Colleges

UCF at a glance

By Izzy Gould
Published August 31, 2007

UCF

WHERE: Orlando

ENROLLMENT: 47,000

NICKNAME: Knights

COACH: George O'Leary (12-24, fourth season; 64-57 in 10th season overall)

CONFERENCE: Conference USA

LAST SEASON: 4-8, 3-5 C-USA (Fourth in East)

LOCAL TIES: DT Leger Douzable (Alonso), OL Garrett Gibbons (Chamberlain), WR Jamar Newsome (Boca Ciega), QB Joe Weatherford (Land O'Lakes), PK Robert Batista (Central), DB Jordan Becker (Clearwater Central College), LB Tom Lews (Osceola).

STADIUM: Bright House Networks Stadium (45,000)

OUTLOOK: The Knights open their new on-campus stadium Sept.15 against Texas, a moment they hope marks the next step in the program's evolution. Of course it's all glitz and glamour if UCF can't win games. The offense will do its best to rebound from a disappointing 2006 campaign and will lean on junior Kevin Smith, whose 2,112 ranks seventh at UCF for career rushing. A concern is quarterback, where senior Kyle Israel is the only experienced one at the position. UCF signed three quarterbacks in February, including Land O'Lakes star Joe Weatherford. The offensive line returns four starters including three-year starter Josh Sitton at right tackle. The defense should fare well with nine returning starters. Defensive tackle Keith Shologan has 33 consecutive starts, and Johnell Neal was the first cornerback in UCF history to lead in tackles with 66 in 2006.

WEB SITE: www.ucfathletics.com

SCHEDULE: Saturday - at N.C. State, 6 p.m.; Sept. 15 - Texas, 3:30 p.m.; Sept. 22 - Memphis, 3:30 p.m.; Sept. 29 - Louisiana-Lafayette, 6 p.m.; Oct. 6 - at East Carolina, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 13 - at USF, 7 p.m.; Oct. 20 - Tulsa, 4 p.m.; Oct. 28 - at Southern Mississippi, 8 p.m.; Nov. 3 - Marshall, 3:30 p.m.; Nov. 10 - at Alabama-Birmingham, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 17 - at Southern Methodist, 3 p.m.; Nov. 24 - Texas-El Paso, TBA.k

Izzy Gould, Times staff writer

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 10:15:32]