Aug. 5, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF held its first official practice of the 2006 football season on Saturday afternoon on campus under hot conditions. Head coach George O'Leary's squad practiced for two hours.
"I think overall it was a good day. There was a lot of teaching going on with a lot of young kids, as far as the tempo and how to practice," said O'Leary. "We will pickup tempo the next couple of days when we start putting the pads on."
Saturday marked the first time that the team worked out on the new practice fields, which are located next to the Wayne Densch Sports Center. UCF spent most of the practice in individual periods.
"We had a good practice; a really good first day," said senior defensive end Chris Welsh. "We got a lot accomplished and we have a lot of young guys who are working real hard. There is certainly a lot of room for improvement and if we are going to have a successful season, we have to come out everyday and strive to get better."
The Golden Knights are coming off of an impressive campaign in 2005. The team went 8-5 overall, claimed the Conference USA East Division title and played in a bowl game for the first time in program history. O'Leary is instructing his team to look ahead and not be content with last year's success.
"Last year is over with. It is gone," he said. "We have a new season and whatever happened last year is over. It is a new football team with new personalities and new chemistry."
The Golden Knights, who open their season on Sept. 2 at home against Villanova, return to the practice field Sunday from 1:40-3:50 p.m.
Season tickets are currently available by calling 407-823-1000.