UCF is off to a dismal 0-3 start to the season with an offense that has produced just 12 points per game. The task for the Knights won't get any easier now that star running back Williams Stanback has been dismissed from the team.
"William Stanback has been dismissed from the football team for continuous failure to comply with athletic policy and team rules," said UCF in a statement.
There are no specifics on what Stanback did to get kicked off the team, but he was clearly in George O'Leary's doghouse this year through the first three games. O'Leary will speak to the media later on Tuesday after practice.
Update: According to ESPN's Joe Schad, Stanback failed multiple drug tests for marijuana.
Stanback appeared in just two games for the Knights, getting 12 carries for 11 yards. That's a sharp decline in touches and production from 2014, when he had 189 carries for 697 yards and 10 touchdowns. That season-long performance was good enough to earn Stanback first-team All-AAC honors in 2014.
UCF's offense has been almost non-existent early this season, averaging just 3.71 yards per play through three games. The Knights have just 256 yards rushing on 101 carries this season, with freshman Taj McGowan leading the way with 35 carries for 111 yards.
Stanback was expected to be the lead back this season, but whatever trouble he has consistently found himself in has led to his dismissal. The Knights will move forward with McGowan, junior Nick Patti and others in the backfield as they look to salvage their season.
Wink of the CBS Eye to the Orlando Sentinel.
