UCF Press Release

November 21, 2002

ORLANDO - A matchup of two of the MAC's best quarterbacks will be on the menu Saturday when UCF travels to Oxford, Ohio for a game against Miami University. UCF junior Ryan Schneider and Miami sophomore Ben Roethlisberger are both ranked in the top 20 in the nation in total offense and passing efficiency.

    Despite the fact both have the ability to be difference makers in the game, Schneider says he doesn't feel added pressure playing against Roethlisberger. "Ben does a good job with Miami's offense, but all the quarterbacks in the MAC that we have played have been good quarterbacks," Schneider said. "I'm worried about what I'm doing, not what he's doing. Our defense will worry about that. I'm more concerned about Miami's defense because they give so many different looks and bring so many different blitzes."

    Schneider stats confirm his comment about MAC quarterbacks by the fact he ranks sixth in the nation in passing efficiency, but that number is only good enough for third best in the conference. Schneider's 301 yards per game of total offense rank him 11th in the nation and second in the MAC. He has thrown seven touchdown passes in the past two games and leads the MAC with 24, four shy of UCF's single season mark set by Daunte Culpepper in 1998.

    Roethlisberger is coming off a 247-yard performance with three touchdowns in a 36-34 loss at Marshall Nov. 12. He is 16th in the nation in total offense and 17th in passing efficiency and ranks fourth in the MAC in both categories.

    "Roethlisberger is a big threat," UCF coach Mike Kruczek said. "Obviously, he can do it with that big arm of his and he can also do it with his feet. He is also very smart with what he does with the football so it is going to be a tremendous challenge."

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and Sunshine Network will televise the game live in the Orlando and Tampa markets. The game will be joined in progress in the remainder of the state at the conclusion of the North Carolina at Duke game (approximately 3:30). The game will be replayed statewide at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Notes: Snow is forecast for Friday in Oxford, Ohio, but it is expected to clear up by Saturday. The projected temperature at kickoff is currently 42 degrees.

Noseguard Larry Brown returned to practice for the first time since breaking the ring finger on his left hand against Buffalo, Nov. 9. He will play with a cast on his hand covered by padding.

Tight end Mario Jackson had surgery Wednesday to repair his broken right ankle. He had a plate attached to his fibula and a screw inserted in his ankle. He is out for the remainder of the year.

 

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