Konference Kombat: UCF VS. UTEP

Uh…What? Where? When?: University of Central Florida Knights vs. University of Texas at El Paso Miners. Brighthouse Stadium, Orlando, Florida. Saturday, November 25th   @ 7:00 PM

UCF vs. UTEP in November 2007. This year, might be a little less packed.

Overall Record: Knights 1, Golden Eagles 1 (2007-2008)

Last Meeting: 09/27/2008 - Knights lose , 13-58

St. Patty’s. You’re doing it wrong.

Opponent’s weirdest school tradition: Texas College of Mines Day. How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Eat tons of good Irish food? Drink a lot of green beer? Chances are, you probably don’t remember anyway. However, the folks at UTEP have an interesting way of celebrating; apparently, St. Patrick is not only the patron saint of raging your face off, but he’s also the patron saint of engineering. Since 1920, UTEP’s geological and engineering school put their own spin on St. Patty’s. Activities range from having picnics, to cleaning arroyo plants on campus and whitewashing the letters on the football stadium’s sign. St. Patrick’s day….you guys are doing it wrong.

Former hottest body in student body:The handy lady. Usually every week we take this time to creep on our opponent’s hottest alumna. However, we had trouble finding UTEP’s biggest babe. That’s when we recalled this gem from last year’s UTEP-UT game: A UTEP sweet heart giving a hand to her man during the game. We don’t know who you are or what you’re doing these days, but we salute you for your bravery, loyalty and your ability to turn the entire country into voyeurs. This one’s for you, manual sex UTEP girl. 

Outlook: Wow. A tough ride it’s been for the Knights this year, one that comes to a close on Friday night. After setting school records, winning conference and Liberty Bowl titles and showing tons of promise for years to come, UCF fell flat this season. A sputtering offense, mounds of penalties and turnovers and plenty of bad luck was enough to have the UCF Nation engaging in a giant collective face palm for most of the season. With no bowl game in sight or any opportunity to play for a conference title, the Knights find themselves hosting an able and still bowl-eligible UTEP team. UTEP currently sits at 5-6 after coming off a 57-28 spanking at the hands of Tulsa last week. 

Key to victory: UTEP is a pretty middle of the field team, ranking anywhere between 4th and 9th in the conference in major offensive statistics. Their leading passer, Nick Lamaison, ranks fifth in CUSA in passing yards but missed last weeks game due to injury. That left the Miners with sophomore Carson Meger, who couldn’t find enough to top Tulsa. Lamaison may not be able to play Friday night either, leaving Meger with a potential second straight start, something UCF needs to capitalize on. UTEP also has a significant defensive injury in TraVaun Nixon, who leads the team in interceptions. Injuries or not, UCF is going to have to pull it together. Seeing the senior class off with a W at the BH is critical; while it may be just a moral victory, seeing some promise for next year is what Orlando and UCF needs. Whether it’s Bortles, Godfrey or anyone else that steps it up to end this season on a high note, the Knights need it. Badly.



Stephen DeAugustino is an Orlando blogger that loves him some writing, digital media, sports and entertainment.
He also loves Steven Seagal movies, being silly in public and staying hydrated.
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