UCF Press Release

November 12, 2002

ORLANDO - The Golden Knights return to the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 16 to take on Mid-American Conference opponent Kent State in what UCF is hoping will be the second of four wins to close out the season. The team practiced Monday by breaking down game film of the Golden Flashes and meeting about offensive and defensive schemes before hitting the field for a 12-period practice. While the Knights will certainly be focusing on Kent State and their potent ground attack, which ranks ninth in the nation averaging 242.60, in the back of their minds the team will be very much looking forward to Tuesday's MAC match-up between Marshall and Miami which can seriously affect the outcome of their season.

"We are all going to get together and go out to watch the game," said offensive lineman Taylor Robertson. "The team is very interested in the game for obvious reasons, but we also have to get ready for Kent State this week. We were all played in conferences and went to playoffs in high school, but this is still exciting. This is what is great about being in a conference."
UCF needs a Miami win to gain the upper hand in winning the MAC East Division. All is not lost however if Marshall is victorious, but the Golden Knights know that it is the Golden Flashes that need to be in the forefront of their minds. Regardless of the outcome, Robertson believes things at practice will be business as usual.

"I don't see it (mood of practice) being affected either way. Even if Marshall wins, we still have a shot, it is just that more needs to happen. We are certainly not overlooking anybody," added Robertson. "We can't afford to look ahead. If you do that, than what you were looking ahead to won't even be there."

OTHER NOTES:
UCF defensive tackle Larry Brown will undergo surgery on Thursday on a broken left hand suffered during the win at Buffalo. He will not play against Kent State, but will be listed as questionable against Miami.

Center Mike Mabry and outside linebacker Stanford Rhule, are both hobbled by severe ankle sprains incurred during the game at Buffalo. Mabry's injury was to the right, while Rhule's was to the left ankle. Both will be evaluated daily and are expected to miss a fair amount of practice. Each is listed as questionable for Saturday.

After throwing a career high five touchdown passes and running for another against Buffalo, junior quarterback Ryan Schneider was named the MAC's East Division Offensive Player of the Week. Schneider finished the game hitting on 25-of-43 passes for 360 yards. The five TD strikes give him 22 on the season, which is a new career high, with three games remaining. His 360 yards enabled him to become just the third UCF quarterback to reach 8,000 yards for a career. Coupled with his 440-yard performance against Syracuse two weeks ago, Schneider has thrown for 800 the past two weeks.
 

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