UCF faces Boston College in Week #4 of the 2008 season

Central Florida coach George O’Leary is a veteran of facing the big challenge. He’s created an atmosphere with the Knights that they can play with any BCS program in the country. They just need to beat one of them. After beating North Carolina State in Raleigh in the 2007 opener, the Knights have dropped their last three – in heartbreaking fashion.

In 2007, they fell to Texas, 35-32, when they opened Bright House Networks Stadium, fell to Mississippi State, 10-3, in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and then this year, they lost in overtime to South Florida, 31-24. They were denied at the goal line on their possession of the extra period. So the latest BCS attempt is this Saturday at Chestnut Hill when they face Boston College. It is only the second trip in school history to New England for the program. The first was in 1994 at Maine.

There is probably no mistaking that the Knights (1-1) will stay with the Eagles (1-1). The question is going to be what kind of play can the offense give to sustain drives and finish them? Thus far, the offense has averaged only 272 yards per game. Junior quarterback Michael Greco has been workmanlike in his two starts against South Carolina State and South Florida. He hasn’t wowed people. But he hasn’t set anything back either.

Greco has thrown for 240 yards with 2 touchdowns. But UCF coaches would like to see that completion percentage rise from its current 54 percent to near 60 percent.

And life without all-everything running back Kevin Smith has forced the faithful to see what kind of season redshirt freshman Ronnie Weaver can give them. So far, it’s been very cautious. He has rushed for only 112 yards through the first two games.

It is a lot to ask of a freshman to deliver the goods, but sometimes, a running back can be the easiest position for a rookie to catch his stride. He has 40 attempts, so everybody is going to have to be patient.

But the defense has been pretty solid to start, averaging allowing 315 yards per game and has created four turnovers That isn’t bad considering how wide open college offenses have become in the last 10-15 years.

Against South Florida, the UCF collected 11 tackles for loss and added five quarterback hurries to compliment two interceptions. Should it harass Boston College quarterback Chris Crane in similar manner, it will have a chance to be in the game in the fourth quarter.

Notable for UCF

1. The Knights’ 3-game road winning streak ties a school record. They are 9-14 all-time under O’Leary.
2. UCF is one of 15 teams in Division I college football which has not thrown an interception.
3. Third down has been tough for UCF opponents. They are converting only 37 percent.