In my first season with UCF (Dynasty on Heisman) I really didn't have big expectations.  This team was pretty foreign to me and I wasn't sure who would really make the plays for me throughout the season.  Like any new coach I hadn't figured out my offensive scheme and was merely feeling around.  I started the season 0-2 with a big loss to Arkansas 48-28 and a defensive struggle against my rival South Florida that saw the Bulls get the last laugh with a 20-13 win.  That was a game, looking back now, that if I had played later in the season would have been a win for sure.  But nonetheless I was 0-2.  My first statement game came in week four after a bye week.  Staring at a possible 0-3 start and having to travel to the #22 Cincinnati Bearcats, something had to happen.  Well, by week three I had finally discovered a nice play action scheme that would keep defenses guessing -- switching between an I-Formation run & pass combo to a Shotgun TE Play-Action pass.  Needless to say, I was able to shock the Bearcats 26-21 -- leading at one point 26-14 before a late touchdown.  Things didn't get better quickly.  With my confidence high I traveled to El Paso, Texas to face UTEP only to get completely mauled.  The offense sputtered and the defense was completely confused with a 30-9 loss.  In Week 6, at 1-3, Southern Methodist came to town and a ***** ensued.  We traded scores through the first half and into the second half with the only difference being that I was able to hold the Mustangs to only a field goal in the 3rd Quarter to steal a 21-17 lead.  My Rushing Defense (which would become the #1 Rush Defense in the Nation) held the Mustangs to 5 yards on five carries -- forcing every point to come from the air.  SMU - 30, UCF - 35.  And Alas, I am 2-3.  The vaunted Hurricanes were next in what I knew was not going to be easy.  Personally, besides the later struggle against UAB, this was a scary match that became a nightmare.  Miami ran all over me and I gave up the most rushing yards in this one game (147).  Miami - 41, UCF - 29.  Now, at 2-4 is  where things get interesting.  The remainder of my schedule boasted 3 losing records and 2 teams at .500.  If there was any chance of making a run at the C-USA championship or a Bowl Game, now was the time.

In comes Tulsa -- the untested, 7-0 team who is ranked #22 in the nation and sits atop the CUSA, albeit they are in another division.  My offense just seemed motivated to be honest.  The play action was working and my offense did not sputter, despite injuries forcing a swap at the quarterback position twice during the game.  Entering the 4th Quarter I was ahead 24-14 and just praying I could hold on for what could be a statement game and a shot at getting closer to .500.  Able to do just that, I hold on for a 24-21 victory and knock Tulsa from the unbeaten ranks -- and this wouldn't be are last meeting.

The next three games were the easiest of the season ---  In the ECU game alone, my CB Burnett recorded 5 interceptions and a touchdown to really set himself apart as the main candidate for the Thorpe Award.

ECU - (56-19) W
Southern Miss - (31-10) W
@ Marshall (45 - 25) W

At this point, I am really picking up steam and am sitting atop the C-USA (East) Division with a 5-1 Conference Record and a 6-4 record, not to mention a 4 game winning streak.

@ Memphis didn't seem like a tough game to be honest. I expected a hiccup or two, but still, an easy win.  Well, at the end of the first half it was 10-10 -- with the thick snow not really helping anything.  In the third quarter, an 80 yard drive that took up 3:55 seconds put me up 17-10 -- then an early fourth quarter field allowed for me to have a 20-10 lead.  Midway through the fourth, Memphis made a beautiful drive to cut the lead to 20-17, but my offense was able to milk away the clock and win 20-17.  At 7-4 and atop the C-USA (EAST) I was a happy camper and looking forward to blowing out UAB (4-7).

Well, UAB in Week 14 decided to come to Orlando, FL and just try and shock the world.  Midway through the 3rd Quarter the Dragons lead 21-7 and I am in fear of dropping an embarrassing game.  In a nice turn of events I am able to score twice and tie it at 21-21.  UAB Answers right back with a big drive to lead 28-21, only for me to have a big drive of my own and answer back as well.  With the Score 28-28 and only 2:52 second left in the 4th Quarter, UAB drives down the field and into Knight territory with the clock falling under 1 minute.  Panicking, the defense still stops a crucial third down attempt and with 00:47 seconds remaining the Dragons get a field goal (31-28).

In what I can only describe as destiny, my kick return man takes the kick off for a 38 yard run close to midfield to set up some quick passes for a possible tie -- and with 2 seconds remaining, Dodds, my kicker is able to boot a 44 yard kick barely over the uprights after an attempted freeze by UAB.  Into OT we go.

In Overtime, I won the toss and gave UAB the ball first.  In the second play from scrimmage UAB's quarterback has a mental lapse and throws a lame duck to my star CB Burnett who takes the interception all the way, 96 yards for the game ending touchdown.  UCF wins 37-31.

In the C-USA Championship I faced the familiar Tulsa team who had lost only once the entire season -- to UCF and sat at 11-1 and now ranked #19 in the nation.

Both Quarterbacks from Tulsa and UCF threw five interceptions EACH, but the difference this time around was that three of the interceptions by UCF went for pick 6's and the UCF defense recovered from all of the interceptions to stop Tulsa.  In shocking fashion I destroy Tulsa 38-10.

CUSA Champs and 9-4!!!  Off to Memphis to face Ole Miss (9-4) in the Music City Bowl!