UCF LOOKING TO COVER ALL BASES HEADING INTO MAC SHOWDOWN
UCF Press Release
October 10, 2002
ORLANDO - UCF's practice on Wednesday continued to focus on quality not
quantity. With the team dressed in helmets and shoulder pads, the Golden Knights
conducted a workout consisting of 18 different segments as opposed to the normal
24. The just over 90-minute workout had the squad spending the majority of the
time in team-oriented drills to continue to work on precision and timing.
One of the areas that UCF will be most challenged this Saturday in Kalamazoo
is on special teams, especially on coverage. The Broncos boast an excellent
return man, in redshirt freshman Greg Jennings, who ranks fourth in the nation
with a return average of 30.71 yards a return.
"Special teams is obviously only a third of a football game, but it is
something that can make a very big difference," said UCF Head Coach Mike
Kruczek. "They (Western) have some guys back there that can make things happen
and it is going to be very important for our guys to make sure they are taking
care of their assignments on special teams."
As a team, Western Michigan is ranked No. 1 in the MAC in kickoff returns,
something the Golden Knights are well aware of.
"We have got to make things happen on special teams," added Kruczek. "It is
critical that we do not give up big returns and allow their offense to work with
a short field." Entering the game, UCF is last in the MAC in kickoff coverage
surrendering 26.1 yards a return. "We feel that we have addressed our needs on
special teams. We were able to get some of our key guys back from injuries with
the off week, so it is going to be an excellent challenge for our football
team."
Special teams could prove to be a determining factor as the Golden Knights
and the Broncos are relatively evenly matched in the other facets of the game.
In the MAC rankings, UCF and Western Michigan are third (297.2 yds/gm) and
fourth (282.2 yds/gm) respectively in pass offense, while Western Michigan is
ranked second in pass defense giving up 166.4 yards a game and UCF ranking third
allowing just over 189 yards a game. UCF enters the game 12th in rushing offense
(95 yds/gm), while the Broncos are ranked last at 78.6. Against the run the
Broncos are fourth in rushing defense (143.8 yds/gm), while the Golden Knights
are sixth (162.8 yds/gm).
UCF will conclude its week of practice on Thursday, with kickers and punters
taking the field at approximately 3:15, before traveling to Kalamazoo on
Friday.
Sunshine
Network will televise Saturday's game with kick-off set for 3:30.