Miami Hurricanes running back Javarris James is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game.
Coach Randy Shannon said Thursday it is unlikely James plays Saturday against Central Florida at Dolphin Stadium. James suffered a high ankle sprain Sept. 6 in the first half against Florida. He returned to practice this week, but only in a limited role.
"I don't think Javarris will be able to go, but I'm not sure yet,"
Shannon said. "But I don't think he will."
The Hurricanes will continue to rely on sophomore Graig Cooper, who leads the team with 322 yards and three touchdowns. His backup, senior Derron Thomas, has played most of the second half during James' absence.
The final non-conference game awaits the UCF football team this Saturday when it travels south to square off against Miami at 3:45 p.m. on ESPNU. The contest marks the first meeting between the Knights and Hurricanes on the gridiron.
A victory this weekend would pull the Knights to an even 3-3 record heading into their clash at Tulsa Oct. 26. The Black and Gold are coming off a 37-17 performance over SMU Oct. 4, a game that saw redshirt freshman Ronnie Weaver rack up 123 yards and a touchdown on the ground. It was the Wabasso native's first-career 100-yard rushing game.
LOTS OF FANS: UCF should have at least 5,500 fans at Dolphin Stadium Saturday.
Joe Hornstein, UCF's associate athletic director for marketing and communications, said UCF received a 5,300-ticket allotment from Miami.
The Knights returned 300 of those tickets because they were in a section far away from UCF's block of tickets. Hornstein said UCF expected to sell or use the 5,000 tickets, with many players requesting their NCAA-approved four free tickets for family members attending the game.
SACKLESS: Miami was held without a sack in last week's loss to Florida State.
The Hurricanes rank 56th nationally in sacks, which could be harder to come by with senior Eric Moncur (two sacks) out at least three games with a leg injury.
Sophomore defensive end Allen Bailey was expected to have a productive season, but he has been held without a sack in his first year after switching from linebacker.
As a defense, Miami has struggled mightily inside the redzone, ranking last nationally allowing a score all 16 times an opponent has entered the redzone with 14 touchdowns and two field goals.
INJURY UPDATE: WR Leonard Hankerson (leg) is listed as doubtful for this week. Starters LB Colin McCarthy (shoulder), DE Eric Moncur (leg), and RT Reggie Youngblood (leg) have been ruled out.
