Aug. 9, 2006
ORLANDO - The UCF football team practiced in full pads for the first time this preseason on Wednesday. The Golden Knights practiced for two hours in the morning on campus.
"We still have a lot of installation going on," said UCF head coach George O'Leary. "I expect a lot more contact. We have to make sure that they (the players) understand what practice is and what contact practice is. Some of the freshmen, I know they don't understand yet, but the upperclassmen should."
The Golden Knights finished Wednesday's practice with a short scrimmage. Senior tailback Jason Peters provided the offensive highlight of the session for UCF with a 15-yard run. On defense, sophomore cornerback Johnell Neal forced a fumble with a hard hit on freshman wideout Brian Watters.
Early in preseason camp, O'Leary has noticed that team chemistry has improved from this time last year. The Golden Knights return 40 letterwinners from a year ago.
"They (the players) understand what the right and left hand is doing because they have played with these guys," he said. "We are still not all the way there yet. We are still trying to climb the stairs, but I think there is no question that there is a lot more confidence in what they are doing."
The Golden Knights will practice twice on Thursday. The team begins the day with a session from 9-11:10 a.m. and then returns to the practice field from 7:30-9:15 p.m.