UCF vs Mizzou Preview

The UCF Knights (2-1) will be welcoming the Missouri Tigers (2-2) to Bright House Networks Stadium at Noon on Saturday, September 29, for Military Appreciation Day.

A UCF Alum and now Navy Lieutenant, Bradley Miles, will be performing a flyover in a F-5 Tiger II jet to set the tone for the Knights faithful just before kickoff.  The flyover is one of many recognitions that UCF has planned to honor our brave servicemen and women, past and present, who have given their blood, sweat and tears to a noble cause so that we may enjoy the sweet indulgence that is college football.

When it comes to college football, indulge we do. Tailgating starts at 7AM for all those itching to set up their tents, grill out and throw back some cold ones in celebration of watching other people exercise.  It is a beautiful thing and tomorrows matchup with the Tigers should deliver all the excitement a football fan could hope for.

Saturday will be the first time UCF hosts an SEC team at Bright House.  UCF is 2-13 against the SEC with their most recent win coming in the 2010 Liberty Bowl against Georgia.

With the Tigers losing their first two SEC contests, one to Georgia and one to South Carolina, they will be itching to get the wheels back on the bus with what they are hoping will be an easy win against a C-USA team.  Mizzou’s win over Arizona State showed that they are a very talented team and two losses against two Top-10 teams should not discredit their chin at all.

UCF, on the other hand, is coming off a bye week and a 33-20 win against FIU the week prior.  A close game at Ohio State with the Knights coming up short left a bad taste in the their mouth and hungry to prove that they can play with the big boys.

UCF sophomore quarterback Blake Bortles has a completion percentage of 66.7% with 7 touchdown passes through 3 games.  The UCF offense showcases three other sophomores stepping up in a big way for the Knights.

WR Rannell Hall has 197 reception yards, 375 all-purpose yards and 3 TD’s while WR JJ Worton has 190 reception yards 318 all-purpose yards and 1 TD.  Worton has 12 catches in only two games after not playing against Akron.

Last but not least, RB Storm Johnson has been the centerpiece of the Knights running game since Latavius Murray left the Akron game with an injured shoulder. Johnson is averaging 4.5 Yds/Carry with 187 yards and 2 TD’s on the year.

Johnson and the Knights will be pleased to welcome Latavius Murray back to the line-up on Saturday as Murray gets his first start since checking out against Akron.

Missouri RB Kendial Lawrence will give the Knights stiff run defense all they can bite off.  He is fast, nimble and incredibly elusive at 5’9” 195lbs.  The senior is averaging 6.5 Yds/Carry with 291 yards and 4 TD’s so far this season.

Mizzou quarterbacks James Franklin and Corbin Berkstresser have combined for 82-134 passes at a completion rate of 61.2% and 5 TD’s.

UCF DB’s will have to be on top of their game to keep up with the Mizzou fast paced air born assault.  UCF free safety Kemal Ishmael already has 27 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries this year.  He has shown a knack for being everywhere, all the time, that has been crucial to prevent giving up the big one.

One look at the Mizzou news wires shows that they are nervous about their trip to Orlando.  The Magic Kingdom might be the place where dreams come true, but for the Tigers, Orlando could be the place that their hopes and dreams for a successful SEC debut are crushed.  Both teams have a lot at steak and the stage is set for one terrific showdown between an SEC rookie and a Big East commit, don’t miss out.