UCF vs. East Carolina

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Pirates lead the all-time series 8-1, but oddsmakers favor Knights in Conference USA showdown



Quick slant: UCF and East Carolina enter this Conference USA showdown riding nine-game league winning streaks. The winner claims a big advantage on the march to the C-USA championship game, while the loser will most likely be knocked out of contention for the title.

About UCF: The Knights' defense ranks in the top 15 nationally in passing defense, rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense. UCF's rushing attack has helped the team rank No. 2 nationally in time of possession. Dual threat freshman QB Jeff Godfrey improves each week, with his passing skills shining during a 41-14 win over Rice.

About East Carolina: The Pirates went through a coaching change and lost more lettermen than any team in the county, but the reigning Conference USA champions are thriving under first-year coach Ruffin McNeill. Boston College junior transfer QB Dominique Davis has quickly adapted to McNeill's wide open passing attack. The Pirates rank No. 11 nationally in passing offense with 303.3 yards per game. The East Carolina defense has struggled at times, but the explosive offense has helped it claim big wins over N.C. State, Tulsa and Southern Miss.

What to watch: 1. Can UCF's defensive line pressure Davis?

2. The Knights must quickly tackle the Pirates and take away their most dangerous weapon ? yards after the catch.

3. UCF must avoid turnovers, which helped East Carolina win the last two games in the series.

The buzz: East Carolina leads the all-time series against UCF 8-1 and no player on the Knights' roster, including 18 seniors, has ever claimed a win over the Pirates. However, oddsmakers pick UCF to win by seven points.

 

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UCF players fired up for East Carolina game
UCF coach George O'Leary stresses importance of avoiding turnovers


The UCF coaches haven't had to spend any time this week on motivational speeches.

The Knights (5-2, 3-0 in Conference USA) are well aware of what's at stake when they host East Carolina (5-2, 4-0 in C-USA) Saturday. The winner will lead the pack vying for the Conference USA Eastern Division title and a spot in the league championship game.

As if that weren't enough motivation, East Carolina owns an 8-1 all-time lead in the series against UCF. No member of the current Knights' roster, including 18 seniors, has claimed a win against the Pirates.

"Everybody's putting in just a little bit more," senior LB Chance Henderson said. "A little more time in the film room. That extra focus. If you have a team that has beaten you five years in a row, it does leave a sour taste in your mouth never getting that victory. Everybody the importance of this game going through the conference standings. The coaches don't have to say anything. We know the importance as players and we're putting in the extra preparation needed this week."

Quick hits

-- UCF coach George O'Leary said the Knights have to avoid turnovers against the Pirates. Last season, UCF turned the ball over five times and lost 19-14 at East Carolina.

"I think they're a very good football team," O'Leary said of East Carolina. "We've struggled in the past because of turnovers. I look back on the five games we've played. We've had 15 turnovers in five games. They've had 13. And you can't do that. I tell our players that all the time. You can't turn it over against teams that have quick strike ability, which they certainly do."