March 29, 2006
ORLANDO - The UCF football team held its fifth practice of the spring Wednesday morning inside the Nicholson Fieldhouse. The Golden Knights donned full pads for the second consecutive day as the team continued to work on fundamentals and installation.
With spring practice in its second week, the off-season conditioning program has been a benefit to all of the players. Several players look noticeably stronger and quicker on the field and the contact level has been improving. Two players of note - sophomore tailback Kevin Smith and sophomore left tackle Patrick Brown - look to be in top condition this spring.
"I just want to continue to improve and help the team win games," stated Smith. "As a team, we just want to go out and win." Smith, who rushed for 1,178 yards in 2005, finished second nationally among true freshman running backs in rushing yards. "I want to build on the season I had last year and keep improving."
Brown, the youngest starting left tackle in the nation last season, has added 10 pounds of weight this off-season. The St. Charles, Ill., native started 12 of UCF's final 13 games in 2005 at left tackle.
The Golden Knights return to the field Friday morning from 9:20-11:20 a.m.
News and Notes: Construction workers continue to make quick progress on the new football practice fields adjacent to the Wayne Densch Sports Center. The video tower was installed yesterday and two sets of light poles have been set today ... Redshirt junior place-kicker Michael Torres has kicked well in the early going this spring. The UMass transfer drilled all three of his field goal attempts in the final period of practice Wednesday, including a 37-yarder.