The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 38

mm It's UCF A.D. after Daunte Newfilsxico vs. Central Florida ttr 9 Central Florida Coach Mike Kruczek's game-plan on Saturday went beyond mere Xs and O's. It included some theater, and the scenario unfolded better than he ever could have imagined. Somewhere late against New Mexico, he wanted a victory assured and enough time left to honor Daunte Culpepper.

than the 9-2 Knights OF '98. A tall order, to be sure. Yet, the talent has. to be corralled if UCF is serious about being a Division I-A player and ever joining a conference. The Knights can no longer rely on a one-man gang theory.

They're not going to find that one man who on Saturday Of course, dedicating a moment to easier when Daunte is also directing. passed and ran the Lobos silly in a 38-6 enabling himself to walk off the stage to cheers with 1 minute, 50 seconds left in game at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Then, Culpepper little-used back-up Daunte is Culpepper victory, farewell his final and SENTINEL COLUMNIST buddy, Jason Thorpe, came in to throw a keepsake TD pass in his last game. The ending for Daunte as was as perfect as the beginning was four years ago, when he wowed the nation in his freshman debut. tween UCF and long-established I-A programs.

"For life after Daunte, we'll have to find a quarterback who can run this offense," Kruczek said. "We're all spoiled. You don't find a guy like this in 20 years." Asked if he had a suitable successor, Kruczek said, "I feel like he's on campus." In-house candidates include junior Kelvin Robinson and freshman Brad Banks, both red-shirted this season and considered the front-runners. Robinson is more mature and has a stronger arm. Banks is likened to Charlie Ward.

Former South Carolina QB Victor Perm wants to sign. Culpepper's storybook stay has caused various other star high schoolers to think UCF Culpepper meant everything to the Knights off the field, too. 'You can't put dollars and cents on what he's meant to us. This is a football area now, and it used to be a tourist town," Kruczek said. "He was a Godsend." Apparently, not everybody wanted to see his send-off.

Attendance for the 1 p.m. game was 19,025. An embarrassingly weak turnout to see a swan-songing Heisman candidate and a team with bowl possibilities. AD Steve Sloan has to avoid butting heads against Gators-Seminoles. Those in the crowd chanted "Daunte! Daunte! Daunte!" as he came off the turf the final time.

Teammates embraced him, showing genuine love instead of jealousy for their humble star. Culpepper was moved, saying, "It took my breath away, but I'm not the type of guy to let it show. "I think everybody tried to get tears out of me," he said with a laugh. "They didn't get them." They got everything else. You couldn't have scripted it better" said.

Now Kruczek has an even tougher job Kruczek ahead to choreograph: Not allowing the Culpepper Years to remain the highlight for too long. gave us a capsulized version of his career at UCF Culpepper not only passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns to run the school-record up to 84, but he also added 94 yards rushing, accounting for 357 of his team's 465 yards. Just another day at the offense. Culpepper became only the third player in NCAA history to pass for more than 10,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000. He was responsible for 70 percent of UCF's offense this season and no other Division I-A player could say that.

In other words, he meant everything to UCF on the field. He was Jordanesque. The next Knight following Daunte will still throw the ball frequently, but UCF must have better balance across the board (defense and running game) to offset Culpepper's absence. The quarterback factors into UCFs game-planning the way a running back factors into Nebraska's. He is a focal point for Kruczek.

Not just because Mike played the position and fancies himself an offensive guru, but because a sterling passing game can often bridge the talent gap be What's the statute of limitations on basking? If we're all still reminiscing about the good-old the drowning days with Daunte in five years, well, Knights will be either treading water or in it. Oh, they'll never see another one way again like Culpepper at least not terback. then pass their But if Kruczek and his staff can prove they Nonsant's fumble, forced by New Mexico's Marcus McDavid at his own 3-yard line, on the opening drive. Nonsant redeemed himself with his next two touches, running over McDavid at the end of a 10-yard gain and finishing the drive with a 13-yard TD reception in the second quarter that gave UCF the lead for good. KICKING HIMSELF UCF SENIOR kicker Fred Wac-zewski had missed only one extra point this season (35-for-36 PAT) heading into the regular-season finale.

He missed all three attempts against the Lobos. Senior Chad Downey replaced Waczewski and was good on the Knights' last two attempts. THE CROWD? A DISAPPOINTMENT for the Knights was the size of the announced crowd 19,025. UCF had averaged more than 29,000 for its four previous home games. Possible contributing factors may have been the early starting time, the Florida-Florida State game on TV and the game between Florida and Bethune-Cookman taking place later Saturday in the Florida Citrus Bowl.

"We will look into it." UCF Athletic Director Steve Sloan said. "But the last game of the year is almost always our lowest attended, perhaps because it follows the Homecoming Game." ETC. LINEBACKERS DEAUBREY De-vine and Mike Palmer led the defense with eight tackles each, while linebacker Deon Porter had seven tackles, three tackles for lost yardage and the Knights' only sack. New Mexico safety Brian Ur-lacher had 11 tackles, giving him 170 for the season. The Lobos scored on their first drive of 97 yards in 14 plays but their other nine possessions ended in eight punts and an intercepted pass.

No other drive went more than 37 yards. JERRY GREENE and JAVIER SOLANO FOURTH QUARTER UCF Burley 91 punt return. Downey kick. 14.40. 31-6, UCF.

UCF Hinshaw 25 pass from Thorpe. Downey kick. Key play: Hinshaw 29 pass from Thorpe. 80 yards, 9 plays, 0:17. 38-6, UCF.

THE SEASON can score recruiting coups signing stars who won't make the cut at Florida, Miami they can put together a better few r- 1 1 the I JOHN RAOUXTHE ORLANDO SENTINEL SWEET REVENGE RECEIVER SIAHA Burley caught an 11 -yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter and followed that with a 91 -yard punt return for another score to start the fourth quarter in Saturday's 38-6 romp over New Mexico, and with that, the senior from Mesa, quickly had his measure of revenge. In his final game at Florida Citrus Bowl, Burley finished with 228 all-purpose yards, his sixth 100-yard receiving performance of the season and was able to show his wares to the football program that passed him over. "I kind of wanted to go there when I took my trip there, but they didn't offer me a scholarship," Burley said. "I was looking forward to playing them." Burley's punt return set a UCF record. He also set another school record for catches in a season after his 10 receptions against New Mexico gave him 86 for the year.

RIGHT PLACE UNDER MORE dramatic circumstances, it could have been nominated for Immaculate Interception. As it turned out, UCF lineman Justen Moore's hot-potato pickoff early in the second half was only a lead jab for the knockout punch. Rolling right, New Mexico quarterback Graham Leigh's pass was deflected straight up by UCF's Marv Richardson. Leigh got the loose ball first and tried to do the safe thing, spiking it for an incom-pletion. Instead, he batted the ball forward and into Moore's stomach.

For the surprised lineman, wearing black anti-glare on his face like an extra from pro wrestling's Legion of Doom, it was his second career interception and similar to the first. Last year, Moore picked off a screen pass that bounced off a leg. "I could be the luckiest guy in the world," Moore said. REDEMPTION EXCLUDING A kneel-down on the final play, the Knights scored touchdowns on three of four possessions in the first half. The only glitch was senior receiver Mark SCORING New Mexico 6 0 0 06 UCF 612 614-38 FIRST QUARTER NM Leigh 9 run.

Kick failed. Key play: Stafford 36 pass from Leigh. 97 yards, 14 plays, 7:29 remaining. 6-0, New Mexico. UCF Grant 2 run.

Kick failed. Key play: Mack 41 kickoff return. 46 yards, 9 plays, 2:56. 6-6. SECOND QUARTER UCF Nonsant 1 3 pass from Culpepper.

Kick failed. Key play: Culpepper 31 run. 80 yards, 8 plays, 11:52. 12-6, UCF. UCF Grant 4 run.

Pass failed. Key play: Burley 34 punt return. 45 yards, 10 plays, 3:16. 18-6, UCF. THIRD QUARTER UCF Burley 1 1 pass from Culpepper.

Kick failed. Key play: Moore intercept Leigh pass on NM 11. 11 yards, 1 play, 13:43. 24-6, UCF. at quar prep FSU and team NT :irV.t' "YW1 LA.

'f game and she have to wait to find ft accepted. Palmer, however, will out UCF's bowl status. I do. UCF linebacker Mike Palmer proposed to his girlfriend, Jennifer Hughey, after Saturday's Knights now play waiting game UCF waits for bid to bowl The Golden Knights are being heavily considered by the Miami-based Micron PC Bowl, as well as three others. By Jerry Greene OF THE SENTINEL STAFF They couldn't make any promises.

But they offered a lot of hope. Mike Rudolph and Mike Cochran represented the Micron PC Bowl at Central Florida's final regular-season game Saturday and made it clear they will be supportive of the Golden Knights if their bowl has to go shopping for an at-large team. "Last year we came to one of UCF's games as a courtesy call," Cochran said, "but this time it's much more than that." Michigan State could turn the visit into a formality again because the Spartans have a guaranteed trip to fhe Micron Bowl if they qualify by beating Penn State next Saturday. But if they don't? "If Michigan State isn't our team," said Rudolph, "Central Florida certainly is at least among our top five. We know they have a strong following, and we'd love to see their fans in our stands.

"We'd also love to see quarterback Daunte Culpepper on our field. He's exciting, and the entire UCF team is exciting. It's tough to go to a bowl as an independent, but UCF certainly is worthy and should go somewhere." Rudolph said Saturday's disappointing attendance of 19,025 "didn't help," but he did not think it would be a serious factor due to UCF's strong earlier showings. The Micron PC, formerly the Carquest Bowl, is one of four bowls that may have an interest in the Knights, along with the Aloha (Honolulu, Dec. 25), the Music City (Nashville, Dec.

29) and possibly the Motor City (Detroit, Dec. 23). "We don't really care where we go," Culpepper said. "We just want to be the first UCF team to go to a The Knights will meet Monday afternoon and then get off the rest of the week for the Thanksgiving holidays. The Micron is scheduled to match the fourth team from the Atlantic Coast Conference, possibly North Carolina State, with the sixth team from the Big Ten.

But the Big Ten only has five bowl-qualified teams, leaving the Micron waiting anxiously for Michigan State (6-5), which must win at Penn State to qualify. When a team plays 11 games, it must win six to qualify, but when a team plays 12, it must win seven. And even if Michigan State does qualify, the Spartans would go somewhere else if two Big Ten teams (Wisconsin and Ohio State) are selected for the Bowl Championship Series. Other teams being watched by the Micron include Miami or Virginia Tech of the Big East, Alabama of the Southeastern Conference and Louisville and East Carolina of Conference USA. The Micron Bowl will be played on Dec.

29 and will be televised by I Date Result Sept. 5 UCF 64, La. Tech 30 Sept. 12 UCF 4B, Eastern Illinois 0 Sept. 19 Purdue 35, UCF 7 Sept.

26 UCF 38, Bowling Green 31 Oct. 3 UCF 31, Toledo 24 Oct. 10 UCF 38, N. Illinois 17 Oct. 24 UCF 42, SW Louisiana 10 Oct.

31 UCF 44, Youngstown St. 32 Nov. 7 Auburn 10, UCF 6 Nov. 14 UCF 37, Ball State 14 Nov. 21 UCF 38, New Mexico 6 Marching on.

Mike Grant, a senior running back for the Golden Knights, ran for 2 touchdowns in his final Citrus Bowl appearance. THE STATISTICS INDIVIDUAL NM UCF from C-1 The Knights, meanwhile, find their season to be suspended in stead of ended. The best season in school histo ry has certainly made them bowl eligible, but they probably will have to wait at least a week before finding out if any bowl is going to call. "We've done what we can do," Palmer said about UCF's bid to be bowl worthy. "Now we just pray every night that things go our way." Central Florida closed its scheduled season with one of its best all-around efforts of the year.

Except for a first-drive fumble, the Knights were deadly efficient on offense; except for giving up a first-drive touchdown, the Knights were unyielding on defense; and except for four failures on extra-point attempts, the Knights were sensational on special teams. "We finished the season in fine fashion," said UCF Coach Mike Kruczek, "and it felt nice." After allowing the Lobos a 6-0 lead, the Knights were never in trouble again. Leading 18-6 early in the second half, they put the game away on back-to-back plays. Lobos quarterback Graham Leigh had an attempted pass batted back into his face by UCF defensive end Marv Richardson. Leigh tried to knock the ball into the ground, but UCF tackle Justen Moore intercepted it on the Lobos' 11-yard line.

On the next play, quarterback Daunte Culpepper found receiver Siaha Burley between three would-be defenders for a touchdown and an 18-point lead. The celebrations on the home sidelines could have started then. One disappointment was the size of the crowd 19,025 which was 10,000 less than the average of the previous four home games. But those who attended seemed to love every minute of it and proved it with one standing ovation after another. No one got more applause than Culpepper, who finished his regular-season career with just about every school passing record conceivable and some national marks, TEAM -4-1 JOHN RAOUXTHE ORLANDO SENTINEL tion and a 91-yard punt return, the longest in UCF history.

He totaled 10 catches for 103 yards, setting the school single-season mark of 86 receptions. Said Burley: "It was the first catch today that meant the most to me, because it gave me the record. I really wanted that." Mike Grant also scored twice on runs of 2 and 4 yards, while Mark Nonsant caught Culpepper's other scoring pass of 13 yards. And backup quarterback Jason Thorpe got into the game in time to throw a 25-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left to sophomore receiver Tyson Hinshaw. A senior, Thorpe ended his career (not counting a bowl) on the highest of notes.

"I feel great now," said Thorpe. "I guess a touchdown pass will do that for you. Now we play the waiting game." And as the game ended, the ice-water bouquets fell upon Kruczek, Culpepper, Thorpe and anyone else who wanted to be pnrt of a really fine day. Playar No. Ydi vj TD Baxter 9 40 4.4 0 Gratiam 9 31 34 1 Johnson 7 31 4.3 0 Gorton 7 25 3.3 0 Marion 5 20 4.0 II Leigh 2 15 7.5 0 Wiggins 2 9 45 0 Jaworsky 2 1 0.5 0 Patting PlayM Atl Com Inl Ydl TD Leigh 22 12 1 135 0 Jaworsky 4 2 0 18 0 Receiving Player No.

Vdl Avg TD Startord 4 55 1 3.8 0 Williams 3 50 16.7 0 Retains 2 21 10.5 0 Johnson 2 15 7.5 0 Milner 2 12 6.0 0 Marion 1 0 0.0 0 Punl relurnl Player No. Vdl Avg TD Smith 1 6 60 0 Kichort relume Player No. Vdl Aig TD Manon 6 97 16 2 0 Johnson 1 17 170 0 NM UCF 1ST DOWNS 19 23 Rushing 10 9 Passing 8 14 Penalty 1 0 3RD OWN EPF 5-15 8-12 4TH DWN EFF 0-0 1-1 TTL NT YDS. 318 465 Total plays 69 66 Avg. gain 4 6 7.0 NET YDS.

RSH 165 145 Rushes 43 29 Avg. per rush 3.8 5.0 NET YDS. PASS 153 320 14-26 27-37 Yds per pass 10.9 11.9 Sack-Yds. lost 4-21 1-12 Had intercepted 1 0 PUNTS-Avg. 8-42 2-34 Had blocked 0 0 RETURN YDS.

120 188 Punt returns 1-6 3-125 Kick returns 7-114 2-63 Interceptions 0-0 1-1 PENALTIES 3-19 4-41 FUMBLES-Lost 1-0 3-1 INDIVIDUAL UCF flushing Rushing Player No. Vdl Avg TD Culpepper 18 94 5.2 Mack 5 28 5 6 6 23 3 8 Giant Patsing Player Alt Com Inl Yds TO Culpepper 32 23 0 263 Thorpe 5 4 0 57 Receiving Player Burley Nonsant Clark Lee Hinshaw Grant Leister No. Vdl Avg 10 103 103 6 72 12,0 4 21 5.3 3 43 14 3 2 54 27 0 1 25 25.0 1 2 2.0 Interception! Player Moore No. Vdl Avg 1 1 1.0 Punl relurni Player Burley Avg 41.7 Player Mack Vdt Avg 63 31 5 Tacklai-aiiistt-mk! Palmer 7-1-0. Devine 5-3-0, Fye 7-0-0, Porter 6-1-1, Miranda 6-0-0, Hartey 3-2-0.

Oemps 4-0-0. Gates 3-0-0. Richardson 2-1-0. Oavis 2-0-0, Dedelow 2-0-0. Bush 1-1-0.

Doster 0-2-0. Rice 0-0. Rodrigeu: 1-0-0. Hinshaw 1-0-0, Mauidin l-u-u, rontniet i-u-u, iwiiy 1-0, Snyder 0-1-0, McKibben 0-1-0. too.

Culpepper completed 23 of 32 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries, including an early 53-yard run that still has the Lobos wondering how a guy that big can just disappear like that. He finished the year with 28 touchdown passes and his regular-season career with 84, both school records. And with 11,412 career passing yards and 1,020 career rushing yards, Culpepper is just the third player in NCAA history to both pass for 10,000 and rush for 1,000. Steve McNair (Alcorn State) and Doug Nussmeier (Idaho) are the only other players who have done it.

Nationally, he has set the all-time record for pass completion percentage in a single season at .736 (296 of 402), breaking the high of .718 set by Steve Young of Brigham Young in 1983. But the Knights had many other heroes: Burley scored twice in the second half on an 11-yard recep "1 Tacklei-aimll-iacki IMactar 11-0-0. Wright 7-1-2. Friday 5-0-0. Presley 3-0-0, Harper 2-1-0.

Washington 2-1-0, Tisdale 2-1-0. Smith 2-0-0. McDavid 2-0-0. Gerhardt 2-0-0, Purvis 2-0-1. Lews 1-0-0, Macra 1-0-0.

Barnett 1-0-0, Johnson 1-0-0, Pries 1-0-1. Baxter 1-0-0, Cockrell 0-1-0, Milner 0-1-0. TIME OF POSS. 30:38 29:22 Missed FQ attempt UCF: Downey 42. A 19.025..