USF-UCF game moved to Friday, Sept. 5

It's been talked about for quite some time, but now it's official: USF's football game this fall at Central Florida has been moved up a day and will be played the night of Friday, Sept. 5, to facilitate a national TV broadcast, according to UCF assistant athletic director Joe Hornstein.

The game, all but assuredly to be broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2, is the final meeting of four scheduled games between the cross-state rivals. USF has won the previous three games, including a 64-12 drubbing in Tampa last season.

The 2006 meeting in Orlando, a 24-17 USF victory, was one of the Bulls' more exciting finishes in recent years, with quarterback Matt Grothe throwing the winning touchdown pass with just over three minutes to play, then UCF driving to the USF 10 before getting stopped on fourth down with 22 seconds left.

USF played two weeknight games last season, beating West Virginia in Tampa on a Friday night in September and losing at Rutgers on a Thursday night in aOctober.

Comments

[G.A.]

Thanks for the catches, guys. I'm going to spend some time with my "Days of the Week" flashcards and a map of Florida.

[KB]

At least we won't fry in the pan during a day game in Sept over there.

More time to prep for Kansas.

I still think Fridays should be reserved for High School though.

[sv]

I dont like this at all. They are making it seem like a big game. Play it Saturday at 3 like every other game. Night games just gets the home team and crowd that much more juiced. Look at the West Virginia game, and the Rutgers game last year. If we had played Rutgers on a Saturday at 12 do we win?

[John Hitt]

sv, by reading your comment it looks like you're scared. And even though UCF has gotten beat 3 times it is a HUGE game. Ask any fan or player from each school and they genuinely hate the other school, therefore making it a HUGE game.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Stupid to play this game on friday night - on the road - with a rival type school.

Plus USF never plays well the first two weeks of the year -- then you have Kansas -- they typical look ahead game the following week.

This is a dumb move. I still can't see UCF having any chance what so ever with Kevin Smith gone and their stable of awful QB's.

[Jordan]

In all seriousness, how many games do you expect UCF to win this year? They will be worse that last year, that is a fact. It is a big game for USF b/c we want to show UCF they are not in our league. It is a big game for UCF b/c they want to shot us that they are. Leavitt is gonna come out firing for this one, I guarantee you. If you guys thought 64-12 was bad, you just wait. Friday night, ESPN, Leavitt will want to show the world why he doesnt want to play the school from the east anymore (thats Orlando Tech for you old-timers).

[sv]

Not scared im just ready to get this series over with. Its a waste of time. This is NOT a HUGE game. A HUGE game would be playing Rutgers on Thursday night for BCS bid. Every Big east game is bigger than the UCF game next year, Kansas is going to be a bigger game than UCF. We are trying to win a championship not beat UCF. O well 1 more year of this crap team. Miami is going to be a huge rivalry for us.

[sv]

We have nothing to Prove. Its already been Proven.

[gdp]

This may actually prove to be a blessing in disguise - provided USF wins it in a dominating fashion.

First off, if USF throttles UCF (like last year) I think we can finally dispense with all of the confusion from the general fan that gets USF and UCF confused. Secondly, another loss by UCF will pretty much cement the fact that USF is the superior program. Thirdly, the is a very likely chance that they'll talk about the previous meetings and that USF is 3-0 and it is pretty much do or die for UCF. Fourth, UCF is going to be doing some major rebuilding next year and have lots of questions on offense.

And finally, it is the last (hopefully) EVER game with the tin men!!

[KnightMan]

sv: "Miami is going to be a huge rivalry for us."

ha ha ha ask any Cane fan if they feel the same

[sv]

If im not mistaken Miami came to us. Maby right now the average cane fan cant see a huge rivalry with us but wait until next year when they come down here and we beat. I bet they will think its a rivalry then. Just like you guys could have done by beating us that first year or second or third year then maby it would have been a rivalry but when you are 0-3 going on 0-4 its not a rivalry. I garuntee we dont go 0-5 against Miami.

[Stupidfatbulls]

To make a few things clear,

1)USF won't be playing for a championship or a BCS bid next year.

2) UCF isn't in a rebuilding year.

3) USF will not come out of UCF with a victory.

Keep tugging on each other, next year will prove that USF is crooked fluke!

[KnightMan]

The UF-FSU rivalry was one sided to start out with also and that turned out ok. Rivalries are determined in longer time periods 20 years+; 4 years is just one recruiting class going through their college careers(also a coaching transition and complete change of program direction from Kruzchek to Oleary).

Miami fans will never see it as a rivalry when they consistently get top 10 recruiting classes while USF(54th on Rivals.com) and UCF(56th on Rivals.com) are ranked in the 50s. The new academic ruling will affect your program in the future b/c you can't take the athletes you've been taking for the 'quick rise' as a program. Now if Miami is bad for two more seasons, they might just go down in the pits for good.

Most students/young alumni enjoy the Rivalry, two schools less than 100 miles apart with similar goals of being consistent top 25 programs. To say your on a complete other level is funny, UF, Oklahoma, USC, Texas yes I can say are on another level(consistent BCS appearances, ranking, etc).

[Jim]

Hey stupidbulls;

Have you been wearing the Knights armor to long. I think the air is making you a little crazy. You are 0-3, we have the same QB, a solid defense. You have no offense without Smith. Please explain to me what UCiFs options are?

[Bullrocks]

Knightman, we are only eleven year old program, what is your problem.

The UF-FSU rivalry has one key component...BCS schools. There is nothing like winning your conference championship and being rewarded by playing the eigth placed team in the SEC and loosing. Playing UCF does nothing for us, It has the same relevance as playing Tennessee-Martin.

[Mike Lakeland]

You'll have to excuse KnightMan. It's the UCiF education kicking in. His reasoning skills leave much to be desired. At least he's trying, unlike the rest of the Gnats faithful.

I for one cannot wait to play the final game in this "rivalry". We will give them one final "eff you" and be done with them.

[KB]

USF was smart scheduling Miami annually on Thanksgiving weekend after 2009.

UCF - maybe you can get a Thanksgiving weekend game with FAU?

No offense UCF, but USF wanted a rival with a BCS team. Don't take it personally, because most of the time you do.

[sv]

Knightman...

"with similar goals of being consistent top 25 programs"

Im sorry but thats not our goal. Our goal is to win the Big East and play in a BCS game. Who cares about top 25 ranking? I guess when you cant play for a BCS thats all you have to look forward to is what the media and coahces think.

[KB]

PS

Recruiting rankings mean squat. Ask Auburn.

Moral victory for the Knights.

[steve oneal]

ESPN asked Miami to think of a team for a possible annual thanksgiving weekend game. The Miami AD suggested USF according to reports at the time. Makes sense from a travel and financial standpoint. This could become a rivalry being 2 BCS schools and I guarantee that Miami realizes USF is far superior to UCF. Thank god only 1 last time to beat UCF and then get on with a series that should actually be competetive. GO BULLS!

[stupidbull]

Hey Jim,

You obviously don't know anything with a USF education. Of course Kevin Smith was a giant part of the offense. However, we have solid backs ready to replace him. Our Oline will be strong again. Our receivers will be a year older and we will also probably see an improvement at QB. You guys are losing several key defensive starters, Grothe has the potential to throw six picks on any given day, and you're gonna be on the road. Say what you want about the stadium, but just wait till you get in it! This isn't gonna be a blowout like last year, I can promise that. Most of you Bull fans need to remember where you came from and continue to remember that you're not a prestigous program!

[stupidbull]

Steve,

I take you are referring to the Ball State series???

[Blake]

I like the move to Sept 5. We can make this series go away one day earlier than before. The quicker we can stop arguing with fans from a school with an inferior football program, the quicker we can continue our rise into acceptance by other BCS schools outside of the Big East. Once we are no longer compared to UCF, recruits will stop thinking about us in the same thought as a mid-major and ESPN will quit confusing our names. Ending this series as soon as possible is in the best interest of this program.

[sv]

stupidbull...

We are loosing 3 key starters on D and have replaced them with 3 key starters. There will be no drop off in defense. UCF has one key problem...Your QB couldnt start for 108 D1 schools. And I liked those back up running backs you ran at us last year when your second day overrated draft pick K smith only ran for 50 yards.

[Gary]

any team with solid backup rb's is not going to give one player the ball 40 times a game.

[Miles Lamoureux]

/QUOTE/

Steve,

I take you are referring to the Ball State series???
/QUOTE/

The Ball State series is actually a slap to the face of all UCF fans. We would rather travel 1000 miles to play a MAC team than 100 miles to play an inferior C-USA team. The MAC conference is leaps and bounds better than C-USA.

[steve oneal]

It is hard to argue with a dumb-ss that can't even comprehend english. Does MIAMI sound or look like Ball State, Stupidbull? You are the most ignorant fans and ya'll just have to get over all the jealousy. I know it must be tough to accept that ucf was 1st with a FB team and BLEW their chance at the big time. Now along comes USF and they soar by ya'll leaving your program to be 2nd class to USF. I know it hurts, but tough sh-t, get over it. GO BULLS!

[GoGators]

Miles Lamoureux, your and idiot

"The MAC conference is leaps and bounds better than C-USA"

Don’t be stupid, the MAC did not win a single bowl game. At least CUSA did that and against tougher competition. And ending the series with UCF is even dumber; yes USF is a better team, but saying it’s smarter for the bulls to play ball state. Playing UCF is smart, one financially and two they are stronger program (at one point they were receiving top 25 votes). Hell why do you think we Gators keep playing FSU.

Gators rule!!!

[funnydorks]

USF is a crap school.
The have no ethics when it comes to football.
Within a few years they'll be back in the gutter.

[ORANGEandBLUE]

Superman TEBOW will make Matt Grothe his man hoe

[PURPLE]

Isn't the Gator that got arrested already Tebow's man hoe?

[steve oneal]

orangeandblue, tebow and Grothe will both be graduated when we come to the swamp, so I don't get your comment. And by your comment are you suggesting tebow likes men rather than girls? GO BULLS!

[whohaseverseenarealKNIGHTinFL?srsly]

Orlando is Gator country. Remember that huge "Tebow>Grothe Go Knights!" sign in the upper deck at Ray Jay? Tragic.

[Ken]

We have to keep proving it every week, as every top-notch team does. Let down and we lose, and that's especially bad with this game. It is going to be tough--they will be primed for this, in their new stadium. And we just might be looking past this one to Kansas the following week. As I said, if we let down, we'll lose. If we play well, we'll win handily, and have an extra day of prep for Kansas.

I'll be there, and hope all of you will be as well.

[ForKen]

Ken, unlike your fellow Bulls, you a realist, that's good to see.

[Ken]

Dear FK,

It sounds as though you're a UCF fan. Just to be absolutely clear: Our teams aren't in the same league, in any sense, and in all likelihood we'll beat you handily, again, as I said. Of course, upsets happen, and sometimes the lesser team wins. I hope our team, and our coaches, will plan and work carefully for this one, and I'll love the win. But, if we get over-confident, you could bite us.

[ucfrocks]

Ken,
You are right when you say that we are not in the same league. The Big East wanted UCF to join but Coach O'Leary turned them down. We are primed to join the ACC or the SEC. We have state of the art facilities and a brand new OC stadium. We out recruited you guys again this year and we will beat you this year at Brighthouse. We already have you in our rearview mirror...Go Knights!!!

[G.A.]

UCFrocks, you really think that's O'Leary's call? Not an athletic director, or a school president, or a board that oversees a public university? You think they just call down to football and say "Hey, Coach, interested in the Big East? Okay, we'll tell them no thanks."

I like confidence, but don't be silly.

[ucfrolls]

GA,

The Big East is calling GOL at least once a day and twice on Sundays. Seriously!

CUSA will take the Big East's BCS bid next year.

USF can't hold a candle to the program UCF has built over the last 30 plus years. Watch out Liberty Bowl, we're comin' back for more.

[Rob]

Watch out Liberty Bowl! lol Thats the funniest thing I read in this whole blog! Its a sad day when you look up to the Liberty bowl. Go Bulls, lets make UCF look like the second rate team they are! "We are gonna be in the SEC, ACC, or BEAST" lol, no you are in CUSA, the conference we left to let you guys in! Good riddance come Sept 5! And I will be there to see the stampede! Go Bulls

[Mike Lakeland]

"We are primed to join the ACC or SEC" - ucfrocks

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

So, let me guess - the SEC will kick out Ole Miss or Vandy for the powerhouse of UCF, eh?

Dude, you need to lay down the pipe, go outside, and get some sunlight.

[Go Bulls]

Notice to UCF fans on this blog...
You are 0-3 against us! Last years score was 64-12! Our third string QB threw a touchdown against you! Keep talking smack, it makes you look intelligent!

[war eagle]

"The Big East is calling GOL at least once a day and twice on Sundays. Seriously!

CUSA will take the Big East's BCS bid next year.

USF can't hold a candle to the program UCF has built over the last 30 plus years. Watch out Liberty Bowl, we're comin' back for more."

C-USA will take the Big East's BCS spot? lol. C-USA isn't the most respected NON BCS conference. The WAC has been in two consecutive BCS bowl games, winning the first. WVU has the most wins among programs that have never won a national championship, and PITT (five time national champions) are on the cusp of breaking through.

USF can't hold a candle to UCF's program? OK. UCF has been around almost three times as long as USF's football program, but has one less bowl appearance than USF, and one less bowl win than USF. USF has worked its way into a BCS conference (leaving C-USA behind) and UCF has worked its way into taking USF's sloppy seconds in C-USA. Do you see what I'm saying?

USF has beaten four top fifteen teams the last three seasons. Has UCF EVER beaten a ranked opponent? Look, I was at the USF-Auburn game and those fans that made it up were all class.

Another thing...USF crushed, demolished, thumped, and thoroughly embarrassed UCF this past season. If rivals skip a year a playing each other, than records against common opponents, conference records, or strength of schedule can be debated to determine who had the better season. Auburn beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl. AU gets bragging rights for the next year. USF won bragging rights. What' so hard to understand?

Plus, C-USA's champion (UCF) got KILLED by the Big East's fourth place team. Enough said.

[ucfrocks]

War Eagle,
Believe me when I say that you do not want us in the SEC. We shut down MSU and should have won that game. If USF beat you guys, then we would have also. UCF has the best facilities of any school in the state of Florida. We are recruiting athletes that are turning down bigger schools like UF to come to UCF. We have a 2 time coach of the year in George O'Leary and are located in one of the best cities in Florida. We will be in the SEC or ACC within 2-3 years...you can bet on it!

[war eagle]

"If USF beat you guys, then we would have also."

We lost to USF 26-23, in overtime. USF beat UCF 64-12. What is wrong with you? Auburn would absolutely destroy UCF.

"Believe me when I say that you do not want us in the SEC."

Ahahahahaha!!! lmmfao! OMG, the HILARITY!

"We have a 2 time coach of the year in George O'Leary"

The once proud Head Coach of Notre Dame (for A DAY) that settled for a spot coaching a C-USA team? OK.

"and are located in one of the best cities in Florida."

yeah, for foreign and domestic tourist, and retired New Yorkers.

"We will be in the SEC or ACC within 2-3 years...you can bet on it!"

lol. A THIRD FL in the ACC? Again, I ask what is wrong with you?

SEC? lmao! You are seriously cracking me up! I'll take that bet, and spot you three decades.

Honestly, answer this...USF absolutly embarrassed UCF 64-12. They have quality wins inside AND outside of conference. The have been ranked. UCF cannot claim most of these things. Losing to a ranked UCONN, Cincy, or a Rutgers team that was ranked #10 at one point in the season, AND Oregon (ranked #2 at one point in the season) is one thing, but UCF losing to ECU? Embarrassing.

MSU was a long time doormat of the SEC. They have improved, but do not think that hanging in a game aginst MSU signals that UCF can handle a SEC schedule every year.

[J]

ucfrocks, can you please hook me up with your dealer. I have got to get some of whatever you are smoking.

[J]

war eagle, ucfrocks was correct on one point: "Believe me when I say that you do not want us in the SEC."

You definately do not want them in your conference. That would bring the overall quality of the conference down way too far.

[ucfrocks]

You USF clowns keep laughing it up. UCF has a better campus, better facilities, and a better coach. UCF has higher admission standards and better professors. We will continue to climb while USF will go the route of Miami, which is in the toilet. We have already surpassed your program and have you in our rearview mirror.

[war eagle]

"UCF has a better campus, better facilities"

Subjective.

"a better coach."

Why hasn't he beaten this inferior USF coach? Hmmmm?

"UCF has higher admission standards and better professors."

Turns out that UCF and USF are both public universities. They really aren't that different.

"We will continue to climb while USF will go the route of Miami, which is in the toilet.

Climb what? UCF won C-USA. That is as high as UCF can climb. They won their conference championship and STILL didn't crack the top twenty five. Miami had a handful of sub-par seasons after their success of the 80s and early 90s, only to rebound in the early 2000s. They have a new coach and have a top recruiting class. That sounds like a gold plated toilet.

"We have already surpassed your program and have you in our rearview mirror."

How? UCF STILL has yet to win a bowl game, beat a ranked opponent, or be ranked themselves. To have USF your rearview mirror, UCF has to beat USF.

[ucfrocks]

News flash war eagle- We will beat USF at Brighthouse. Our fans will be pumped up and the USF players will find out what it is like to play in a true college environment. We should have 2 years ago and we will definately beat USF and Miami this year. This stupid rivalry will be over and we can start playing the BIG schools in Florida. USF fans are classless and we will be off to better times...Go Knights!!!

[war eagle]

"News flash war eagle- We will beat USF at Brighthouse."

Instead of answering my question and informing us of hof UCF has passed USF, you respond by making a prediction? Amazing!

"Our fans will be pumped up and the USF players will find out what it is like to play in a true college environment."

USF played in front of 100,000 fans at Penn. State a few years ago. They won in front of 70,000 fans AT Auburn last season. They beat the #5 team in the country at home in front of 65,000 people last season. Are you comparing Brighthouse Stadium to Jordan Haire Stadium or Happy Valley? If so, please, go on..

"We should have 2 years ago and we will definately beat USF and Miami this year."

Shoulda', woulda', coulda'. USf and Miami will beat UCF. Write it down and put it in your back pocket.

"This stupid rivalry will be over and we can start playing the BIG schools in Florida."

USF has a five year deal to play Miami during Thanksgiving weekend, the same day UF and FSU play one another. USF has two games against UF sceduled, as well. USF is in the discussions in respect to FL's "Big Four". The USF-UCF game only benefits UCF, NOT USF.

"USF fans are classless and we will be off to better times...Go Knights!!!"

UCF has seen happy times. Happy mid-major times! I wish UCF more luck in future Liberty Bowls, seeing as that is the a C-USA school can do (unless they go undefeated, but the juggernaut ECU always gets in UCF's way).

[steve oneal]

Geez ucfrocks, I bet you even your own fans are embarassed by you. You are the most delusional fan ever. Some of the things you say are so damn funny. You're just trying to be funny, right? You can't possibly believe the stupid crap you're posting.

[Bullshiznitz]

Reality check UCF...
Under your great coach George O'Liar you are:
22-28 Overall
1-11 vs BCS teams
0-2 in Bowl Games
Never beaten a ranked team
Never bean ranked
0-3 vs USF being outscored 119-43

You need to be more worried about FAU not passing you up than about USF or Miami or any other BCS Florida team.

[J]

"You need to be more worried about FAU not passing you up..."

Are you sure they haven't already? It took us until the 4th quarter to beat FAU. FAU also won their bowl game. I'm not saying FAU has already passed UCF, but I don't know that they are far off.

[steve oneal]

Think how bad you will feel when FAU and Coach schellenberger DO PASS YOU GUYS! Schellenberger has new facility and will get OCS and I guarantee is more respected than O'LIAR. Hey, maybe ya'll and FAU could swap places and then a C-USA team could actually win the liberty bowl. Now that would be a major upgrade for C-USA. When we beat ya'll for the 4th time, ya'll will have to live with the fact that ucf NEVER beat USF and never will! GO BULLS!

[PDG]

USF had very good corners, linebackes(s), etc. What are you guys gonna do without those corners though? They really helped your defensive scheme.

[DELdaBULL]

PDG,

You cannot be serious.

[Mike Lakeland]

PDG - what is UCF going to do now that is has no offense to speak of?

[J]

PDG, in answer to your question about what we would do without our corners, we'll plug the next guys in.

Fortunately for us, they have quite a bit of experience from the UCF game last year. We were able to sit the starters the whole second half with that kind of lead.

You'll never hear me minimize the loss of top-tier players like Jenkins and Williams. However, a secondary that includes Jerome Murphy and Nate Allen will be o.k. against UCF. Against WVU, Louisville, Rutgers and Kansas, I still want to see more from them, but they'll be fine against UCF.

[PDG]

dell:

There's no reason to act like a snarky jerk. Just asking a simple question to see if you guys had any good experience behind your first two corners. They were both good, that's all I was implying. Idiots

[PDG]

Mike Lakeland:

Did I even say anything about UCF? I just reread my own comment, and no I didn't. All I did was ask a question trying to see if you guys had any depth at DB. Next time read the question--Thanks lil guy

[Mike Lakeland]

PDG - you need to find another outlet for your anger. You can't come into an established argument, throw the "you" and "they" around (thus, in the English language, puts you on the "other" side of said argument), and then get mad at us because your grammar and syntax are lacking. This thread is talking about the USF/UCF game, so if you're not on one side, you're on the other. Somewhere, there is an English teacher crying.

PDG - e-thugging at its finest!

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/attachments/4-6l-talk/3695d1074514651-haha-funny-pic-e-

http://www.photodump.org/stored15/ethug.jpg

[PDG]

J answered the question like a normal, intelligent person. That's all I wanted to know. Don't be so sensitive, and save you English teacher rhetoric for someone who cares. Next time, simply read the question before typing in some stupid remarks that have nothing to do with the comment.

[Dave W]

PDG- at LB, I think that Moffitt's experience will be tough to replace, but athletically, Kion Wilson (JUCO transfer) will actually be an upgrade. Wilson is small, but we've had success with smaller guys (although I think that overall we are too small at LB for bruising RBs, with Ray Rice and Johnathan Stewart backing my claim). Anyways, I think that Wilson carries a lot of hype and if he can handle the pressure of replacing Ben, he should combine with returning starters T-Mac and Mompremier to be the most athletic LB corps in the BEAST. Chris Robinson should be able to be a great backup (but he may get more snaps at DE), and I'm positive that the younger guys will be able to perform as well.

OT is the position of concern, due to the loss of Walt Walker. D-line also had some big losses in Clebert, Cray, Buie, and George.

[PDG]

Well at least Selvie is still around. That guy is one beast of a defensive end. Its gotta be tough losing Jenkins, that guy is probably the 2nd best corner in the draft, that's the only reason I was asking the previous questions about the secondary. I haven't really heard much about this Wilson LB, but now I'll be sure to pay attention. Thanks Dave

[bull05]

ucf and usf is a waste of time. i read some of the comments below and there are a few on here that are insane. we lost three BIG time players, but who did we lose on offense? mike ford will be getting a lot more carries. UM is going to be a HUGE recruiting plus for us and dont forget matt grothe is only a junior this year. he and the o-line will be around for UM. did you see the last recruit we got from arizona? get your head right. ucf is a good warm up for kansas, but bring on UM and florida. you mess with the bull you get the horns. GO BULLS!!