St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - The UCF Knights and Rutgers Scarlet Knights clash at Tropicana Field this weekend, as they square off in the St. Petersburg Bowl in Florida.

The Knights obviously don't have far to travel for this game and perhaps that will help them pick up their first bowl win in their third appearance. UCF lost to Nevada in the 2005 Hawaii Bowl and Mississippi State in the 2007 Liberty Bowl, but are back in the postseason thanks to an 8-4 finish during the regular season. It was a nice bounce back for the Knights, who went just 4-8 a season ago. UCF, under the guidance of George O'Leary, came on strong down the stretch and brings a three-game win streak into this bout.

For Rutgers, it is making its school-record fifth straight bowl game appearance under head coach Greg Schiano. It is quite a remarkable feat considering prior to this run, the Scarlet Knights hadn't been to a bowl game since 1978. Rutgers is 3-2 all-time in bowl games and it has won each of its last three appearances. Like UCF, the Scarlet Knights went 8-4 during the regular season, giving the team at least eight wins for the fourth straight campaign.

This game marks the first-ever meeting between UCF and Rutgers on the gridiron.

The biggest improvement for UCF this season has come on offense, where the team is averaging nearly 120 yards and 10 points per game more than a season ago. A change at quarterback is one reason for the turnaround, as Brett Hodges stepped in for Rob Calabrese. A Wake Forest transfer, Hodges has completed 61.1 percent of his tosses for 2,263 yard and 15 touchdowns and he has helped the team move the ball consistently.

A.J. Guyton (42 catches, 559 yards), Rocky Ross (37 receptions, 412 yards) and Kamar Aiken (545 yards, seven touchdowns) are the main threats in the passing game and expect all of them to be involved in some way or another this weekend.

In the backfield, Brynn Harvey has rushed for 1,077 yards in 11 games. The sophomore back has gone over 100 yards in three straight games and his 14 rushing touchdowns are tied for the second-most in school history.

While the offense is certainly improved, the strength of this team comes on defense, where the unit ranks in the top five in both sacks and rushing yards allowed. UCF has racked up 37 sacks on the campaign, with 11 different players having contributed to that number. However, defensive ends Jarvis Geathers and Bruce Miller are the two biggest reasons for the success in bringing down opposing quarterbacks. Miller leads the way with 12 sacks and 16.5 TFLs, while Geathers checks in with 11 sacks and 13.5 TFLs.

Against the run, the Knights are allowing just 82.5 ypg and only 2.6 yards per carry to opposing clubs. The unit has given up just 10 rushing touchdowns and forced 15 fumbles. The success against the run has helped UCF limit foes to only 20.7 ppg for the season.

The secondary features three true freshman and that lack of experience has hurt UCF at times, surrendering 265.6 ypg through the air. Corner Josh Robinson however, has been a pleasant surprise during his rookie campaign and he has recorded 65 tackles, to go with a freshman school-record six interceptions.

Rutgers has struggled with consistency on the offensive side of the ball and that is too be expected with so many young players at key positions. Running the show is true freshman quarterback Tom Savage, who has a bright future ahead of him. Savage has gained valuable experience this season, but has also looked the part of a rookie, completing just 52.3 percent of his pass attempts. He has thrown for 12 touchdowns against six picks and if he is to be successful this weekend, Rutgers will have to do a better job in protection, as the team has allowed a whopping 39 sacks on the campaign.

Tim Brown is clearly the player Savage will try to get the ball to, as the speedy wideout is averaging 20.6 yards per catch. He has 1,051 yards and eight scores through the air and is the team's biggest threat to stretch the field.

Sophomore Joe Martinek paces the ground attack with 923 yards and nine touchdowns, and true freshman Mohamed Sanu will also get some looks out of the "wildcat" formations after rushing for 305 yards. The versatile Sanu is also a wide receiver that ranks second on the team with 47 catches and 542 yards.

Rutgers possesses one of the better defenses around, although this unit did most of its damage against the weaker teams on its schedule. Still, the Scarlet Knights are holding foes to 17.4 ppg and 312.2 total ypg and those are some pretty solid numbers. Generating big plays has also been a strength of this defense, which has forced 32 turnovers and recorded 34 sacks.

Defensive end Jonathan Freeny has helped to create big plays with his pressure off the edge. He currently leads Rutgers with 8.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries and he will need to shine if Rutgers is to stop UCF's improved offense.

Devin McCourty highlights the secondary and he is a shutdown corner and leader of this unit. In 12 games, McCourty has racked up a team-high 78 tackles and he also has big-play potential.