss is still a loss.
UAB's season has in a lot of ways mirrored UCF's and
both teams have identical overall and conference mark's
at 3-8 and 2-5. The Blazers lost for the seventh straight
time to Southern Mississippi Saturday, 25-20.
This weekend's matchup could be on either end of the
scoring spectrum. The Blazers and Knights are 11th and
12th respectively in Conference USA in scoring offense,
but give up 24.2 and 29.4 points on defense.
Focus on the red zone
Junior QB Kyle Israel was not only apologetic for the
Knights' lack of red zone touchdowns in UCF's loss to
Tulane, he said he will make it a focus both this week
and in the offseason.
Israel was 16-of-20 for 173 yards Saturday, but couldn't
get the Knights into the endzone despite getting them
inside the 20-yardline five times.
"That's what frustrates me the most. That when I'm
in is when it seems like we stall out," Israel said.
"When we get down in the red zone we gotta be able
to run the ballI gotta do a better job of just making
plays I guess.
"That's something I have to try to improve this
week. We'll see what we have to do and then build into
next year. It's something that's going to have a little
asterisk beside it. Especially in my book."
Ross becoming weapon
While Walker (83 catches, 1,045 yards) has clearly had
UCF's most dependable hands this season, for the second
consecutive week sophomore Rocky Ross led the Knights
in receptions and yards.
Ross had nine catches for 124 yards against the Green
Wave. This after he had six catches for 135 yards the
week before against Memphis. Ross, who had just 17 catches
for 154 yards and no touchdowns in 13 games as a freshman,
now has 32 catches for 482 yards and two scores. Israel
said Ross' increased confidence has been the biggest factor
in his success this season.
"The thing about Rocky is, as long as he has confidence
he's gonna play good," Israel said. "That's
something that he's been able to build this year, is confidence.
That's all he was really lacking as a freshman. He stepped
his confidence up and he just understands the game so
much more now. I feel comfortable with him out there and
he feels comfortable out there."
