Aresco: Knights’ win ‘huge’ for conference
play at Michigan in 2016.
“It gives them a chance to spread the brand in a big Mike Aresco was beamnational game,” Aresco ing like a proud papa. said. “Look at UConn
The commissioner of playing Michigan … that the fledgling American did a lot for our conference. Athletic Conference was UConn struggled this year, asked about the impact of but to almost win a game UCF’s win over Louisville against Michigan on nathat vaulted the Knights to tional TV with 63 percent the No. 23 spot in the Bowl of the country watching, Championship Series that’s the kind of thing we standings. It was a game need to build this conferthe Knights ralied to win ence. We don’t have to be 38-35 in front of a national the Big Ten, we don’t have audience on ESPN. The to be the SEC and we don’t contest drew 2.2 million have to be the Pac-12. We viewers, making it the want to be one of the six most-watched Friday night that stands out and can college football broadcast compete with them. on ESPN so far this season. “I just want people to
“I think it’s a seminal give us a fair shot.” moment for UCF’s proAresco also touched on gram,” Aresco said the value of playing games
“I think [it] is going to be broadcast nationally on a launching pad for many Thursday and Friday years to come. They’ve nights. [UCF] done some signifi“One, not that many peocant things in the past. ple play on Friday night, They’ve won big bowl which means we have a games — they beat Georgia chance for a national showin 2010 — and they’ve had case onESPN,” Aresco said. somebig winsandtheyhad “Additionally, Thursday that signature win at Penn night is still valuable. That State, but it didn’t have the is the game that people audience the size of the who follow college football ESPN audience.” will be watching.”
Aresco pointed out that The American is one of “Every time you get him the Oct. 18 game drew great the few conferences that on the football field, which ratings, even outdrawing plays Thursday and Friday is very rare, I feel bad, besome of the more imporgames. cause his heart is as genuine tant games that weekend. Aresco said the league hostile remarks about the as the day is long,” FSU He also pointed out that needs to continue to do so Seminoles’ opponents. But coach Jimbo Fisher said. the gamewasNo. 1onTwitin the future, especially he madeit clear he’s looking “There’s not a bad bone in ter, which is a good sign for when it comes to showing forward to No. 3 FSU’s (7-0, his body. He’s a total team a league built after the colits value to broadcast part5-0 ACC) game against the guy, he’ll do whatever we lapse of the Bigask.”East. ners ESPN and CBS. Hurricanes in Tallahassee
“I don’t think you can Part of improving the Saturday. With a simple running overstate what that [game] league’s overall image “[I’ve] always got a chip style, Freeman (5-9, 203) meant long-term,” said Arhinges on its involvement on my shoulder, but it’s a compensates for a lack of esco. “It’s just huge for this in the postseason. different type of chip on my prototypical size or speed program.” Aresco said he is content shoulder, knowing more with physical aggression
Aresco is counting on with the varity of bowl oppeople from Miami are goand natural instincts. teams like UCF and Houstions for AAC teams. ing to be watching,” Free“He’s a tough runner. A ton, which boast unde“We have a lineup that man said. tough, smart runner. Just a feated conference records, includes good destinations Freeman, a junior, is one guythat’s waiting for his opto help give the American a like St. Petersburg, Boca of three strong tailbacks portunity and when he gets boost in the national spotRaton, Bahamas, Miami, contributing heavily to it, he’s going to make the light. The league needs Fort Worth, the Military FSU’s offense this season. best of it,” said Miami runteams to make the most of Bowl in [Washington] D.C., He leads the Seminoles ning back Duke Johnson, its nonconference matchBirmingham and Hawaii,” with 561 rushing yards and who played youth football ups. Down the line, he Aresco said. six touchdowns, but his valwith Freeman. “Very hardhopes UCF and SMU can ue carries far beyond his working guy, humble. … My score upsets when they ability as a runner. type of guy.”
Unassuming in his demeanor, Freeman’s quest to 1,000 yards has gone under the radar, which he likes. The subtle approach has endeared Freeman to his teammates.
“He’s not as fast as me, not as big as James [Wilder Jr.], but I believe he’s the best out of the three because of the way he carries himself,” FSU running back Karlos Williams said. “He always goes to class, always goes to study hall. He’s always the first one in the weight room, the last one to leave. … He’s always been that dependable guy since he goes there.”
Williams has seen a tangible difference in Freeman this week, stating that he’s working even harder than normal in practice.
Freeman grew up a fan of