September 14, 2018– If you know you know, if not, you might be sitting in on a conversation you have NO idea how to chime in on so you proceed to nod your head and smile, dumb-founded. Here are some facts to keep your stat-talk up to date so you can feel a little less clueless when it comes time to join in on some CFB talk!
UCF – This past month, NCAA record books officially listed Central Florida as 2017 Co-National Champions after posting an undefeated 13-0 season; refreshing news for the university even though they celebrated the whole 9 yards like they were the original trophy hoisters anyway.
The Knight’s rushing offense ranked 18th nationally, and are now 31-9 all-time in home openers. UCF has produced ample amounts of talent to the pros; over 160 players have been sent to the NFL, CFL and AFL other next-level leagues since 1983.
The Knight’s home own Spectrum Stadium attendance has been second-to-none, with 43,269 fans in the stands- there were more fans at this past South Carolina State match-up than any home-opener since the first one at Spectrum in 2007.
FAU – The Florida Atlantic Owls are on a seven game home win streak, their last defeat took place in their home opener this past 2017 season, no thanks to service academy, Navy Midshipmen football. FAU achieved their first division title feat in 2017, while also adding a USA conference title last year, the other title won in the 2007 season.
Freshman QB Chris Robison set a school-record throwing for 471 yards, completing 33-of-40 passes and three scores as FAU attained its first victory over service academy Air Force, 33-27, in their home opener Saturday.
USF– South Florida is on a roll now shining at 2-0 and 29-6 in the past 35 games, courtesy of some big-time individual efforts that make up the overall team chemistry this young squad has been able to develop playing collectively as a whole right out of the gate.
The Bulls are now 15-1 in season home-openers, with a new leader under center for the Bulls in Blake Barnett who is the 15th starting QB in program history, the Green and Gold are making major strides with his mature and focused demeanor.
Blake also set a scoring record for the organization at quarterback in a debut with 4 TD’s and threw for 305 yards- 6 yards fewer than Mike White’s 311 for USF’s debut record set in 2013. As far as the ground-game goes, USF’s rushing offense is among the Top 10 nationally in each of their last 3 seasons.
Vaughan Sixbury, BCP Contributor