Southern Miss @ UCF preview

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this fall to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA football coverage. Today, our Southern Miss Correspondent, Cory Gunkel, gives you a preview of the Golden Eagles' visit to UCF.

Southern Miss looks to get back on the college football circuit in an ESPN2 nationally televised game against UCF at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando tonight. The Golden Eagles, coming off of a 37-17 romping of N.C. State at home, will face the Golden Knights on the road for USM's 2006 C-USA opener. Last season Southern Miss took it to UCF, blowing away the Knights at The Rock, 52-31. This season, however, is a whole different year.

"I'm sure they were disappointed on how they played in last year's game," Southern Miss head coach Jeff Bower said. "A lot of teams feed off that and use it as motivation. All I know is that they ended up in the championship game and we didn't.

Indeed it was Central Florida playing in the inaugural C-USA Championship game last year against eventual conference champion Tulsa, but do not think Coach Bower and company have forgotten about the disappointment they felt when UCF won the Eastern Division.

"This is a very important stretch, a big test for us," said Golden Eagle offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. "It comes down to us being prepared."

Leading Johnson's offense is freshman runningback Damion Fletcher, who is the sixth best freshman back in the NCAA. Fletcher is averaging 127.3 yards per game coming into tonight's matchup, and will dazzle a national audience with his powerful legs and blazing speed. Fletch is a back that can run you over and make you miss in consecutive plays.

Junior quarterback Jeremy Young will also attempt to lead the offensive charge in Orlando against a very suspect UCF defense. Young has completed 58.5 percent of his passes and has thrown for 416 yards and two touchdowns this season, both to junior wide out and former backup quarterback Damion Fletcher.

On the other side of the ball, Southern Miss is one of the best teams in the nation on defense, and it seems as if the Nasty Bunch is finally back from a very missed hiatus.  The Golden Eagles are 1st in C-USA and 17th in the nation in tackles for losses, with linebacker James Denley with nineteen tackles.

"They have everyone back, with nine starters on each side of the ball. They have a lot of experience. We all know that they became a very good football team last year," said Bower. "We've got to continue to be the best prepared team every single day. That's the key to being successful on game day. They are a good football team."

If Southern Miss can eliminate turnovers and stop dangerous UCF quarterback Steven Moffett from producing, the Eagles should get off to a solid start in C-USA play. If not, Moffett and runningback Kevin Smith, who will be back from a one-game suspension, could avenge themselves from a loss to South Florida last Saturday.

With a week off from the schedule, both teams should be well-rested and ready to play in a game which will be viewed by millions of recruits, coaches, alumni, and fans.

Let's get it on.