Knights dismiss talk of rivalry
Most players view Memphis as just another game
With the sting of a series of losses to UCF still fresh on their minds, Memphis players began this week with talk of revenge. But for the Knights, who outlasted the Tigers in overtime last year to win the conference championship, this game is just like any other.
“We take every game on our schedule one game at a time and this is just another one,” senior offensive lineman Wyatt Miller said.
Miller dismissed any notion that the series with Memphis was a rivalry.
“No, as I said, it’s just another game on our schedule. Our rivals are the other people down south,” Miller said, alluding to USF. “That’s our rivalry game, this is just another game on our schedule.”
UCF senior defensive lineman Joey Connors added, “I just look at it as another game this week. One of our goals is to go 1-0 each week, and this week it’s Memphis.”
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson, meanwhile, told The Commericial-Appeal, “We got to get revenge.”
UCF defensive end Titus Davis acknowledged the Knights and the Tigers have been among the strongest American Athletic Conference teams recently and understands why the Tigers are fired up.
“I see it as another big game,” Davis said. “They’re a big team in our conference and I understand that we played a lot of big games against them last year, but not a rivalry.
“As far as them saying this is a get-back game, it should be for them. We did win the last few games we’ve played against them.”
UCF and Memphis have met 12 previous times, with the Knights winning 11 consecutive games.
The Tigers traveled to Orlando on Sept. 30, 2017, for a game that had been rescheduled due to Hurricane Irma. The Knights earned a 40-13 win. UCF hosted Memphis on Dec. 2 in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game, with the Knights winning 62-55 in overtime.
Now Memphis is pushing to finally beat UCF, snapping the nation’s longest win streak in the process.
“I feel like it’s going to be a really good game, high energy with a lot of people flying around,” said UCF receiver Tre Nixon, who joined the Knights in the spring. “I think we’ll be ready for it, and I think they’ll be ready for it, too.”
UCF coach Josh Heupel wasn’t around for last season’s intense games against Memphis, but the first-year coach knows the energy the Tigers will bring to the game.
“They’re well-coached and they have great players. I’m sure they’re looking forward to it; our players are as well,” he said. “It’s
an opportunity for us to get back out on the road.”
Heupel has been a part of rivalry games dating back to his days as a quarterback at Oklahoma.
“Great rivalry games are fun because you get the best from the other side and you had better bring yours, too,” he said.
Jackson making progress
Heupel gave an update on the status of injured offensive lineman Samuel Jackson, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee late in spring practice.
“Medically, he's gotten to the point where he’s cleared. We want to make sure we put him in the best position that when he ends up playing that he's physically 100 percent ready to play,” Heupel said of the sophomore's status. “Even though you're cleared, I think there's still progression.”
Jackson played in all 13 games last season for the Knights.
Davis earns honor
Defensive end Titus Davis earned American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors Monday after recording six tackles, one sack, three tackles for a loss and a forced fumble during the Knights’ win over SMU Saturday.
“He's got a big voice within our program and inside of the locker room, and we’ve seen that since Day 1,” Heupel said of the senior.
Davis said former UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin congratulated him on the honor as well.
“A lot of guys who’ve come before me have gotten this award,” Davis said.