The Golden Knights will
conclude a three-game homestand this weekend with their final
out-of-conference game against Syracuse. It will be the first-ever
visit to the Citrus Bowl for Syracuse, who hosted UCF last season
at the Carrier Dome, a 21-10 Syracuse win.
The Orangemen are coming off a 10-3 season, but have stumbled to a
2-6 mark so far this year. As far as UCF Head Coach Mike Kruczek
is concerned this is still a very dangerous football team.
“They are what you would expect, same traditional team.” said
Kruczek. “Big, strong, fast and they seem to execute very well. I
do not understand their 2-6 record, they were in every ball game
they played, with the exception of the Pittsburgh game and I am
not really certain what happened there, but Pitt did make some big
plays. When you look at the other games they have played, they are
in it until the very end.”
Having faced a tough Syracuse squad last season, Kruczek knows
what to expect but knows it is still very challenging to line up
and execute.
“The thing against them defensively is in dealing with all the
looks they give you,” said Kruczek. “They shift, go unbalanced,
use motion, two backs and they do it all very well. I thought last
year we adjusted well and had a good plan for it, so based on how
much they have changed we will may draw on some things we saw last
season.”
On the other side of the ball, Kruczek knows numbers and stats do
not matter this is a tough unit defensively.
“Defensively I don’t see much of a drop off from last season,”
stated Kruczek. “They appear to more athletic and as big and
strong as they ever have been. As to why they are 2-6, I don’t
have a clue after watching their games.”
Kickoff for the game is slated for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on
Sunshine Network and be shown up north on ESPN Regional. In the
Orlando area the game will have a delayed airing, as it will show
at 11 p.m. due contractual obligations. The game will be broadcast
live in southern Florida.
The team will practice on Tuesday at approximately 3:15 when
specialists take to the field.
Other notes —
Conference honor: UCF had its third player of the week named in
the Mid-American Conference as senior defensive end Elton
Patterson was named the MAC East Division Co-Defensive Player of
the Week, joining two-time winner Asante Samuel as the only other
Golden Knight to earn the award this season.
Against Akron, Patterson recorded three sacks and four tackles for
a loss overall, as well as forcing a fumble in UCF’s 28-17 win
over the Zips. The Knights D held the Zips to 11 points below its
average. Patterson totaled eight tackles, with four QB hurries,
and made a touchdown saving tackle.
It’s A Boy – first year offensive tackle Joe Blackard and his wife
Jennifer welcomed a new addition to the family on Friday (Oct.
25). The two had their first child, a son, named Joseph Garrett
Blackard who weighed in at seven pounds four ounces and was just
under 22 inches long. Mother and child are at home doing well.
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