Aug. 11, 2008
This year, Cory Hogue will be responsible for anchoring the front seven of the UCF defense. The linebacker from Naples has contributed to UCF reaching the Conference USA Championship twice during his three years starting for the Knights. Guidance in the middle of the Knights defense and becoming a role model for the young players on the team are two challenges that Hogue will encounter during the upcoming season.
Recently, Hogue spent some time with the UCF athletics communications staff to discuss these obstacles and to look back on his past experiences with the Knights.
What steps do you need to take in providing leadership on the defensive side of the ball?
"The whole defense is coming back. We have a great secondary and a strong defensive line. We have a lot of experience in the middle at linebacker. It is going to be the best defense that we have had yet. I need to step up and be a leader this year. I want to help us win another conference championship and go onto a bowl game."
The linebacker position has some great role models. Who are the players that catch your eye in the National Football League?
"You always watch the greats like Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis. You look at them and they are great leaders, great linebackers and great playmakers. I try to watch them and emulate them."
Starting over the past three years, there had to have been some difficult decisions that you needed to make. Which players guided you in the decision making process?
"When you are younger, the older guys help you out. The guys like [Chris] Welsh, [Paul] Carrington, [James] Cook and Ronnell Sandy (helped me). They try and help you out the best that they can. I think I try to do as they did when I was younger."
During your three years at UCF, there have been multiple important moments for the football program. What have been your favorite football momens?
"The greatest was probably when I was a freshman, winning that first game [versus Marshall]. Starting as a freshman, I started the first game against South Carolina. That was an eye opener. Then winning that first game against Marshall was probably the biggest. That was a huge moment."
Last year after winning the C-USA Championship game, the team was granted a trip to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. How would you describe the atmosphere of that bowl game?
"It was real cold there. They had all of those cow bells and it was pretty annoying. Other than that, it was a really good atmosphere and there were a lot of fans there."
Last year against UTEP, you recorded 13 tackles, including nine solo, and you were named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week. How did you feel to be recognized for your efforts?
"That was good. I had a good game. I hope that this year I can have a lot more of those. I can only hope to have 13-plus tackles game every week so that I can have a solid year."
This year, the Knights will face off against USF and a duo of Atlantic Coast Conference foes in Boston College and Miami. Which game are you looking forward to the most?
"USF is the team that I am looking forward to play. They beat us the past three years. That is a game that I am really looking forward to. You always look forward to the big out of conference games because I think those are the games where you can open some eyes. You have Boston College, Miami and USF this year. I think those are the games where you have to show what you can do."
In order to be a successful student-athlete, time management is important in balancing course work and a busy athletic schedule. How are you able to be so successful?
"I think it is just looking over your entire schedule so that you can plan and know where you need to be. Getting a planner is important. When I was a freshman, it was really hard because I did not know where everything was and you are trying to get from place to place. It is hot out and you have to get to practice. As you get older, you get more accustomed to it and it has become an everyday thing."
- Nate Blythe