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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 9-2 | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Mike Kruczek Returning starters: 11 (offense 3, defense 7) Outlook There's no use trying to follow last season. The best thing the Knights can do is bronze the memories, then move ahead as quickly as possible. This season holds considerably less promise than the one prior, but one of the marks of a quality program is the ability to remain competitive despite having a roster depleted by graduation. That -- and getting ready for an opening month that features Purdue, Florida, Georgia Tech and Georgia -- is coach Mike Kruczek's primary task. The yardstick for any season -- wins and losses -- will not be the best measure of success or failure for this group. Finding new leaders on the field, battling to the end of games regardless of the score, and maintaining the program's credibility in the viciously competitive recruiting region that is the state of Florida is more than enough to expect. Last season will be remembered, but unfortunately for football fans in Orlando, it won't be repeated. OffenseWith Daunte Culpepper plying his trade in the pros after providing nearly 90 percent of the team's offense last year, the quarterback position belongs to junior Vic Penn. Penn transferred to UCF from Garden City Community College in Kansas where he spent one season after leaving South Carolina. He earned SEC all-Freshman honors during his tenure with the Gamecocks. Robinson is the most athletic of the group, and has a tremendous arm. Junior Kelvin Robinson as well as freshman Brian Miller played well in camp, however and are quality reserves. Penn has many instructions to carry out, but if he has one mandate, it is this: Get the ball to Charles Lee and Kenny Clark. The pair combined for 86 catches a year ago. Lee suffered a setback in fall camp when he fell victim to the extreme heat and had to be hospitalized for cramping. When the Knights aren't throwing the ball they will look to a collection of ballcarriers. Omari Howard, Terrance Williams and freshman Corey Baker should all contribute, but Edward Mack is expected to start, given that he's healthy. A sprained big toe has hampered him in fall camp. Last year he led the team with a 6.2 yards-per-carry average. Three new starters must be found on the line. Senior tackle Frank Haynes (6-7, 320) and junior center Chris Lorenti (6-5, 320) will anchor the group.
It's a good sign if: Either Penn or Robinson takes control at QB. There is strength and stability here. Last season UCF was 23rd nationally in scoring defense, 26th in total defense, 44th against the rush and 40th against the pass. Not great numbers, but solid enough to play a key role in last year's nine-win effort. Big-hitter Jeff Frye is one of the unit's standouts. Despite his lack of size, last year the 5-8, 165-pound cornerback earned the team's big-hit award four times. He had 57 tackles, nine pass breakup and two forced fumbles in 11 games. Strong safety Damian Demps is the other veteran in the secondary. Last year Demps led the team with 92 tackles, while also contributing two interceptions. The other corner is likely to be JC transfer Travis Fisher, but junior Davin Bush, the veteran of five starts last year, will compete for the No. 1 job. Look for either Tommy Shavers or Elliot Shorter at free safey. Senior tackle Justen Moore (6-4, 265) is back to lead a line that returns all four starters. Last year he was named the team's outstanding defensive lineman after posting 47 tackles, and leading the team with eight sacks. He'll work inside with tackle Jeff Mauldin, a 6-3, 255-pound junior. Mauldin is one of the strongest players up front, with a 495-pound squat and a 385-pound bench. Marv Richardson (6-4, 240) and Fred Harley (6-2, 260) are the ends. Richardson had four sacks in '98, Harley had five. The linebackers will take their cues from middle linebacker Deaubrey Devine, a 6-0, 235-pound hitting machine. Despite being slowed by a knee sprain this spring, the senior is ready for his best season. Last year he came on late with 12 tackles against Ball State and seven tackles, including one behind the line, against Auburn. He finished with 64 tackles. Pencil in Tito Rodriguez at one linebacker position. Two players, sophomore Tony Hardman and junior Willie Davis, will battle for the third spot. It's a good sign if: Devine stays healthy after suffering shoulder problems in '97.It's a bad sign if: This side of the ball does not put some points on the scoreboard. Special Teams Punter Javier Beorlegui is back for his sophomore season intent on adding some consistency to a game that already features a powerful leg. Freshman Gabe Leavitt will step into the place-kicking role. -- John Crowley |
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