LAKE BUENA VISTA - Nobody was more excited than Central Florida coach Mike Kruczek when UCF and USF recently agreed to play for the first time in 2005 and 2006.
"It's a game that has to happen," Kruczek said. "Florida plays Florida State. And now Florida is back playing Miami. Rivalries within the state are critical. It just makes sense that South Florida play Central Florida. I'm elated that we have an opportunity to play each other. ... I can just imagine the attendance, whether it's in the Citrus Bowl or Raymond James, will be incredible."
Kruczek pushed for an annual series long before the deal was completed, and he occasionally needled the Bulls because he thought they dragged their feet. He took another shot Saturday, this time at coach Jim Leavitt.
"I'm not one that worries about competition," Kruczek said. "I'm not worried about competitive leverage with another team in this state. It's great that (UCF athletic director) Steve Orsini and the powers that be got that game scheduled. And I'm sure Jim Leavitt, once he thinks it out, will agree with that."
NO RUSH: Leavitt was asked if he would consider letting ex-FSU quarterback Adrian McPherson join his squad. Leavitt took the wait-and-see approach. "I want to give him his fair due," he said.
A stolen check led to McPherson's dismissal from the Seminoles in November. He pleaded no contest to gambling and theft charges in Tallahassee three weeks ago as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors that will keep the 20-year-old Bradenton native from serving jail time.
Leavitt recently received a message from someone claiming to be McPherson's attorney. He said he didn't return the call.
LOOKING UP: Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger, filled with optimism, says the third-year Owls can compete with any team on the schedule (which includes two Division I-A opponents) and have a winning record.
"We have a bunch of juniors with 21 games of experience," he said. "And we've got sophomores with 11 games. We have improved in a talent and experience standpoint."
ODDS AND ENDS: UCF moves into a new athletic center in the next week or so. Kruczek said the building gives the program as much credibility as joining the Mid-American Conference last year: "We needed this facility. ... It's critical. It's the next piece of the puzzle." ... Schnellenberger says he had a $250,000 recruiting budget in 1994, his final season at Louisville. He worked with a $40,000 budget last year, and says he spent only $30,000 of that.
