From: dbarring@dw3f.ess.harris.com (Dwayne Barrington)
Subject: Central Florida - 1AA football
Reply-To: dbarring@dw3f.ess.harris.com (Dwayne Barrington)
Organization: Harris GISD
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 17:37:25 GMT

Hello to all 1-AA fans out there.   Since there is an interest
in 1-AA football in this newsgroup, I thought I would
provide a little information about the University of Central
Florida Fightin' Knights.

Location: Orlando, Florida
Student population: 22,000+
Stadium: Citrus Bowl (70,000)
Head Coach: Gene McDowell (1990 Coach of the Year)
Colors: Black and Gold
NCAA Division 1-AA Independent

Last Year:

The Knights finished with a disappointing 6-5, after a
semi-final playoff showing in 1990.  The record last
year can be attributed to the number of inexperienced
players that had to take over after the 1990 season.
Only 7 starters returned( 2 on offense and 5 on defense)
Last year was definitely a rebuilding year.

This Year:

Offense:

The offense returns 9 starters from last year's line up.
The 2 tackles graduated.

QB: 
  Darin Hinshaw, 6-1 200 lbs, will start as a red-shirt 
  sophomore.  He is a very good quarterback, but he is young.
  He started the second half of last season and looked good.
  Great arm and quick release.

   Backup Michael Jordan (that's right) is a red-shirt freshman,
   6-4 210 lbs.  He has been touted as the best QB recruit UCF
   has ever had.  He needs experience.

RB:
   Willy English, 6 212 lbs.  Pre-season All American.  Among
   the rushing leaders in 1-AA last year.  Rushed for 1300+
   yards and had 9 100+ yard games.  Rushed for 242 yards
   against Arkansas State last year.

FB:
   Charles Anderson, 6 234 lbs.  Good blocker and short 
   yardage back.

Wrs:
   Very good.  A lot of depth and experience.  Deep man is 
   David Brite, 6-1 200 lbs and runs a 4.3 in the 40.

Line:
   Young, but experienced. A lot of depth but only 2 seniors
   in entire pool of offensive lineman.  Average size is 
   6-3 1/2 270 lbs.

TE:
   Not sure who will start. but there are 3 good candidates.
   Average size is 6-3 240 lbs.


Defense (My favorite)

The defense also returns 9 starters from last year.  We
lost an outside linebacker( drafted 3rd round by Seattle)
and a strong safety(signed contract with the Rams).

Line:
   Quick and experienced.  UCF in the past has played a
   3 man front, but this year UCF will try a 4 man front
   modeled after the Canes and Noles.  The coach has
   wanted to do this for some time, but lack of depth
   prevented the change.  Now, with plenty of depth,
   he can change the defense to the 4-3.  The 4-3 is
   designed to stop the run and force the pass.

   Average size is 6-3 265 lbs.

LBs:
   Good hard hitting linebackers.  Led by senior and
   pre-season All American Rick Hamilton, 6-2 242 lbs.
   He is the defensive leader.

CBs:
   Both starters return.  Good speed and can cover 
   anyone.

S:
   Starting weak safety is back.  He is good and 
   experienced.  The strong safety has good size
   and hits hard.  Good traits to have when he has
   to remind opposing receivers that he is back 
   there.


UCF should make it to the playoffs this year.  With
all the returning starters and experienced players,
the Knights should not be plagued with the 
problems of last year.  But, who knows what can 
happen during a football game.  We'll just have
to wait and see if the Knights can prove 
themselves on the field.

I think they will.



Dewayne Barrington


P.S. Let's hear some info about other 1-AA teams.