Aug. 4, 2011
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Empty practice fields throughout the summer finally turned into a football paradise Thursday when UCF officially opened preseason camp. The defending Conference USA champions began preparing for a 2011 campaign that starts up in one month when the Knights host Charleston Southern Sept. 3.
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"I watched the linebacker drills specifically today and I thought there were some guys that moved well enough to help us. But they've got a lot of work to get done," said head coach George O'Leary. "I'm always very honest with the kids. I want to make sure they understand exactly what I saw on the field. And with the first practice we had a lot of players who haven't been out here before, and a lot of the older guys need to take charge."
The Knights will not be utilizing shoulder pads until Saturday, and then full pads on Monday.
Senior wide receiver A.J. Guyton entered his final training camp Thursday, and was happy to help out the rookies during their first day.
"You're always anxious to get back on the field, but once you're out there, you're trying to do everything perfectly," said Guyton. "I could see that in the young guys too, especially the freshmen receivers. I just told them to slow it down, and when they're not in, watch what I'm doing."
UCF gets back to work Friday with practice slated for 9:10-11:30 a.m.
UCF football season ticket packages can be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. Should UCF host the C-USA Championship Game for the fourth time in seven years, it would be played on Saturday, Dec. 3, and season ticket holders will receive the first shot at the best seats.