Keys to Victory Over UCF

[JoeKidd]

2 Keys For Winning At UCF

1.) Touchdowns-We have been moving the ball well for the past 4 games, but we must convert ball movement into touchdowns, especially when we get inside the red zone. This cost us the game at Tulane and gave Memphis life up until the 3Q yesterday. UCF's defense gets stingy in the red zone and our ability to punch it in is critical.

2.) Punt/Kickoff Coverage-We can't afford to give UCF good field position after scoring or punting after failed drives. Our punting and kicking has been good as of late and our coverage teams must not let them have momentum with big returns. This was a big part of UCF being able to dominate Marshall yesterday.

If we convert touchdowns in the red-zone and minimize their starting field position making them try to drive the length of the field by running against our front 7 we win this game.

[SMUer]

Score more points than the other team.

[PK]

Score more points than the other team.

Works every time.

[ojaipony]

Sounds like the key is stopping their run game. And, then of course, our offense needs to play like it did in the 4th quarter against Memphis and I like our chances. Also getting a few turnovers will help.

How did we beat them last year? I remember watching the game and know we pretty much dominated that game. How'd we do it? I remember our passing game was pretty good that game.

[mrydel]

We had a couple of big kick returns, one for a td. Got up early and contained their QB. They put in Bortels (sp?)and started moving the ball but too late. Is Bortels still the QB?

[ojaipony]

We had a couple of big kick returns, one for a td. Got up early and contained their QB. They put in Bortels (sp?)and started moving the ball but too late. Is Bortels still the QB?

Thanks.

Yes, Bortels is their QB and it looks like Godfrey is now a WR -- pretty productive one. But, it looks like they are definitely run heavy with Murray being the stud (7.4 yd/c). They had great special teams play against Marshall (returned 2 for TDs I think . . . I don't know if that's the norm or they just had a great game).

We have to get out to a quick start offensively and slow Murray. Then I like our chances. This one could come down to the wire and our guys are going to have to guy it out to win (don't get down if we give up a big play or 2 just go on to the next one . . . stay resilient).

[austinponie]

Last Saturday's highlights against Marshall: (NOTE: don't kick it deep)

http://www.conferenceusa.com/allaccess/

UCF team stats:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... cf-knights

[StallionsModelT]

1. Don't get down big early.

2. Don't turn the ball over.

3. Create turnovers.

4. Get TD's in the red zone. Not FGs

[Mustangs35SMU]

4. Get TD's in the red zone. Not FGs

The most important one of the four imo.

[ponyte]

Little things that have improved. One, the kicking game (especially the punt team) is vastly improved.

Penalties, we are reducing the penalties.

Consistency. We have had multiple long scoring drives. This indicates vast improvement by the entire offense to be more consistent from play to play

Receivers finding the opening. This one is very subtle but key to the success of the O. The receivers are doing a better job getting open.

Shutting down the running game. The D has done a great job all year long against the run and they are only getting better.

Red zone offense. True this area killed us early (and against Tulane) but the last two games the red zone O has done much better.

Clock management. After Tulane, we have flat out done better. And the 9 minute 4th quarter drive against UH was classic ball control domination.

Saturday will be our biggest challenge to date on the road. Sure BU was a big game but there wasn’t a conference championship involved. This game has a championship possibility for the winner.

[DiamondM75]

...
Penalties, we are reducing the penalties.

I think zero was pretty good.

[ponyboy]

Fired up about this challenge.

[Charleston Pony]

we'll need the defense to keep creating turnovers like they have been; will need some good field position instead of hoping for long scoring drives