Prior to joining the Mid-American Conference in 2002, the University of Central Florida (1-3, 0-1) was listed as a Division I-A Independent, with no conference to call their own. The Golden Knights played a variety of teams from a variety of conferences, often squaring off against the likes of Virginia Tech, Purdue, Georgia and Florida.
The opportunity to play such teams, coupled with the legacy of Daunte Culpepper, who graduated from UCF in 1999, has helped Central Florida's ability to land blue chip recruits over the years, especially from their home state, where high school talent is as prominent as the UV index.
Consequently, when UCF entered the MAC, many believed it was a boost for a conference that was repeatedly judged as being less competitive.
However, with a 1-3 start thus far including last week's loss to conference rival Kent State, the sputtering Knights enter this Saturday's game against UB (0-5, 0-1) hungry and determined to show they are better than their record indicates.
UCF will be without their superstar quarterback Ryan Schneider, a pre-season candidate for the Davey O'Brien award, given to the nation's top college quarterback. Schneider, who injured his shoulder last week against Kent State, is presently the active NCAA leader in touchdown passes, with 77, and has recently eclipsed 10,000 yards passing for his career, becoming just the 25th college player to do so.
Needless to say, it is a huge loss for the Knights, who will instead hand the reigns of their offense over to junior Jon Rivera, who went 3-4 for 36 yards and an interception in relief last week.
Rivera, making his first collegiate start against the Bulls, will look to junior running back Alex Haynes, in hopes that he will relieve some of the pressure that is bestowed on the starting quarterback.
Haynes, whose name is on the Doak Walker Award watch-list (nation's best running back), is coming off a 1,038-yard campaign from a year ago. This season, he is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has scored at least one touchdown in eight of the last ten games, dating to last year.
Through the air, Rivera will have more-than-capable targets, including 5-foot-9-inch junior speedster Tavaris Capers. His nine receptions per game (36 total) have him ranked second in the nation and first in the MAC. Including Capers and Haynes, there are six Knights with double-digit catches this season, proving there is plenty of talent surrounding the inexperienced Rivera.
UCF's defensive unit is led by hard-hitting junior safety Atari Bigby, a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Award (nation's best defensive player). Last year he was a First Team All-MAC performer with 104 tackles and his 42 stops this season lead the Golden Knights.
However, in the turnover department, the Knights' secondary has had a difficult time replacing New England Patriots draft pick Asante Samuel, and has failed to record an interception this season.
The linebackers for the Golden Knights are spearheaded by junior strong side backer Antoine Poe, whose 16 tackles last week against Kent State gave him 34 for the season. Poe is also an excellent pass rusher, having tallied two sacks against Florida Atlantic University and a fumble recovery against Kent.
The special teams play for the Golden Knights should also be noted. Punter Matt Prater leads the country with a 49.4 yard per punt average, including kicks of 67 and 71. The Knights have also blocked three kicks so far this year: two field goals and one punt.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
