April 2, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - A day after practicing inside the Nicholson Fieldhouse, the UCF football team returned outside for a session on Wednesday morning. The Knights spent just over two hours on the practice fields adjacent to the Wayne Densch Sports Center in shorts, pads and helmets.
On Wednesday, the Knights focused on their passing game for much of the session.
After seven spring practices, UCF head coach George O'Leary is pleased with the progress that he is seeing with his young offensive unit.
"We are still doing a lot of installation," he said. "Obviously, the defense is ahead of the offense. They have most of the experience back. But with the offense, we are seeing a little glimpse of good plays being made. I am seeing improvement... that is all I am worried about."
O'Leary mentioned that he has seen improvement on the offensive line, a unit that features some new faces this spring. The group has three players with starting experience in senior Patrick Brown, junior Jeramy DeVane and sophomore Jah Reid.
With three starters from a year ago lost to graduation, players like seniors Mike Lavoie and Cody Minnich, junior Ian Bustillo, sophomore Mike Buxton and redshirt freshmen Billy Offutt and Nick Pieschel are seeing more time on the field this spring. Sophomore Wes Tunuufi Sauvao is also in the mix on the offensive line after recently moving from defensive tackle.
"They are putting everything together," O'Leary said about the offensive line. "Anytime you have blitzing, that is how you find out if they know what they are doing. I think they are improving. That is all I am concerned about."
On Tuesday, the team practiced inside to allow the playing surface on the outdoor practice fields to refresh.
The Knights' next practice session is slated for Friday morning.
UCF will hold its annual spring football game on Saturday, April 12 as part of the 2008 UCF Hall of Fame Weekend. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. and the game will be played for the first time in Bright House Networks Stadium.
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