Tigers depending on young players

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UCF hasn't been the only Conference USA school forced to rely on a host of underclassmen this season. Though it's largely been due to injuries, Saturday's opponent Memphis has also leaned on its younger bodies this season.

Memphis Coach Tommy West said earlier this week that 20 players have missed games this season due to injuries.

Three weeks ago against Tulsa, Memphis played 26 freshmen or sophomores against Tulsa and all four defensive ends that played against Marshall were freshmen.

"I look at the safety position, which now has been decimated," West said. "We're playing now with a redshirt freshman wide receiver [Alton Starr] that plays every snap at safety for us last night and was trying really hard. We've got people out there who probably aren't ready to be out there. That's going to help them later down the road, but they're not ready for prime time."
Kyle Hightower: Sentinel Staff Writer