Oct. 29, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The Knights are now more than two full weeks into their official practices and UCF's players are ready to compete against someone other than their teammates. That is why the Knights are looking forward to their exhibition game with St. Leo on Saturday.
Senior guard Dave Noel (Boynton Beach, Fla./Boynton Beach) and his teammates like UCF's preseason schedule this year. Last season, the Knights played their lone exhibition contest on Nov. 9. That game was also against St. Leo.
Because the regular season is starting earlier this season, the exhibition game dates have also been moved up.
"The good thing this year is we have those two exhibition games very soon," Noel said. "So we have to get ready and remain focused."
The St. Leo contest will begin at 11 a.m. The game will be played prior to the football team's homecoming contest with Marshall. Admission is free to the exhibition game. UCF also has an exhibition contest scheduled for Nov. 6 against Florida Southern.
Noel and the Knights are eagerly anticipating the preseason games. He says that the players enjoying practicing, but would rather showcase their talents against other teams.
"We are just trying to get better (in practice) and get the new guys on board. Playing against each other after a while does gets repetitive, so we are ready to go."
The Knights will open the regular season at the new UCF Arena on Nov. 11, hosting Nevada. The squad will play 16 regular-season contests at home this year, including eight Conference USA games.
Season tickets are currently available by calling 407-UCF-1000. One lucky season ticket holder for will get to drive home from the new UCF Arena in a brand new 2008 UCF edition Mazda CX-9, courtesy of Classic Mazda, the presenting sponsor of this year's season ticket drive. UCF fans who purchase two season tickets be entered into a drawing to win the Mazda CX-9.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Notes: Following the team's practice on Sunday evening, junior guard forward Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares), sophomore forward Tony Davis (Sarasota, Fla./Riverview) and freshman guard Taylor Young (Orlando, Fla./The First Academy) took part in the Knights' pregame introduction video shoot at the new arena. Several UCF players participated in the shoot on Sunday morning and more will be filmed at a later date.