Published Sep 23, 2011
Game Preview: UCF vs. BYU
Chris Holland
UCFSports.com Football Analyst
The University of Central Florida Knights (2-1) arrive in Provo, Utah after losing to the Florida International Golden Panthers 17-10 in Miami. Jeff Godfrey fumbled the ball deep in FIU territory late in the second half, and the Panthers returned it for a touchdown. Linebacker Jonathan Davis amassed nine tackles in the losing effort.
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The Brigam Young University Cougars (1-2) host the Knights after losing to arch rival Utah 54-10 in the Cougars' season opening home game in Provo, Utah. Quarterback Jake Heaps threw his lone touchdown pass to Ross Apo to take a 10-7 lead late in the second quarter, but also threw a pick and fumbled twice.
More about BYU
Series Record: This is the first meeting between the schools.
Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall (57-23, all at BYU) is in his 7th season as BYU head coach. Mendenhall has lead the Cougars to four consectutive double-digit winning seasons from 2006 to 2009, but finished with only 7 wins in 2010. While defensive coordinator at the University of New Mexico, Bronco help mentor NFL All Pro Brian Urlacher.
Team Star: Jake Heaps, a sophomore, was the top rated quaterback nationally in the 2010 recruiting class out of Skyline HS in Sammamish, Washington. He started off his freshman year slow, but finished by leading the Cougars to a bowl game win over UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl. He completed his freshman year with 15 touchdown passes and 2,316 yards.
Offensive Style: Multiple set.
Defensive Style: 3-4.
Statistical Leaders
UCF
Passing: QB Jeff Godfrey 43-62, 69.4% Comp, 468 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Rushing: RB Ronnie Weaver 28 attempts, 160 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: WR Quincy McDuffie 13 receptions, 125 yards, 0 TD
Tackles: ( tied ) MLB Josh Linam 18 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 sack, Jon Davis 18 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks
Sacks: WLB Jon Davis, 2 sacks
Interceptions: ( tied ) CB Josh Robinson, MLB Josh Linam, CB AJ Bouye
BYU
Passing: QB Jake Heaps 73-126, 67.9 comp % 722 yards 3 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: RB JJ Di Luigi 33 att, 126 yards, 3.8 avg/rush, 0 TD
Receiving: WR Ross Apo 12 receptions, 140 yards, 11.7 avg/rec , 3 TD
Tackles: DB Daniel Sorensen, 18 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery
Sacks: No sacks
Interceptions: ( tied ) DB Daniel Sorensen, DB Travis Uale, LB Kyle Van Noy, 1 INT
Key Statistics
-BYU's yards per pass attempt differential: -0.5
-UCF's YPPAD: + 4.5
-UCF's pass/run ratio 36/64
-BYU's pass/run ratio 64/36
-BYU is 46th in total defense, but only 83rd in scoring defense.
-UCF is ranked 2nd in total defense, and 3rd in scoring defense.
Out of 54 first downs this year for the Cougs, only 8 have been attained by running the ball.
Not counting any potential bowl games, LaVell Edwards Stadium (63,725) will be the largest stadium that the Knights play in this year.
Two Key Matchups
  • Jeff Godfrey vs. BYU blitzes. FIU showed in the game last week that constant blitzing can get to Jeff Godfrey if done relentlessly. The Panthers came from the outside, and the inside. It's a gamble that Godfrey will not find the open reciever or scramble out of trouble for a first down on his own. Houston, SMU and Georgia, the last three teams that UCF faced that used a 3-4 base defense, all tried to blitz to varying degrees of success. Georgia didn't sack or record a QB hurry, but did injure Godfrey with a late hit. SMU, a defense closer to BYU's style of defense, recorded 4 sacks and 2 hurries and got 2 interceptions, but Godfrey also ran for timely first down scrambles. A dependable reciever could be the key difference Friday night.
  • BYU LT Matt Reynolds vs. UCF DE's Darius Nall/Toby Jackson. Matt Reynolds is one of the best offensive tackles in the country, and projected to go in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. The 6-6, 305 pound tackle is mobile and strong, and probably the best competition Nall and Jackson will see this year. Neither defensive end has had a great game yet, but facing an offense that has yet to establish the run effectively is an ideal situation to showcase their pass rushing skills. This matchup will be very fun to watch.
    • What to Look For
    The New Punt Returner. After a few close calls over the last two games, Josh Robinson has been relieved of punt returner duties. J.J. Worton and A.J. Guyton are the two players who look to replace Robinson. Worton has already fielded a few punts this year (officially returning only one for 10 yards ), and Guyton fielded punts for much of 2009 and the first half of 2010, with a lifetime average of 10.85 yards per return, and a long of 33 yards.
    BYU's New Offense. The Cougars are moving from a more spread-based attack to a more pro-style offense that features Jake Heaps taking the snap from under center more frequently than past BYU offenses have done.
    What's on the Line
    UCF: Righting the ship after a devastating loss to FIU, and knocking off a name opponent on national television.
    BYU: Similarly, boucing back after a devastating blowout loss to Utah.
    The Line
    BYU is favored by 2.0.