Aug. 13, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF football team worked out under cloudy skies Wednesday as the Knights practiced for just under two hours next to Bright House Networks Stadium. The Knights focused on installation during the session.
Head coach George O'Leary praised the team's defense after practice, acknowledging the unit's reserves have made great gains during preseason camp.
"Every other day, they have done a nice job of progressing. That is what I look at," said O'Leary. "The key to them [that] I look at is the seconds... making sure the seconds stay competitive with the first-team defense. They are. That is important to me. I always believe that you are only as good as your second offense or your second defense because injuries happen."
The session served as the team's 12th practice of preseason camp.
? Following the graduation of Michael Torres, the Knights will have a new kicker this season. The squad is set in other areas of special teams, including punter, where sophomore Blake Clingan is back. Clingan averaged 40.7 yards per punt as a rookie last year. The Coral Springs, Fla., native used the campaign to adapt to the college game. "The tempo is a lot faster... the rush is a lot faster," said Clingan. "The most challenging thing was the fans because they always get loud on first downs, so it is a lot of pressure and noise."
? The temperature was listed at 86 degrees when the squad wrapped up practice around 5:10 p.m. The temperature was considerably cooler than what the Knights have experienced throughout camp.
? Several former Knights who played under O'Leary have stopped by to watch the squad practice this preseason and Wednesday was no different. Blake Carter, who concluded his collegiate career as a linebacker last fall, was in attendance Wednesday.
? UCF's football select-a-seat and picture day is set for this Sunday. UCF Athletics representatives will be on hand at Bright House Networks Stadium from 1-6 p.m. to help fans make new season-ticket purchases. An autograph session with the Knights, which is free to the public, will begin at 4:30 p.m. inside the stadium.
? The annual UCF Community Kickoff Luncheon is slated for Aug. 28 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. For more information on the event, visit www.orlando.org.
? The Knights will return to the practice fields Thursday around 3:20 p.m.
UCF will open the 2008 slate on Aug. 30 against South Carolina State at Bright House Networks Stadium. The Knights will play six contests at the on-campus facility in 2008.
Season tickets are currently available. To order season tickets, or to learn more about attending games at Bright House Networks Stadium, call 407-UCF-1000.
The Knights went 10-4 last season, captured the C-USA Championship and participated in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.