SB Nation Dallas - SMU vs. UCF: Mustangs rolled in Orlandohttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-11-03T21:56:34-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33396212012-11-03T21:56:34-05:002012-11-03T21:56:34-05:00SMU vs. UCF final: Mustangs lose 42-17
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<p>UCF used a strong second-half performance to pull away from SMU on Saturday night, beating the Mustangs 42-17 at BH Networks Stadium in Orlando, Florida.</p>
<p>The Knights took a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter following <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38162/latavius-murray">Latavius Murray's</a> first touchdown of the game when the running back took the ball 23 yards for a touchdown. After a Garret Gilbert 4-yard rushing touchdown would bring the Mustangs to within 14-10, Murray's 20-yard scoring scamper gave the Knights a 21-10 lead heading into the second half.</p>
<p>The third quarter would be dominated by UCF, with SMU managing just eight yards of offense thanks to miscues and penalties. The Knights would take advantage, further extending the lead when Jeff Godfrey's 28-yard touchdown pass to Murray gave UCF a commanding 35-10 lead. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128013/blake-bortles">Blake Bortles</a>' 18-yard touchdown pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161958/breshad-perriman">Breshad Perriman</a> would put the game away midway through the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Gilbert was 16-of-29 for 133 yards and no touchdowns in the game, with SMU managing just 259 yards of total offense in the game.</p>
<p><b>Box Score Hero: </b>UCF running back Latavius Murray scored three times in the game, rushing for two touchdowns and 155 yards on 23 carries while also catching two balls for 41 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p><b>But Did They Cover? </b>The Knights easily covered the 9.5-point spread.</p>
<p><b>For More On This Game: </b><i>For more on SMU football, visit <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com">SB Nation Dallas</a>. </i><i>For more on Central Florida football, visit <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com">SB Nation Tampa Bay</a>. And you should probably start reading <a href="http://bigeastcoastbias.com">Big East Coast Bias</a>.</i></p>
<p><b>Next Week's Schedule: </b>SMU will face Southern Miss on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. ET, while UCF takes on UTWP at 7 p.m. ET.</p>
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<p>This story was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/11/3/3597136/smu-vs-ucf-2012-results-knights-dominate-in-42-17-victory/in/3358527">originally published on SB Nation.com</a>.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/smu-mustangs/2012/11/3/3597120/smu-vs-ucf-final-mustangs-final-score-recapBrandon Worley2012-11-03T20:34:05-05:002012-11-03T20:34:05-05:00 Knights extend lead to 35-10 after 3 quarters
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/smu-mustangs" class="sbn-auto-link">SMU Mustangs</a> trail the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/central-florida-knights">Central Florida Knights</a>, 35-10, after three quarters on Saturday night at BH Networks Stadium in Orlando, Florida.</p>
<p>The Knights led 21-10 after halftime thanks to a strong second quarter performance that including two <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38162/latavius-murray" class="sbn-auto-link">Latavius Murray</a> touchdown runs of 23 and 20 yards, respectively. UCF then opened the second half with a short field after Rannel Hall's 39-yard kickoff return, with the 55-yard drive that was capped by a 10-yard touchdown run by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128013/blake-bortles" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Bortles</a>.</p>
<p>The SMU offense sputtered in the third quarter, gaining just nine yards total across two drives that included several penalties that pushed the team backwards. The Knights took advantage, adding another touchdown late in the quarter after Murray caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jeff Godfrey.</p>
<p>Mustangs quarterback Garrett Gilbert, after what had been several strong games in a row, has struggled against the Knights offense. The transfer from Austin is just 10-of-22 in the game for 89 yards and no touchdowns.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/smu-mustangs/2012/11/3/3596976/smu-vs-ucf-knights-extend-lead-to-35-10-after-3-quartersBrandon Worley2012-11-03T19:29:36-05:002012-11-03T19:29:36-05:00UCF leads SMU 14-10 heading to halftime
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<p>The University of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/central-florida-knights">Central Florida Knights</a> hold a 21-10 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/smu-mustangs">SMU Mustangs</a> at the half as the Knights try to stay unbeaten in Conference USA play.</p>
<p>UCF opened the scoring with 5:39 to go in the first quarter when quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128013/blake-bortles">Blake Bortles</a> connected with wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/144097/rannell-hall">Rannell Hall</a> on a 21-yard touchdown completion to make it 7-0. SMU drew a little closer with 1:18 remaining in the quarter, as kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142411/chase-hover">Chase Hover</a> booted a 32-yard field goal to cut the margin to 7-3 in favor of the Knights.</p>
<p>In the second quarter, UCF pushed their lead forward early. Running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38162/latavius-murray">Latavius Murray</a> toted the ball 23 yards for a touchdown, giving the Knights a clean 14-3 advantage. SMU wouldn't go away quietly, however. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive with a four-yard run for a touchdown, leaving the score at 14-10. UCF added a late score as Murray scored on a 20-yard scamper to make it 21-10.</p>
<p>Both teams were very efficient in the first half. SMU converted five of nine third-down opportunities for first downs, while UCF was three of five in similar situations.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/smu-mustangs/2012/11/3/3596668/smu-vs-ucf-knights-trying-to-break-mustangs-21-10-at-halftimeBen Gellman-Chomsky2012-11-01T11:31:46-05:002012-11-01T11:31:46-05:00UCF QB Blake Bortles faces 1st opponent SMU again
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<figcaption>J. Meric</figcaption>
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<p>Knights quarterback Blake Bortles will face SMU after getting his first snaps against them last year.</p> <p>With the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/central-florida-knights">Central Florida Knights</a> down big to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/smu-mustangs">SMU Mustangs</a> last season, UCF sent out then-freshman quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128013/blake-bortles" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Bortles</a>. He finished 9-for-12 through the air for 118 yards and a touchdown in the 38-17 loss, but Mustangs head coach June Jones remembered the performance, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-10-31/sports/os-ucf-smu-june-jones-1101-20121031_1_smu-coach-june-jones-latavius-murray-ucf-coach">a report from Paul Tenorio of the Orlando Sentinel</a> on Wednesday.</p>
<p>"I said, 'Man, I'm glad they didn't put that guy in the game earlier,'" Jones said in the report Wednesday.</p>
<p>This season, Bortles has thrown for 1,875 yards -- completing 66.8 percent of his passes -- and 14 touchdowns with seven interceptions as he leads UCF (6-2, 4-0 in Conference USA) into a crucial conference game at home against SMU (4-4, 3-1 in C-USA) on Saturday night.</p>
<p>Since a 21-16 loss to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/missouri-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Missouri Tigers</a> on Sept. 29, the Knights have rattled off four-straight Conference USA victories, putting them on top of the conference's East division.</p>
<p>UCF and SMU are set for kickoff at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, and the game can be seen on the CBS Sports Network.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/smu-mustangs/2012/11/1/3585952/smu-vs-ucf-2012-blake-bortlesGriffin Gotta2012-10-31T10:48:07-05:002012-10-31T10:48:07-05:00O'Leary still known for Notre Dame debacle
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<figcaption>Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>George O'Leary, best known for a brief stay at Notre Dame, and the UCF Knights host SMU on Saturday.</p> <p>SMU is on the road Saturday to play Central Florida and head coach George O'Leary, who despite moderate success with the Knights since 2004 and success with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> in the late 1990's, is best known for a brief stint as head coach at Notre Dame.</p>
<p>O'Leary left Georgia Tech to take over the highest-profile coaching job in the country in 2001, only to resign a few days later after Notre Dame discovered inaccuracies on O'Leary's resume. Shamed, O'Leary left college football but found a job as defensive coordinator with then-head coach Mike Tice and the Minnesota Vikings.</p>
<p>After two successful years in the NFL, O'Leary left the Vikings to become the head coach at Central Florida. The Knights went a school-worst 0-11 in his first season. They joined Conference USA the next season and had one of the best turnarounds in the nation, going 8-3 and 7-1 in-conference.</p>
<p>Still with the Knights, O'Leary has a shot at a Conference USA title and bowl berth. The Knights can continue their big year on Saturday against the Mustangs. SMU and UCF play at 6 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on the CBS Sports Network.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/smu-mustangs/2012/10/31/3581056/george-o-leary-notre-dame-ucfKevin Jeffers2012-10-30T09:48:05-05:002012-10-30T09:48:05-05:00Mustangs are big underdogs despite recent wins
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<figcaption>Jim Cowsert-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Knights are 2-4 against the spread in its last six games, while the Mustangs are 2-5 against the spread in its last seven games on the road.</p> <p>Despite big wins over both Houston and Memphis, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/smu-mustangs" class="sbn-auto-link">SMU Mustangs</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/southern-methodist-central-florida-odds-november-3-2012">are still the underdogs for their matchup</a> against the UCF Knights who have won four straight.</p>
<p>After the line opened at 10 points in favor of the Knights, it has since swelled to 12.5 points as the bettors aren't giving the Mustangs much of a chance on the road in Orlando, Florida. They do expect a fair amount of scoring, though, as the over/under for the game is set at 51.</p>
<p>Each team is averaging over 30 points offensively, however the SMU defense has allowed an average of 26.6 points while the UCF defense has allowed 21.4. While the averages would likely sway one to take the over, the under has been the better bet for the two teams in recent games.</p>
<p>The under has been the winner in five of the last seven road games for the Mustangs, and the winner in nine of UCF's last 12 home games.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/smu-mustangs/2012/10/30/3575916/smu-ucf-football-2012-odds-spread-lineAdam Stites2012-10-29T21:33:38-05:002012-10-29T21:33:38-05:00SMU takes on East-leading Central Florida
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<figcaption>Ivan Pierre Aguirre-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Mustangs of SMU hope to hand Central Florida its first loss in conference play.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/smu-mustangs" class="sbn-auto-link">SMU Mustangs</a> travel to Orlando to face the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/central-florida-knights" class="sbn-auto-link">Central Florida Knights</a> in a Conference USA battle on Saturday.</p>
<p>SMU has played its way to second place in the West division of the conference after two blowout wins. The Mustangs head to Florida after a 72-42 win against Houston and a 44-13 victory over Memphis. After struggling at the start of the season, quarterback Garrett Gilbert is 48-of-73 (66%) for 618 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions in his last two games. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135294/zach-line" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Line</a> has also rushed for 106 yards per game to help the Mustangs climb to a 4-4 record.</p>
<p>Central Florida is 6-2 and in control of the conference's East division. Winners of four straight, the Knights average 36 points per game. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128013/blake-bortles" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Bortles</a> completes 67% of his passes and has thrown 14 touchdowns to just seven interceptions in eight games. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38162/latavius-murray" class="sbn-auto-link">Latavius Murray</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114392/storm-johnson" class="sbn-auto-link">Storm Johnson</a> tag-team the rushing duties and combine to run for 120 yards per game. Defensively, Central Florida allows just 354 yards per game, which ranks 37th nationally.</p>
<p><b>Date/Time</b>: Sat., Nov. 3, 6:00 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: CBS Sports Network</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/odds" target="_blank">Odds</a>: UCF by 11 points</p>
<p><b>For more on this game</b> stay tuned to <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Dallas</a>.</p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/smu-mustangs/2012/10/29/3574464/smu-ucf-football-2012-stream-scheduleBrett Hein