A week after making what coach Randy Shannon called the costliest mistake of the game in a loss to Florida State, Sam Shields redeemed himself Saturday night by making arguably the game's most important play in a 20-14 win against UCF.

Shields, a junior, recovered a fumbled punt at the UCF 5-yard line late in the fourth quarter, which led to Graig Cooper's game-winning touchdown run.

Last week, Shields dropped a pass and ran out with the wrong unit late in the game, hurting UM's chances of scoring the go-ahead touchdown. Shannon was critical of Shields, but UM's second-leading receiver a year ago said he didn't take Shannon's comments personally even though he didn't play a down of receiver against UCF.

''I didn't take it hard; I just took it like I have to step my game up and work harder,'' Shields said.

HOME AGAIN

Former South Floridian and longtime Orange Bowl Committee executive director Keith Tribble returned to Dolphin Stadium as Central Florida's athletic director.

''It feels great being back here after so many years being a part of this stadium and having the Orange Bowl game here,'' said Tribble, who took over as AD in June 2006. ``I love my job. I really enjoy being back on a college campus and affecting young people's lives. We're trying to build a program, and we're trying to do it the right way.''

Tribble said the biggest challenge of his job is finances.

BACK ON THE FIELD

UM junior offensive lineman Chris Barney played for the first time this season. Barney injured his knee in fall camp and was expected to miss most of the season.

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