Aug. 8, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Senior wide receiver Rocky Ross (Jacksonville, Fla.) is one of over 100 UCF football players currently in preseason camp preparing for the 2009 season. Things are a little different for Ross, who did not originally expect to have eligibility left heading into camp this fall. However, after suffering a season-ending injury at UTEP just four games into the 2008 campaign, Ross earned a medical redshirt and is now suiting up as a fifth-year senior.
Ross had 13 receptions in his four games played in 2008, and his season was not void of memorable moments as he caught the game-tying touchdown to force overtime against in-state rival USF. The Bolles School product enters this season with 116 career catches for over 1,500 yards.
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 recently caught up with Ross to get his thoughts on the summer as well as the upcoming season.
If you want to see Ross and the Knights in action seven times this fall at Bright House Networks Stadium, order season tickets today. 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?
"About 99 percent was here at UCF, and when I was wasn't working on football or school we just did some things like go to the pool on campus or some of my buddies and I like to play golf. I would say the highlight was July 4th we all went down to Jordan Becker's place down at St. Pete beach and just spent a couple nights at the beach which was fun to live that life for a weekend."
What are most looking forward to about the upcoming season and why?
"Just getting back out there. With coach Taffe he has some pretty exciting plays and I am ready to be a part of that. We just want to get back on the field and just start playing again."
Where do you think you improved on the most over the offseason and as an individual?
"I felt like I had to get my strength back after my injury. I feel like I did that and got a little bit stronger and just become a better football player overall. As an individual, I am getting pretty old now so just maturing and becoming a better person."
What do you think will be the biggest differences in the team this season compared to last season?
"Hopefully the offense. Hopefully the defense and the special teams does what it did last season and the offense steps up this year."
What do you think the most important part of preseason practice is in preparing for the season and why?
"Just getting the reps and getting comfortable with everyone. Down here in Orlando we say have an advantage over all the teams we play because it is so hot and humid down here that when teams come to see us we see it all the time with them cramping and we are used to it. It is tough to go through it but once you see it in the games it is easy."
What do you see as the keys to your team having success this season?
"There are three facets to the football team with offense, defense and special teams. All three of those need to be successful for us to win, and that is why we practice hard."
For the offense, you have a lot of players back with more experience under their belts. How do you that will help the offense improve this season?
"Just being in those situations. A lot of teams if they get down by a little bit, that will be it. I think if we find ourselves in that we will situation we will be experienced enough to stay calm and get back in the game."
For the offensive side of the ball as a whole and for your position group specifically, what will be the main focus or goal this season?
"We just need to make plays, keep the chain moving and keep the defense off the field."
What are your goals individually this season?
"I do not really focus on personal goals too much. I think if you just play within the system and the program and do what you have to do and then the team success will come and after that, the individual success will come."
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