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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 19, 2007

O'Leary Concerned By Lack Of Offensive Consistency
Though his defense has given up 116 points in the past two games, it's the offense that has Central Florida coach George O'Leary concerned.

The Knights (3-3) had season lows in rushing yards (61), passing yards (84) and total offense (145) in its 64-12 loss to the University of South Florida. Even more glaring, the Knights had 17 offensive possessions against USF last week and went three-and-out 13 times.

'I don't like the direction we're going offensively,' O'Leary said. 'There's too much inconsistency, too many turnovers. We are putting our defense on the field too often and in too many bad field positions.'

UCF has turned the ball over eight times in its past two games. For the season, UCF has 16 turnovers to just five for opponents.

The Knights defense won't have it any easier this week against Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane (4-2) are second nationally in total offense, averaging 572.8 yards per game. They are scoring 39 points a game. Senior QB Paul Smith is fourth in the country with 368 yards passing per game.

Former Bull Excelling At Bethune-Cookman

Even former University of South Florida players are having a good run these days.

Ronnie McCullough, who played linebacker at USF before transferring to Bethune-Cookman University, has been eating up MEAC competition the past three weeks.

McCullough has 45 tackles in his past three games, including a career-high 20 against Morgan State. He's had six tackles for a loss this season, leading a Wildcats defensive unit that's been put under a lot of pressure by its mistake-prone offense.

'Ronnie is a great athlete who's been making plays all over the field for us this season,' B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt said. 'We've been looking for leaders and he's certainly been one for us this year.'

McCullough sat out spring football because of injuries and missed the season opener with a pulled hamstring but is fit now.

The Wildcats (2-4) face Winston-Salem State (3-3) this weekend. It's their final nonconference game this season. B-CU's only two wins this year were against nonconference opponents.

Bill Fay

AROUND THE STATE

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