Aug. 14, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Playing on one of the best defensive lines in Conference USA and perhaps the nation, junior defensive end Bruce Miller (Canton, Ga.) had two productive seasons as an underclassmen in a UCF uniform. A two-time member of the All-Conference USA second-team, Miller has now turned the page and is one of a number of experienced upperclassmen on the Knights' front seven. He was recently named to the preseason All-Conference USA first-team.
In 2008, Miller earned C-USA All-Conference second team accolades after leading UCF in sacks (7.0) and tackles for a loss (17.0). The 17 TFLs was also the top total in C-USA last fall. In a young but already standout career, Miller has accumulated 90 tackles, 14 sacks and 26 tackles for a loss.
With the Knights early in preseason practice and gearing up for the season opener on Sept. 5 against Samford at Bright House Networks Stadium, UCFAthletics.com spoke with Miller recently about his progress as a player this summer and his thoughts on the 2009 season. The squad will hit the practice field again on Friday afternoon from 3:20-5:30 p.m. Each practice until the start of classes on August 24 is open to all UCF fans.
Order your season tickets today to see Miller and his UCF teammates play seven home games this season at Bright House Networks Stadium, including a contest against Miami and four C-USA tilts. For more information, call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000.
What was the highlight of your summer and where did you spend most of it?
"I played golf a lot for the first time. Definitely spent lots of time in the weight room and in the indoor facility just working. Everyday we were doing something, whether it was lifting weights, running or doing drills. We made a lot of improvements and worked on a lot of things we needed to work on from the past season.
What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming season and why?
"I am really looking forward to seeing how our defense is going to do. There has been a lot of hype and a lot of talk and I really want to get out there and play well. I know one thing we are going to do is play hard and play with a lot of effort. I am excited to watch a lot of these guys run around on the field."
Where do you think you improved on the most over the offseason as an individual?
"I've gotten a lot stronger, faster. I've even cut down a little bit of weight so I've definitely improved in the weight room. From a football standpoint, just an experience level, a different mentality going in to pass rushing to playing a defensive end spot. I feel like I've gotten a little more knowledgeable about the position."
What do you think will be the biggest differences in the team this season compared to last season?
"I think that the speed and the tempo that we are going to play at is going to be so high. We've all worked so hard this summer, both offensively and defensively. I think the tempo we're going to play at is just going to be outstanding. We're going to play hard and like I said, with great effort, and I feel like that is going to be our advantage."
What do you think the most important part of preseason practice is in preparing for the season and why?
"I think just getting as many reps as possible and getting into game shape so that when we go out there on September 5th, we're not gassed; we're not really tired. That's the big money, just getting in as many reps as possible so that you can be in that game shape and so that by the second half, you're not tired."
What do you see as the keys to your team having success this season?
"Defensively, I know that we're going to have to get a lot of pressure up front. We're going to stop the run but we need to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback so that we can make it easier for the guys behind us."
What will be the key to replacing Joe Burnett and the rest of the secondary from last season?
"We just had a lot of talent back there. Joe, Jason (Venson), Sha'reff (Rashad), those guys were great. They played very well. I think that we have a lot of guys who have seen some time on the field that are stepping in now that really have a lot of talent so I'm excited to watch them play as well."
For the defensive side of the ball and a whole and for your position group specifically, what will be the main focus or goal this season?
"To be the most dominant in the conference. That's what we want to do. That's what we've been talking about, and we feel like we can attain that goal. We just need to go out at practice and make sure we do what we need to do."
What are your goals individually this season?
"I do whatever I can to help the defense so that we can be the most dominant and the best defense in the conference. I want to do whatever I can."
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