March 28, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - After three straight practices in full pads, the Golden Knights were in helmets and shorts on Wednesday morning as the team was able to focus more on assignment football and learning the different offensive and defensive plays that have been a focal point of spring practice.
"I have been very pleased with the progress so far and we are getting a lot of work done," fourth-year head coach George O'Leary said. "I think there is a lot of competition on offense and defense and I think both have had their days. We are still installing a lot of things on both sides of the ball and it is nice to see some of the younger kids emerge."
With a majority of the practice session spent working on team drills and 11-on-11 situations, the players were able to get extra work on being in the right spots and gaps on defense and knowing where the holes and openings in the defense are supposed to be for the receivers and running backs.
Senior quarterback Kyle Israel (Orlando, Fla./University) made some nice throws, including several long completions to wide outs Willie Thornton (Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central) and Jevaughn Reams (Oakland, Calif./Homestead (Fla.) High).
The defensive backs were not to be outdone as junior Johnell Neal (Baton Rouge, La./Redemptorist) and freshman Darin Baldwin (Homestead, Fla./South Dade) both had interceptions in team work and along with junior Joe Burnett (Eustis, Fla./Eustis), the trio also disrupted several other passes.
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