UCF RETURNS HOME AND FACES IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE IN TOLEDO
UCF Press Release
October 15, 2002
ORLANDO - The Golden Knights headed to the
practice field nearly 45 minutes early on Tuesday afternoon as to not tempt the
40 percent chance of showers projected for the UCF campus and surrounding area.
The move paid off, as UCF was able to conduct a routine Tuesday practice in full
pads completing a two-and-a-half hour workout.
After a win over Western
Michigan last Saturday, the Knights return home for the start of a three-game
homestand. Another big challenge faces UCF this weekend as defending MAC
champion Toledo comes to Orlando.
"Every team is a little different, but they remind me a lot of Western
Michigan," said quarterback Ryan Schneider. "Defensively they like to crowd the
line of scrimmage and their linebackers are very active. We are definitely going
to have to play a solid 60 minutes of football to get a victory."
Not only is this just the
second home game in seven weeks (including idle weeks) for UCF, it is the first
official conference home game.
"The entire team is happy to be playing at home again and very much looking
forward to the homestand," added Schneider. "Every game from here on out is
critical and it is going to be nice to have the support from our fans."
The team will practice again on
Wednesday at approximately 3 p.m., but the weather may dictate an earlier start
time. UCF and Toledo have met on two prior occasions with the Knights holding a
2-0 series advantage. Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Other notes -
-Entering the game against Toledo, quarterback Ryan Schneider is ranked 12th in
the nation in total offense putting up 291.20 yards a game.
-Wide receiver Doug Gabriel continues to be steady as he is averaging 113 yards
a game receiving (10th) and is pulling in 6.4 receptions a game ranking him 13th
in the nation. Also, his 174.8 all-purpose yards a contest are good enough for
7th in the nation.
-After a career high 113 yards receiving on seven catches against WMU, Jimmy
Fryzel is 57th in the country with 67.20 yards a game.
-As a team, UCF holds the 11th spot nationally in passing offense averaging 306
yards a game.