Cajuns Face 2-1 UCF Knights

The Cajuns will face a very physical UCF football team Saturday night. The UCF Knights will have a size advantage over the smaller Ragin’ Cajuns, and will try to control the game on both sides of the ball.

The UCF Knights will use a very physical running game, led by 6-1, 211-pound junior Kevin Smith. Through the first three games of the season, the big tailback has posted 100-yard rushing performances in all three contests, and ranks third in the nation in rushing yards per game with a 163.33 average even though he sat out the majority of the second half last weekend. The Knight rushing game is averaging 237 yards per game, and 5.0 yards per carry.

Kyle Israel leads the Knight passing attack that is averaging 171 yards per game. Israel has completed 27-of- 59, for 363 yards in three games. He is only completing 45.8 percent of his passes on the year, but will be throwing against a suspect Cajun secondary.

Israel has two large targets to throw the ball to in Kamar Aiken and Rocky Ross. Both receivers have nine receptions on the year, but Aiken is averaging 20.4 yards per catch. Both Aiken and A.J. Guyton with eight receptions are true freshmen.

The Knights have a solid offensive line led by 6-2, 301 senior center Kyle Smith and 6-3, 324 senior right tackle Josh Sitton.

Blake Clingan is an outstanding punter for the Knights; he is averaging 45.5 yards per punt. Clingan has punted 15 times this year, with 3 fair catches and 20 downed inside the 20 yard line.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Knights have good size and speed which has led to 19 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. UCF will use the linebackers and safeties in blitz packages putting pressure on opponent’s offenses. Big 6-4, 305-pound DT Leger Douzable is a force in the middle for the knight rush defense. Safety Jason Venson leads the defense with 30 tackles, along with linebacker Lawrence Young with 17 tackles on the year. The Knights defense is allowing 148 yards per game rushing on 4.0 yards per rush. Opponents are averaging 234 yards per game passing against the Knights defense, at a 61 percent completion rate and 6 touchdowns.


Keys to the game for Cajuns

The Cajuns must control the clock with the running game. If the Knights are able to slow the Cajun running game and force Desormeaux to pass; the Knights will use their blitz packages often. The Cajun offense will once again face poor field position against the Knight punting game. The Cajuns must be patient and not turn the ball over.

The defense will once again have to stunt and force the Knights to throw the underneath passing routes. The Cajuns must create some turnovers and not allowing the big plays down the field.

Offense

WR 5 Rocky Ross 6-2 198 Jr.
80 Sidney Haynes 6-4 210 Fr.
LT 78 Patrick Brown 6-5 290 So.
62 Mike Lavoie 6-5 294 Jr.*
LG 66 Jeramy DeVane 6-3 290 So.
65 Cliff McCray 6-2 290 Fr.
C 79 Kyle Smith 6-2 301 Sr.
73 Ian Bustillo 6-2 304 So.*
RG 63 L.J. Anderson 6-3 292 Jr.*
68 Cody Minnich 6-3 291 So.*
RT 70 Josh Sitton 6-3 324 Sr.
76 Jah Reid 6-7 313 Fr.*
TE 85 Mike Merritt 6-3 270 Sr.*
84 Corey Rabazinski or 6-3 243 So.
89 Dominic Ignelzi 6-4 265 Sr.
QB 7 Kyle Israel 6-2 223 Sr.
17 Joe Weatherford or 6-4 200 Fr.
2 Michael Greco 6-3 220 So.*
TB 24 Kevin Smith 6-1 211 Jr.
30 Phillip Smith 6-1 188 So.
FB 34 Neil Bittong 6-0 263 Sr.*
46 Ricky Kay 6-3 230 Fr.
WR 81 Kamar Aiken 6-2 205 Fr.
3 A.J. Guyton 5-11 184 Fr.


Defense

LE 91 Leger Douzable 6-4 295 Sr.
71 Emeka Okammor 6-0 263 Sr.
LT 98 Torrell Johnson 6-3 335 So.
92 Rex Hill 6-2 310 Sr.
RT 74 Keith Shologan 6-2 275 Jr.
95 Travis Timmons 6-4 300 So.
RE 49 Bruce Miller 6-2 245 Fr.*
44 Antonio Wallace 6-2 260 Jr.
OLB 38 Derrick Hallman or 6-0 210 Fr.
14 Steven Baker 6-3 215 Sr.*
MLB 54 Chance Henderson 6-1 240 So.
14 Steven Baker 6-3 215 Sr.*
OLB 59 Cory Hogue or 6-1 233 Jr.
57 Lawrence Young 6-0 215 Fr.
FS 45 Jason Venson 5-10 212 Jr.*
37 Breon Rogers 6-3 198 Jr.
SS 29 Sha’reff Rashad 6-0 200 Jr.*
36 Augustus Ashley 5-11 192 Jr.*
LC 31 Johnell Neal 5-11 180 Jr.*
22 Emery Allen 5-9 173 So.
RC 19 Joe Burnett 5-11 180 Jr.
20 Darin Baldwin 6-0 190 Fr.

Specialists

PK 4 Michael Torres 5-9 229 Sr.*
42 Jake Howard 6-0 180 Jr.
H 5 Rocky Ross 6-2 198 Jr.
P 41 Blake Clingan 6-3 220 Fr.
4 Michael Torres 5-9 229 Sr.*
LS 61 Michael Buscemi 6-0 196 Sr.*
60 Ryan Khawly 6-0 214 Fr.*
KR 22 Emery Allen 5-9 172 So.
20 Darin Baldwin 6-0 190 Fr.
PR 19 Joe Burnett 5-11 180 Jr.
45 Jason Venson 5-10 212 Jr.*