November 1, 2002

ORLANDO - UCF concluded its week of practice on Thursday with a 16-segment workout lasting approximately an hour-and-a-half. The team, in helmets and shoulder pads, put the finishing touches on a game plan to take on the Syracuse Orangemen this Saturday at the Citrus Bowl.

The two teams clashed last season, with the Orangemen taking a 21-10 decision in the first-ever meeting,  a game in which UCF quarterback Ryan Schneider threw for only 140 yards. This year he will be facing a Syracuse defense that is allowing opponents nearly 253 a game.

"You can't get caught up in numbers," said Schneider. "Both teams are going to play hard and the only number that matters at the end is the score."

Schneider and the rest of the Golden Knights are glad to have the opportunity to face Syracuse a second time after not putting the game they wanted together last season.

"We had some letdowns against them last season," added Schneider. "We actually led them at the half and then had some miscues that cost us the game. We want to play them again and put together the game we know we are capable of playing."

Both teams are coming off wins, UCF against Akron and Syracuse over Rutgers, and are eager to gain momentum so it won't be difficult to get up for this game.

"All our games are big," added Schneider. "And besides, Syracuse is Syracuse, and if you can't get up for a game like this then you should not be playing college football. Games like this are always intense."

Television coverage of the game will start at 7 p.m., with kickoff slated for 7:06 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Sunshine Network and will 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 to contractual obligations. The game will be broadcast live in the South Florida market.
   
OTHER NOTES:
Senior defensive end and team captain Elton Patterson was named the winner of the team's Big Stick Award Thursday after practice for his hit on Akron quarterback Charlie Frye. Atari Bigby, the week's previous winner, was nominated again but had to turn over the award to Patterson. Patterson will lead the team out of the tunnel on Saturday.

Doug Gabriel enters the game ranked 21st in the country in all-purpose yards with 147.86 a game.


   

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