Welcome to this edition of Orlando Sports Central Highlights…

– Orlando Magic Get New Look –

Fans will either grow to love it or hate it. Either way, the Orlando Magic will sport at bit of a new look this fall when they open the new Amway Center.

From the Magic: The new logo incorporates the Magic’s current jersey wordmark, giving a more integrated look.  It also continues the team’s colors with the Magic blue, Magic black and Magic silver.  The updated look includes the team’s current secondary logo with the iconic star ball for a smooth transition from old to new, building on the heritage and history of the Magic from its birth in 1989.

“This new logo signifies the beginning of a new era of excellence for the Orlando Magic and our fans,” said Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins. “We are excited about where our team is and the direction we are headed as we build on the legend already created and look forward to what the future holds.”

– UCF’s Culpepper Back In Action –

If all goes well between now and then, former UCF quarterback Daunte Culpepper will be back in the Florida Citrus Bowl on Thursday, Oct. 21 with his new football team, the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. The Mountain Lions will be in Orlando as visitors of the Florida Tuskers.

The 1998 All-American and Sammy Baugh Trophy recipient has reunited with two of his former coaches. Culpepper’s first NFL head coach, Dennis Green, is entering his second season, as is offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek, who coached him as a Golden Knight.

Green selected Culpepper with the 11th pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. After three trips to the Pro Bowl while with the Minnesota Vikings, he later wound up floating between the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions.

Following 95 career NFL starts with 23,208 passing yards, 146 touchdowns and 101 interceptions, his desire to continue playing the game of football prompted the reunion.

“When the opportunity came for me to sign with the UFL and play for coach Green in Sacramento I could not resist,” said Culpepper.

He’s also looking forward to teaming back up with Kruczek, whose offense helped Culpepper become just the third player in NCAA history to pass for more than 10,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 in a career. As a Knight, Culpepper passed for 11,412 career yards with 84 touchdowns.

After being named the starter in Minnesota in 2000, he led the Vikings to a 7-0 mark during a season that ended in an NFC Championship Game loss to the New York Giants, who were coached by Las Vegas Locos Head Coach Jim Fassel.

– UCF’s Coward An Outdoor All-American –

Of the three UCF track and field athletes competing at nationals this past weekend, it was sophomore Jackie Coward who came away with the program’s best-ever showing.

Coward became the first Knight to earn NCAA Outdoor All-American honors when she qualified fourth for the 100-meter hurdles at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. After clocking in at 13.04 seconds to qualify, she ran that same time in the finals for fifth place overall. Virginia Tech’s Queen Quedith Harrison won the title at 12.67.

By advancing to the championship stage, Coward became a two-time All-American. She previously advanced to the finals of the 60-meter hurdles at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships.

Sophomore Sheila Paul (100-meter dash) and freshman Sonnisha Williams (long jump) also competed on the campus of the University of Oregon but did not advance to championship contention.

– Winter Park FHSAA All-Sports Champs –

Continuing its tradition of winning, the boys and girls athletic programs at Winter Park High School swept the Class 6A Florida High School Athletic Association Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup All-Sports Awards for the 2009-10 school year.

The Wildcats, with 1,173 total points, turned in an impressive margin of victory over Dr. Phillips (836.5) in the overall standings.

More details on standings for all classifications are available at the FHSAA site.

– Orlando Magic Youth Basketball Camps –

The Orlando Magic is hosting youth basketball camps throughout Central Florida this summer designed for boys and girls of all skill levels ages 7-16. While many camp dates are already sold out, limited space is still available for a number of others.

Each camp session offers instruction provided by the National Basketball Academy and other top area coaches offering personalized attention, drills, skill development, live games and an individual player evaluation.

All participants receive an official camp T-shirt and headband, a full-size Magic basketball, a ticket to a 2010-11 Orlando Magic home game in the new Amway Center, daily giveaways, prizes, awards and other trivia, contests and games. Guest appearances by Magic players are subject to availability.

–– Remaining Dates/Locations –

– June 21-25 at Lake Mary Preparatory School – 650 Rantoul Lane, Lake Mary 32746

– June 21-25 at 24 Hour Fitness – 15 West Crystal Lake Dr., Orlando 32806

– June 28-July 2 at Orlando Sports Center (Vince Carter’s Orlando Magic Basketball Camp) – 6700 Kingspointe Parkway, Orlando 32819

– July 5-9 at The First Academy – 2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando 32805

– July 5-9 at Celebration School K-8 – 1809 Celebration Blvd., Celebration 34747

– July 5-9 at Warner University (Jason Williams’ 2010 Overnight Basketball Camp) – 13895 Highway 27, Lake Wales 33859

– July 12-16 at Willow Creek Church – 4725 East Lake Drive, Winter Springs 32708

– July 12-16 at Lake Mary Preparatory School – 650 Rantoul Lane, Lake Mary 32746

– July 19-23 at Pro-Health and Fitness Center – 8705 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne 32940

– August 2-6 at Orlando Christian Prep – 500 South Semoran Blvd., Orlando 32807

– August 2-6 at Lyman High School – 865 S. Ronald Regan Blvd., Longwood 32750

– August 9-13 at Magic Practice Court – RDV Sportsplex at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd, Orlando 32810

– August 9-13 at Bolles Middle School – 7400 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville 32217

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

The nose tackle became the second-highest UCF draft pick ever and first player taken from Conference USA on Friday when he was selected with the ninth pick in the second round.

“I don’t play a glory position. So sometimes guys at my position get overlooked and I feel like I was a bit overlooked this year,” said Troup of being an overshadowed pick. ”For the Bills to grab me at the beginning of the second round is a great feeling and that tells me that somebody is paying attention to all the hard work that I’m putting in and my great work ethic.”

He evidently feels there is still much to prove.

“I love the work. If I feel like anybody is working harder than me, then I’m mad at myself,” said Troup. “I work all day, every day. You can catch me up at two in the morning running two miles, so I don’t shy away from hard work at all.”

Despite battling constant double teams throughout his career, Troup finished with 105 tackles, of which 24 went for loss, in 47 games (39 starts).

Former UCF quarterback Daunte Culpepper is the highest Knight to have ever been selected in the draft as he was taken No. 11 overall in 1999 by the Minnesota Vikings. UCF has had players taken in the NFL Draft in each of the past five years and in eight of the past nine drafts overall.

– Photos of Troup in the East-West Shrine Game by Scott McCall –

“We had a chance to play everybody pretty much right from the first quarter on,” said head coach George O’Leary afterwards.

“We rolled the first, second and third units out there. I thought some kids really took an opportunity when they had the chance to,” he said. “I was pleased with the quarterback play. I thought the execution [was good], we did not have a lot of penalties out there. Overall, I was pleased with the scrimmage and what took place.”

Junior wideout A.J Guyton (4 receptions for 62 yards) scored on a 20-yard pass from junior quarterback Rob Calabrese in the first quarter and sophomore Brandon Kelly (9 carries for 45 yards) took a 2-yard carry into the end zone near the end of the second quarter. Calabrese (7 carries for 90 yards) returned in the second half to go 66 yards on the ground for a touchdown early in the third before senior Darin Baldwin picked off freshman Jeffrey Godfrey and went the other way for 21-yards and a score. Godfrey (9 carries for 45 yards) hit paydirt on a 24-yard run in the fourth.

UCF’s offense rushed for 219 yards and passed for 261 yards on the day. Calabrese went 11-of-17 for 126 yards; Godfrey went 8-of-14 for 55 yards and two interceptions; and L.D. Crow – a junior transfer from Stanford – went 8-of-13 for 80 yards and an interception. Sophomore wide receiver Quincy McDuffie caught four passes for 34 yards.

“I thought all three quarterbacks made some plays and I was pleased with that,” said O’Leary.

On defense, senior Derrick Hallman led the team with seven tackles (one-for-loss) while senior Bruce Miller had two sacks. Sophomore Kevin Garvy also had a sack. Along with Baldwin, senior Justin Boddie (two pass break-ups) and sophomore Kemal Ishmael intercepted passes.

Blake Clingan averaged 47 yards per punt on three attempts with a long of 50 yards.

Among the many alumni returning to spend time with fans beforehand were Brandon Marshall, Joe Burnett, Asante Samuel, Torell Troup, Paul Carrington, Jimmy Fryzel and Marquette Smith.

With spring practices winding down, the Knights cap off workouts with the annual spring football game this Saturday as players position themselves on the depth chart entering the 2010 season.

The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. with adult tickets available for $5 each. Kids 17-and-under will be admitted free of charge.

But there’s more.

The day gets started with a season-ticket holder open house at Bright House Networks Stadium (through Gate 14) between 9 a.m.-12 noon. While there, fans will be treated to the UCF Football Legends Autograph Session from 10:30-11:45 a.m.

Among the alumni expected to be on hand to greet fans are Kevin Smith, Josh Sitton, Torell Troup, Paul Carrington, Elgin Davis, Jimmy Fryzel, Doug Gabriel, Mike Gruttadauria, Alex Haynes, Paul Miranda, Elton Patterson, Marquette Smith and more.

The autograph session is free for UCF Spring Game ticket holders.

Following the game the UCF Pigskin Barbecue & Fan Day will take place at the UCF football practice fields from 3-6 p.m. Fans will have the chance to dine with their favorite Knights and get autographs from current members of the team.

For more info on this weekend’s events visit UCF Athletics or call the ticket office at 407-823-1000.

On Thursday, the 2010 UCF Knights football schedule was released. Along with the standard eight matchups against Conference USA opponents, the season opens with games against four non-conference teams.

On Sept. 4, Bright House Networks Stadium hosts the opener against Division-IAA’s South Dakota before NC State of the Atlantic Coast Conference comes to town over Family Weekend on Sept. 11.

The Knights are then on the road at Buffalo (Mid-American Conference) on Sept. 18 and Kansas State (Big-12) on Sept. 25.

UCF opens C-USA play on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at home against UAB. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. The annual Homecoming game will be played against Rice (Oct. 23) with East Carolina (Oct. 30) and Southern Miss (Nov. 13) rounding out the home slate.

National television audiences will see UCF on the road against Marshall on Wednesday, Oct. 13 and at Houston on Friday, Nov. 5. The schedule closes on the road against Tulane (Nov. 20) and Memphis (Nov. 27).

– 2010 UCF Football Schedule –

DATE                     OPPONENT

Sat. Sept. 4          SOUTH DAKOTA

Sat. Sept. 11        NC STATE

Sat. Sept. 18         at Buffalo

Sat. Sept. 25         at Kansas State

Wed. Oct. 6         UAB*

Wed. Oct. 13         at Marshall*

Sat. Oct. 23         RICE*

Sat. Oct. 30         EAST CAROLINA*

Fri. Nov. 5             at Houston*

Sat. Nov. 13         SOUTHERN MISS*

Sat. Nov. 20          at Tulane*

Sat. Nov. 27          at Memphis*

Sat. Dec. 4            Conference USA Championship Game*

With 23 signees from three states among the 2010 recruiting class, the UCF Knights football program is hoping this crop of student-athletes will help raise the bar for years to come.

Among those becoming Knights under head coach George O’Leary during Wednesday’s National Signing Day were nine from Miami-Dade County; including five from Class 6A state runner-up Miami Central High School.

There were 18 signings in all that took place on Wednesday as five student-athletes had already enrolled at the school in January for the current semester.

Commitments from the Central Florida area included quarterback Blake Bortles (Oviedo High School), defensive tackle E.J. Dunston (Edgewater High School), defensive tackle Andrew Rice (Lake Mary High School), and defensive back Jordan Ozerities and wide receiver Cornelius Whitehead, both out of Mount Dora High School.

Below is a look at the 2010 class, courtesy of UCF Athletic Department.

– Remaining Close to Home –

Blake Bortles (Photo by Scott McCall)

Blake Bortles, QB, 6-4, 222, Oviedo, Fla. / Oviedo

Played for coach Wes Allen at Oviedo High School…Set Seminole County record with 5,576 career passing yards and 53 touchdowns… Ranked number eight in the Orlando Sentinel Central Florida Top 100 as a senior… A third-team all-state pick in 2008… Helped team to a 9-2 record senior year… Twice named all-county…Completed 151-of-233 passes for 2,211 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a senior…The MVP of the Central Florida All-Star Game…As a junior, threw for 2,400 yards and 24 touchdowns with nine interceptions while also running for 250 yards…Team was district champions in 2007 and 2009…Was also recruited by Purdue, Colorado State, Kentucky, Tulane and Western Kentucky.

E.J. Dunston, DT, 6-2, 308, Eatonville, Fla. / Edgewater

Played for coach William Gierke at Edgewater High School…Enrolled for classes in January…Made 75 tackles and five sacks as a senior and was named an all-star…Recorded 100 tackles with 10 sacks as a junior and 50 tackles with five sacks as a sophomore…Helped Edgewater to district and regional championships as a sophomore and senior…Teammate of current Knights Quincy McDuffie and Henry Wright at Edgewater…Was also recruited by Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia and Duke.

Andrew Rice, DT, 6-1, 280, Lake Mary, Fla. / Lake Mary

Played for coach Scott Perry at Lake Mary High School… Ranked amongst the top 20 players in Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel…Named all-conference in 2008 and 2009…Named Lake Mary’s Best Defensive Lineman…Made 59 tackles as a senior with 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles…Had 42 tackles and four sacks as a junior…Conference champion in wrestling…Named to the honor roll and won the Citizenship Award…Was also recruited by Purdue, Wake Forest, Iowa State, Colorado State, New Mexico, FIU, FAU and Troy.

Jordan Ozerities, DB, 5-10, 185, Mount Dora, Fla. / Mount Dora

Played for coach Chad Grabowski at Mount Dora High School… Enrolled for classes in January…Named first-team All-Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel…A four-time all-area and all-county pick…Named honorable mention all-state as a sophomore…Played in the Central Florida All-Star Game…Was also recruited by Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Stanford and Tulsa.

Cornelius Whitehead, WR, 6-1, 175, Mount Dora, Fla. / Mount Dora

Played for coach Chad Grabowski at Mount Dora High School… Enrolled for classes in January…Named all-state as a senior…Ranked amongst the top 50 players in Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel…Scored 21 touchdowns as a junior with over 900 combined receiving and rushing yards…Was also recruited by Florida, Florida State, Georgia and South Carolina.

– The Miami Central Five –

Jeffrey Godfrey, QB, 5-11, 167, Miami, Fla. / Miami Central

Played for coach Telly Lockette at Miami Central High School…Team was 12-2 in 2009, won the county championship and advanced to the FHSAA state semifinals for 6A… Enrolled for classes in January…Florida’s 6A Player of the Year…Named “Mr. Dade Football”…Played in the annual Dade-Broward All-Star Game…All-Dade four times…The leading passer in Miami-Dade County history with 7,251 yards, breaking the mark of Miami Northwestern’s Jacory Harris…Rated as the top quarterback in Florida and amongst the nation’s top 10 dual threat quarterbacks…Threw for 2,758 yards as a senior with 36 touchdowns…Also recruited by Florida State, Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, USF and FIU.

Jose Jose, DL, 6-2, 355, Miami, Fla. / Miami Central

Played for coach Telly Lockette at Miami Central High School…Team was 12-2 in 2009, won the county championship and advanced to the FHSAA state semifinals for 6A…Twice named All-Dade County…Played at Booker T. Washington as a junior and was named first-team all-state…Played in the U.S.A. vs. the World All-Star Game…Ranked amongst the top 20 offensive linemen in the state by Bill Buchalter…Was also recruited by Florida, Miami, Rutgers, Tennessee, West Virginia and USF.

Jamar McClain, DB, 5-10, 175, Carol City, Fla. / Miami Central

Played for coach Telly Lockette at Miami Central High School…Team was 12-2 in 2009, won the county championship and advanced to the FHSAA state semifinals for 6A…Named to the Miami Herald All-Dade County team…Had 46 solo tackles and five interceptions as a senior…As a junior, intercepted a pair of passes and had 430 receiving yards…Also made three interceptions as a sophomore…Was also recruited by Auburn and Memphis.

Joshua Reese, WR, 6-1, 182, Miami, Fla. / Miami Central

Played for coach Telly Lockette at Miami Central High School…Team was 12-2 in 2009, won the county championship and advanced to the FHSAA state semifinals for 6A…A two-time all-state pick who has been ranked amongst the top 25 recruits in Florida and the top 150 recruits in the nation…Named to the Miami Herald All-Dade County team in 2008 and 2009…The top receiver in Miami-Dade County, had 43 catches as a senior for 820 yards and eight touchdowns and 40 grabs as a junior for 793 yards and 10 touchdowns…Played in the Dade-Broward All-Star Game and the U.S.A. vs. the World All-Star Game…Also recruited by Florida, Florida State, Nebraska, USF, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

LeBranden Richardson, DE, 6-2, 223, Miami, Fla. / Miami Central

Played for coach Telly Lockette at Miami Central High School…Team was 12-2 in 2009, won the county championship and advanced to the FHSAA state semifinals for 6A… Led Dade County in sacks and was named to the Miami Herald’s All-Dade team…Played in the annual Dade-Broward All-Star Game…Played in the U.S.A. vs. the World game…Had 92 tackles with 28 tacks, 30 tackles for loss, and nine forced fumbles…Was honorable mention all-conference at Hialeah High School in 2007 and 2008… Was also recruited by North Carolina.

– More Florida Commits –

Jordan McCray, OL, 6-4, 290, Miami, Fla. / Southridge

Played for coach Patrick Burrows at Southridge High School…Older brother, Cliff, played at UCF and was starting left guard in 2009…Team went undefeated in the 2009 regular season, winning the district championship, before losing in the state playoffs…Named All-Dade County as a senior by the Miami Herald after making 67 pancake blocks and not allowing a sack…Started 10 games as both a sophomore and a junior…Also qualified for the 6A state wrestling tournament as a sophomore…Member of the National Honors Society…Was also recruited by USF, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Rutgers, Miami, Illinois, Marshall and FAU.

Justin McCray, OL, 6-4, 290, Miami, Fla. / Southridge

Played for coach Patrick Burrows at Southridge High School…Older brother, Cliff, played at UCF and was starting left guard in 2009…Team went undefeated in the 2009 regular season, winning the district championship, before losing in the state playoffs…Named to the Miami Herald All-Dade County team as a senior for making 63 pancake blocks and not allowing a sack…Was district champion in wrestling as both a sophomore and junior…Member of the National Honors Society…Was also recruited by USF, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Rutgers, Miami, Illinois, Marshall and FAU.

Perry Meiklejohn, OL, 6-3, 306, Miami, Fla. / Westminster Christian

Played for coach Joe Mira at Westminster Christian… Enrolled for classes in January…Twice named All-Dade County…Team went 10-0 as a senior during the regular season and won the district championship…Was also recruited by Tennessee State.

Zach Soto, OL, 6-6, 278, Miami, Fla. / Monsignor Pace

Played for coach Alvin Slaughter at Monsignor Pace High School…Named All-Dade County and played in the Dade-Broward All-Star Game…Also played in the Team USA vs. Hawaii All-Star Game…Made 64 pancake blocks as a senior after recording 55 as a sophomore…Named Dade County Scholar Athlete of the Year…Helped Monsignor Pace to a 2008 district and regional championship and a berth in the state semifinals…Also recruited by Mississippi State, Duke, FAU and Buffalo.

Torrian Wilson, OL, 6-4, 315, Miami, Fla. / Miami Northwestern

Played for coach Billy Rolle at Miami Northwestern High School…Rated as the eighth best offensive guard in the nation by Rivals.com…Was selected for the Under Armor All-American Game…A first-team all-state pick and an All-Dade County selection as well…Made 120 pancake blocks as a junior alone and recorded four sacks on defense…Was also recruited by Stanford, Louisville, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Michigan and USF.

Woodley Cadet, DB, 6-2, 206, Loxahatchee, Fla. / Seminole Ridge

Played for coach Matt Dickman at Seminole Ridge High School…Made 45 tackles (37 solo) as a senior with four deflected passes and an interception…Named first-team all-district, all-conference and all-area by both the Palm Beach Post and Sun Sentinel…Also played some at wide receiver…Made 32 tackles as a junior, 24 of them solos, with four interceptions to earn all-conference honors…Named to Bill Buchalter’s Florida Top 100 list…Also recruited by Illinois, Indiana, Wake Forest and FAU.

– Five From Georgia –

Jordan Akins, WR, 6-4, 202, McDonough, Ga. / Union Grove

Played for coach Steven Collins at Union Grove High School…An all-state selection in 2009 as a senior…Attended Strong Rock Christian as a junior and passed for 823 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for 784 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn all-state honors…Named all-conference as a sophomore…Also considered a pro prospect in baseball as a centerfielder…Was also recruited by Georgia, LSU, Georgia Tech and Tennessee.

Quenton Brown, DE, 6-3, 215, Lilburn, Ga. / Tucker

Played for coach Franklin Stephens at Tucker High School… Helped Tucker to a 4A State Championship at 14-1…Made 68 tackles, 10 sacks and blocked five kicks as a senior…Recorded 67 tackles as a junior, including nine sacks and eight tackles for loss, while also catching 30 passes as a tight end for 400 yards and four touchdowns…Caught 27 more passes as a sophomore for 490 yards and four scores…Played in the North-South All-Star Game…Member of the National Honors Society…Tucker is also alma mater of current Knights Jonathan Davis and A.J. Bouye…Also recruited by Miami, Ole Miss, Michigan State, West Virginia and Marshall.

Tony Jacob, OL, 6-8, 310, Atlanta, Ga. / Westlake

Played for coach Gregory Minnis at Westlake High School…Named first-team all-region as a senior…Had 31 pancake blocks in 2009 and graded out at 86-percent…A team co-captain who helped Westlake to the 2009 state playoffs…Earned Westlake basketball’s Rebound and Character Award as a junior on a team ranked in the national Top 25…An honor roll student and perfect attendance award recipient…Was also recruited by Alabama, Oklahoma State, Indiana, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

Cody Ralston, LB, 6-2, 196, Calhoun, Ga. / Calhoun

Played for coach Hal Lamb at Calhoun High School…Was an honorable mention all-state pick for all classifications and a second-team all-state 2A pick…Missed much of 2009 due to injury but had 27 tackles, including two TFLs…Mad e42 tackles as a junior with four tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a pair of touchdowns…Earned the team’s Captain’s Award in 2009 and the Iron man Award in 2008…Calhoun was the four-time regional champion and was twice the state runner-up….Was also recruited by Vanderbilt, Purdue and Middle Tennessee.

Justin Tukes, TE, 6-5, 230, Sylvester, Ga. / Worth County

Played for coach Scotty Ward at Worth County High School…Named all-region and all-metro as a senior…Selected for the Georgia vs. Florida Border War All-Star Game…Had 16 catches as a senior for 198 yards with three touchdowns…Also blocked a punt and made 14 tackles…Named to the all-region team as a sophomore and a junior as well…Caught a total of 22 passes as a sophomore and a junior combined for six touchdowns while also recording a total of 24 pancake blocks…Was also recruited by Louisville, UAB, Georgia State and Jacksonville State.

– Two From South Carolina –

Davious Chestnut, DB, 6-1, 185, Hemingway, S.C. / Carver’s Bay

Played for coach James Thompson at Carvers Bay High School…Helped team to Lower State Championship in 2007 and 2008 and a 33-4 overall record from 2007-09…Twice named to the South Carolina all-state team…Named all-region in 2009 at both defensive back and running back…Thrice named all-region as a defensive back…Team MVP…Played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas…On defense he led the team with three interceptions and had 48 tackles…Rushed for 1,078 yards with 18 touchdowns as a senior while making 68 tackles and four interceptions on defense.

Clayton Geathers, DB, 6-2, 190, Georgetown, S.C. / Carver’s Bay

Played for coach James Thompson at Carvers Bay High School… Helped team to Lower State Championship in 2007 and 2008 and a 33-4 overall record from 2007-09 …Named all-state as a defensive back in 2009 and as a running back in 2008…Was the team’s Offensive MVP as a junior, rushing for over 1,500 yards with 23 touchdowns while also making four interceptions on defense…A three-time all-region pick…Played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas…Was also recruited by South Carolina and Georgia.

– More UCF Knights Recruiting –

Bleacher Report

Fire Coach O’Leary

Inside Knights

UCF Sports

ESPN

SI.com

The AFC evened up the all-time series at 20 apiece with a 41-34 win.

Marshall caught a pass from Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, the game’s MVP, with 6:59 remaining in the first quarter and carried Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown to put the AFC up 14-3.

He was inserted into the starting lineup as a replacement for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Marshall, a Winter Park native who attended Lake Howell High School, set an NFL record for receptions against the Colts in December by hauling in 21 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Samuel broke up three passes intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco from Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young. The first came along the sideline with over two minutes to go in the first quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Samuel got his hand on a pass in the end zone to break up a pass, then broke up another on a short route before intercepting Young over the middle inside the five-yard line and returning it just short of midfield.

Samuel finished the regular season tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with nine picks along with Jarius Byrd of the Buffalo Bills, Darren Sharper of the New Orleans Saints and Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers. He also closed out 2009 with 25 passes defended for seventh-best in the league.

UCF was one of only six college football programs to have multiple Pro Bowl starters in this year’s game. Led by the University of Miami with five starters, California (3), Texas (2), NC State (2) and Kent State (2) also had more than one alum in the starting lineup on Sunday.

– More Pro Bowl Coverage –

Stats and video at NFL.com

With a 45-24 thumping, the UCF Knights conclude another season of highs and lows courtesy of a new offensive look that was supposed to open things up a bit, and plenty of talent returning on the defensive side of the ball.

Needless to say, it took some time to get moving in the right direction. Among the early obstacles were a suspect offensive line and inexperience in the defensive backfield. And those deficiencies reappeared at the absolute worst time, against a Big East team that was supposed to be the stepping-stone into primetime for UCF.

UCF's A.J. Guyton (Photo by Scott McCall)

Is it too late for the Knights to accept a bowl bid against one of those other Conference USA opponents? It doesn’t matter much which one. Bring on Ohio, Air Force, Middle Tennessee State, or even a rematch with Nevada, because the Rutgers Scarlet Knights were just too much to handle.

What’s worse, the downfall on Saturday was of their very own doings.

The Knights were held to 35 yards rushing on 30 carries, as those on the offensive line were beat in the trenches time and time again. Six sacks were allowed and the Knights converted only 4-of-15 attempts on third down along with being stuffed short on their only fourth-down attempt.

“Our offense never really got on track the whole day,” said UCF Coach George O’Leary.

They may not have fared much better today or tomorrow, either.

Quarterback Brett Hodges took the brunt of the punishment and was eventually knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter. He finished his last collegiate outing 13-of-28 for 175 yards with two touchdowns, both to Kamar Aiken, and two interceptions in the loss.

“They really did bring the pressure,” said Hodges. “And when you get pressure on a quarterback like that it makes it easier on the secondary and they did what they wanted to do and they succeeded at it.”

The first turnover came on the opening drive of the game, which led to a Rutgers’ score. The other, which came while trailing 21-17, was taken back for a touchdown just before the halftime break and essentially took the Knights out of the contest for good.

“You can’t give a team 14 points. That’s what we did in the first half,” said O‘Leary.

Then the Scarlet Knights returned to the field in the third quarter and took the opening drive in for another score to extend the lead once more.

UCF's Quincy McDuffie (Photo by Scott McCall)

While UCF struggled to move the ball, Rutgers made it look effortless in attacking through the air for 294 yards and two scores. The once feared defense of the Knights repeatedly missed tackles, recorded a mere one sack, and intercepted one pass while allowing 8-of-15 third-down attempts.

“We just gave up too may big plays and you can’t do that against a team like that,” said defensive end Bruce Miller.

So it’s back to the drawing board for the UCF Knights, who following another season of promise and hope have left fans with a bad taste in their mouths all over again. With UCF’s third-straight bowl loss the program’s postseason football record now stands at (or slouches at) 4-7 all-time since 1987.

But as is the old adage – there’s always next year.

“There’s a lot of good players coming back that are only going to get better with maturity,” said O’Leary, while looking ahead.

Among them are many from that group of offensive lineman and defensive backs who will likely be seeing red until the 2010 season comes around and offers up a chance at redemption.

But right now, looking ahead is all anyone can do after high hopes were once again not realized, this time while going for broke over by the bay.

– To nominate athletic performances for inclusion each Wednesday to the Top-5 list of Orlando Sports Central Standouts, send over an email to JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com –

1.) Bruce Miller – UCF Knights – After leading Conference USA in sacks and tackles for loss this season, Miller was rewarded as C-USA Defensive Player of the Year by league coaches on Wednesday. The junior defensive lineman ranks fifth in the nation with 12 sacks and 18^th in the nation with 16.5 tackles for loss through 12 games. Miller was part of a UCF defense that led C-USA in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, sacks and tackles for loss. The two-time conference defensive player of the week this season was also named to the All-Conference USA First Team along with teammates Jarvis Geathers, Cory Hogue and Jah Reid. Josh Burnett and Torrell Troup were named to the second team while Derrick Hallman, Brynn Harvey, Brett Hodges, Charley Hughlett and Lawrence Young were all honorable mentions.

2.) Gennelle Chatman – University Cougars – The senior forward pulled down a school-record 24 rebounds last Thursday in a lopsided win over East River. The effort topped her record-tying 18-rebound game in the district finals last year against Colonial, which helped the Cougars win their first district title in school history. Courtney Berry also had 18 rebounds in one game against Gateway in 2003. The four-year varsity player is currently averaging 13.3 rebounds a game and 7.8 points per game this season and is on pace to break the school’s career rebounding record. Chatman is also a member of UHS Student Government Association and National Honor Society.

3.) Austin Rivers – Winter Park Wildcats – The junior was named Most Valuable Player of the Rotary Tip-Off Classic last weekend as he helped lead the Wildcats to a big win in the championship game on Saturday. Rivers scored 28 points against Lake Brantley, 14 against Oak Ridge and went for 20 points and five rebounds in the finals against Winter Springs.

4.) Jim Haslett and Brooks Bollinger – Florida Tuskers – After leading the United Football League’s Florida Tuskers to a 6-0 regular season record, former NFL Coach of the Year Jim Haslett was named UFL Coach of the Year and Brooks Bollinger UFL Most Valuable Player. The Tuskers led the league in both offense and defense. Bollinger was outstanding in finishing with a league-best 1,825 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and 143 completions in an offense put together by former Arena Football League player and coach Jay Gruden.

More ––

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 12/2/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/25/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/18/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/11/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/4/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/28/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/21/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/14/09