Aug. 6, 2005
ORLANDO - The first official practice of the 2005 football season for UCF was held Saturday under hot conditions in Orlando. Head coach George O'Leary welcomed 105 players to the practice field as the Golden Knights practiced for two hours.
"I thought there was great retention from the players back and I saw some active freshmen, which was good," commented O'Leary. "We have 105 players out there and it really helps our depth."
Per NCAA rules, the Golden Knights will practice Saturday and Sunday in shorts, then Monday and Tuesday in shoulder pads before the first full contact practice Wednesday, which concludes the five-day acclimatization period. The first day of two-a-days is Thursday, Aug. 11.
UCF spent the majority of practice Saturday in individual periods.
"We really are in great physically shape," added O'Leary. "The players that have been here over the summer are in good condition."
"We have a goal as a team and everyone is striving for it together," stated junior quarterback Steven Moffett. "It was a pretty good tempo for the first day of practice."
The tempo of the practice was sharp as the Golden Knights took advantage of the voluntary summer workouts. With the entire team in summer school, the players looked in top shape as practice began and the passing game was sharp in several pass skeleton periods.
"Practice was much more up tempo and up beat than the first day last year," continued senior defensive end Paul Carrington. "We have a lot of guys who know what they are doing and who feel more comfortable out there."
The Golden Knights return to the practice field Sunday from 1:40-3:50 p.m.