UCF preview

The 2007 football season will be a historic one for the UCF Knights as the team moves on campus to play its home games for the first time in school history. After 28 seasons at the Florida Citrus Bowl, the Knights will open Bright House Networks Stadium on Sept. 15 against national-power Texas in a game to be televised at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2. With 19 starters returning, including nine on defense and eight on offense, UCF will look to make its first season at the 45,000-seat venue a special one.

The catalyst for the offense will be the run game and featured back Kevin Smith enters his junior season with 2,112 rushing yards and a spot on the preseason Conference USA first-team. His rushing total through his first two seasons was the most by a sophomore in UCF history. The steadying force for the defense will be a veteran secondary that features four returning starters who are all members of the junior class. Strong safety Sha'reff Rashad led the team with four interceptions and 10 pass break-ups in 2006 and will help anchor the secondary along with free safety Jason Venson and cornerbacks Joe Burnett and Johnnell Neal. The quartet has combined for 78 starts in their, respective, UCF careers. Neal is the lone member of the foursome to start all 25 games over the past two seasons.

Complete preview