Knights run into trouble

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ORLANDO -- Even the role of spoiler doesn't seem to suit UCF.

The Knights' downward spiral continued Saturday evening with their fourth-straight loss, an uninspiring 23-10 Conference USA defeat at the hands of East Division-leading East Carolina. A victory over the Pirates (5-4, 4-2) would have put a dent in ECU's chances of reaching the Dec. 2 C-USA title game.

The loss was UCF's fifth in six home games this season. Its only victory came in the season-opener against I-AA Villanova.

The Knights came into the game with slim hopes of winning their final four games to stay in contention for the C-USA East Division title. Any thought in that direction dissipated when Kyle Israel's second-down pass from his 43 with 50 seconds remaining was intercepted and returned 51 yards for the clinching touchdown by East Carolina cornerback Kasey Ross.
Shawn Akers: Daytona Beach News Journal