STC's Brown a rock for bowl-bound C. Florida

Can you answer this trivia question?

Name the current college football player who has started 37 games in three seasons -- the most by any junior in the country at his position?

Here's a hint -- he used to play high school football at St. Charles North.

And the answer is…Patrick Brown.

Brown will make his 38th consecutive start on the offensive line Dec. 29 in Memphis when the Central Florida Golden Knights take on Mississippi State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Two years ago as a freshman, Brown earned his first career collegiate start during Central Florida's second game of the season against South Florida.

"Getting thrown in there so early, you realize that the game is being played at a whole different speed than you're used to," said Brown. "But it has all paid off."

Later that year, the Knights made their first-ever bowl appearance, losing 49-48 to Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.

"We lost on an extra point in overtime," said Brown. "It was disappointing. The best part was being out there (in Hawaii) for a week."

While Memphis will never be confused with Honolulu for avid sightseers (unless you're an Elvis freak), it's an ideal destination spot as far as Brown is concerned.

"The Liberty Bowl is big-time," said the Knights' left tackle. "It's probably one of the best bowl games you can get to out of our conference.

"One of the best feelings in the world is playing in a bowl game."

Another great feeling is getting an opportunity to block for the nation's leading rusher and scorer, Kevin Smith.

Smith, who has already received 10 first-team All-America accolades this postseason, brings monster numbers into next weekend's game against Mississippi State. The junior tailback, who earlier this week announced he will return to UCF for his senior season, has rushed for 2,448 yards and 30 touchdowns this season -- averaging 188 yards per contest.

"Kevin is definitely the best player I've ever played with," said Brown. "He's got great vision. As a lineman, your assignment may be to block on a play that is designed to go to the right, but then he cuts back, goes to the left and takes off for an 80-yard touchdown run.

"Watching our film sessions Monday after games is a lot of fun. You get to rewind all of the big plays."

Together, fellow linemen Kyle Smith, Josh Sitton and Brown have combined for more than 100 career starts.

"We have a good chemistry," said Brown. "We're able to make adjustments -- and not always verbal ones -- since we've been playing together so long."

Playing with a running back like Smith has another advantage.

"It's good for the offensive line because we're getting recognition," said Brown. "Usually, the only time you get recognized on the offensive line is when you commit a holding penalty or move too early."

When you stand 6-foot-5 and weigh in at a couple biscuits less than 300 pounds (290), you should not go unnoticed.

Brown hasn't.

After being named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team two years ago, the organizational communications major was recently selected to the Media's 2007 C-USA First Team.

Not bad considering the 3-year letterwinner at St. Charles North and 2-time all-Upstate Eight Conference pick wasn't heavily recruited by Illinois schools -- choosing Central Florida over TCU and Western Michigan.

"At the time, Central Florida was an up-and-coming program -- very much like coming in at St. Charles North with a young program," said Brown, whose freshman sister Kerry is a member of the women's volleyball team at the Orlando-based school.

"I had to make some little adjustments at first because I had lived in Illinois my whole life, but I'm very happy with my choice. Plus, I enjoy the weather down here. I'm just 45 minutes from the beach."

After the Knights suffered through a 4-8 campaign in 2006, they're 10-3 in '07. Only Illinois (2-10 in '06, 9-3 in '07) has enjoyed a bigger 1-year turnaround this season.

"We didn't put a whole game together last year," said Brown. "But I knew we'd be a good team this year with all of the guys we had coming back."

While thoughts of playing in the NFL will have to wait -- "I'm definitely coming back next year because I want my degree first," said Brown -- playing professionally could be a possibility in 2009.

But for now, his focus is on beating Mississippi State -- and helping Smith break a longstanding record.

"Kevin needs 181 yards to break the (single-season rushing) record set by Barry Sanders (2,628 yards with Oklahoma State in 1989)," said Brown. "And if he gets his yards, chances are we'll do well and probably win the game."