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Knights Ready For Big Challenge

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2007

Mike Walker was a two-time All-Conference USA selection at wide receiver for the Central Florida Knights, playing from 2003-2006, enduring a 17-game losing streak and reaching the school's first bowl game after the 2005 season. Walker had 184 career receptions for 2,561 yards and 17 touchdowns. He became a third-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars and has spent his rookie season on injured reserve. Walker talked about the UCF-USF series.

This is a game of respect. Maybe with the fans, it's a little more heated. But I know we always really respected USF. And I feel like the USF players know they have to respect UCF.

These are two good football teams that have always been in the shadow of the state's Big Three. But they're coming out of the shadows now. People know about UCF and USF, not just around the state, but around the nation.

I think it's obvious this game should be played every season. This is the Battle of I-4. The two schools are like an hour apart. The fans love it. The players look forward to it.

It's going to be a great challenge for UCF. Obviously, beating the No. 5-ranked team in the nation would be a huge step and it would also be the first time we beat USF. My attitude would be, 'Hey, it's about time.' I think we're ready to make that next step.

Am I surprised USF is ranked this high? Not at all. They're playing in the Big East, not a bad conference at all, and they've always had the athletes. It was just a matter of time. Their time is now.

But I also think that's the case for UCF. Our program is on the move. We've got a new stadium on campus and I went to the opener against Texas. It was crazy, like UCF's Super Bowl. Man, we've really turned into a big-time football program.

Can UCF win this game? Of course we can. Last season's game was back and forth, back and forth, before USF won at the end. I think this will be another great one. And I'm hoping it can just grow from here, becoming like another version of the Florida-FSU game.

Of course, in any rivalry, you can't have one team winning all the games. We've got to get one. I'd like to get this one.

Joey Johnston

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