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5 UCF Knights With the Biggest Shoes to Fill in 2014

5 UCF Knights With the Biggest Shoes to Fill in 2014

UCF Knights
Casey Sapio - USA Today Sports

While the 2013 season was successful for the UCF Knights, most of their fans are not satisfied with being a one-year wonder, and are hoping for sustained success for years to come. In order for that to happen, they must keep the wins coming in 2014, and these five players have the biggest shoes to fill.

5. Tarik Cook, RG

UCF Knights
Brad Barr - USA Today Sports

5. Tarik Cook, RG

UCF Knights
Brad Barr - USA Today Sports

The quarterback and running back get all the glory, but the success of any offense starts up front with great line play. Junior Tarik Cook is being called on to lead a retooled offensive line that saw three of last year's starters move on because of graduation. Being joined by two returning players at LG and center should make the transition of becoming a starter easier.

4. Justin McDonald OLB

UCF Knights
David Manning - USA Today Sports

4. Justin McDonald OLB

UCF Knights
David Manning - USA Today Sports

McDonald, a sophomore from Lauderhill Fla., saw action in 2013 but is being called on to do more. If his eight-tackle, one-sack performance in the Fiesta Bowl is any indication of what is to come, the Knights are good hands. The linebacker position is already one of strength for the defense with the return of All-AAC performer Terrance Plummer. and having McDonald step in and play well gives defensive coordinator Tyson Summers more flexibility.

3. William Stanback RB

William Stanback
Brad Barr - USA Today Sports

3. William Stanback RB

William Stanback
Brad Barr - USA Today Sports

Many only acknowledge Blake Bortles when they talk of the UCF offense, but Storm Johnson gave the team a nice run option and will be missed. He won't be missed for long, though, as the talented Stanback looks for a more expanded role in the offense. In a limited role last year, the sophomore rushed for 443 yards and six touchdowns. With a new quarterback under center, many expect those numbers to double, if not triple.

2. Michael Campbell OT

UCF Knights
David Manning - USA Today Sports

2. Michael Campbell OT

UCF Knights
David Manning - USA Today Sports

The left tackle protects the most important player in the offense, the quarterback, and the Knights will have to hope that sophomore Michael Campbell is ready to step up to the challenge. At 6-foot-6, 280 pounds Campbell has the size needed to be the prototypical NFL tackle, but how will he respond once those defenses start attacking him?

1. Justin Holman QB

Justin Holman
Matthew Oharen - USA Today Sports

1. Justin Holman QB

Justin Holman
Matthew O'Haren - USA Today Sports

A lot of hope is being placed on an arm that has only 14 pass attempts, but Holman is talented enough to not only take on that pressure, but thrive in it. While Bortles showed some run ability when needed, Holman provides another element to the Knights' offense by being more elusive. That could serve as a great advantage for the QB if things break down sooner than expected offensively. But if he falters, the Knights have other options waiting.

 

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Will Stanback Must Be Leader on Offense for Central Florida Knights in 2014





As the Central Florida Knights look to build off their wildly successful 2013 campaign, they’re forced to deal with the loss of some of their biggest playmakers on offense. In addition to quarterback Blake Bortles, who was the first quarterback taken in the 2014 NFL Draft this spring, the Knights also lost their leading rusher Storm Johnson. Can Will Stanback follow up a strong freshman season to lead the team’s rushing attack this season?

Last year, Stanback saw a significant workload for a freshman, carrying the ball 105 times for 443 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 15 passes for 186 yards with a touchdown and averaged nearly 20 yards a pop on kick returns. UCF utilized Stanback in a variety of ways, gaining him plenty of experience to prepare him to be the No. 1 back in 2014.

He’ll have some very big shoes to fill. Johnson rushed for 1,139 yards, averaging 5.35 yards per carry, while adding 260 yards receiving on 30 receptions with 17 total touchdowns before declaring early for the NFL. His consistent production and tough running were integral to UCF’s run last season and finding someone who can replicate that will be vital to their chances in 2014.

Stanback showed the ability to be that guy in flashes last season in a support role but will be tasked with taking on a much bigger share of the offense in 2014. His ability to handle that extra responsibility will go a long way in helping the Knights defend their AAC title and keep UCF in the national conversation heading into the College Football Playoff this season.

You can follow me on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google

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Pressure On Justin Holman to Win QB Job for Central Florida Knights in 2014





The Central Florida Knights are coming off a wildly successful 2013 season where they finished 12-1 on the year and won a BCS bowl in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. For UCF, the road to similar success in 2014 will be tough not only because the AAC is no longer considered a “power conference” as college football transitions to a playoff system, but also because the team must replace their talented leader at quarterback Blake Bortles. Can Justin Holman step up and take the reins?

Holman is the most experienced member of the quarterback group for 2014 and came out of spring practice with a narrow lead for the starting job this fall. He served as the primary backup to Bortles as a freshman last year and saw action in three game, completing 9-of-14 passes for 75 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Holman also offers a bit of dual-threat capability, averaging 5.71 yards per carry last season.

However, the starting job is not Holman’s just yet. He was pushed during the spring by redshirt freshman Pete DiNovo and true freshman Tyler Harris and will have to deal with Boise State Broncos transfer Nick Patti as well this fall. Patti could be the top challenger for Holman in 2014 thanks his one year of college experience and a waiver that will allow him to play right away at UCF.

While the quarterback race is still up in the air, the job is ultimately Holman’s to lose. His experience in the offense last season will help him and he has the most upside and strongest arm of the group this season. If he wants to lock down the No. 1 quarterback job, however, he’ll need to step it up this fall and prove he’s the man to lead the Knights in 2014.

You can follow me on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google

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Baylor vs. Central Florida: 2014 Fiesta Bowl Game Preview With TV Schedule





After starting the season red-hot with a 9-0 record, the Baylor Bears then lost a heartbreaker to the Oklahoma State Cowboys to end their  hopes for a national title. Although they did win their first ever Big 12 conference title, the Bears were hoping for a national title and that might not be too far away.

On the other side of the field, the Central Florida Knights have been one of the most surprising teams in the nation this season by taking down the talented Louisville Cardinals to earlier in the season that led to their American Athletic Conference crown.

Baylor has one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, ranking first in the country in points per game, fifth in passing yards per game and 12th in rushing yards per contest. Bryce Petty has already mentioned that he’d be coming back for the 2014 season and that’s good news for one of the best offenses out there to get their talented quarterback back. Petty has passed for 3,844 yards and 30 touchdowns on the year for the Bears while hitting Antwan Goodley 67 times for 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns. Lache Seastrunk is a Heisman-caliber running back with 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns on over seven yards per carry.

Central Florida has a solid passing offense of its own behind the strong, reliable arm of Blake Bortles. In his junior season, Bortles has asserted himself as one of top quarterbacks in the nation and one of the top draft prospects for 2014. The junior has passed for 3,280 yards and 22 touchdowns on the year with his two favorite targets being Rannell Hall and Breshad Perriman. Hall has caught 53 passes for 773 yards and three scores while Perriman has caught 36 passes for 763 yards and three touchdowns. Storm Johnson leads the rushing attack with 1,015 yards and 11 touchdowns on 5.3 yards per carry.

Defensively, the Knights have had one of the best units in the nation. Central Florida ranks 13th in the nation in points against while also ranking 17th in yards against. Baylor has also been solid on defense this season, ranking 19th in points against as well as 22nd in yards allowed.

Central Florida will take on Baylor in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Ariz., at 8:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.

PREDICTION: Baylor 38, Central Florida 20

Related: Baylor Bears Get Major Boost in 2014 with Return of Bryce Petty

Another Close Call For Central Florida Raises Questions About Its Ranking

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].

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