Sept. 9, 2009
By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com
When Brett Hodges was still relatively new to the UCF football team, having just transferred from Wake Forest as a fifth-year senior, Rob Calabrese was among the first players to call him, inviting him out to preseason throwing sessions.
And when Calabrese, a sophomore, assumed the role as UCF's starting quarterback early in preseason drills, there was Hodges offering up the advice and knowledge he had gained in the previous four years as a college football player.
Now, flash forward to last Saturday night when Hodges replaced Calabrese and led UCF to a come-from-behind 28-24 defeat of Samford. Among the first players to greet Hodges with a high five and a congratulatory hug after each Knights' touchdown was Calabrese.
The quarterback job at UCF might be filled with an air of uncertainty heading into Saturday's key Conference USA game at Southern Miss, but there certainly is no animosity or controversy. Both are expected to play Saturday night against the Golden Eagles with Calabrese again starting and Hodges again ready in reserve if needed.
``It's a real good relationship and a good competition,'' Calabrese said of his friendship with Hodges. ``As soon as Brett came here we started throwing together and I explained the offense to him. Now, he knows everything and we help each other out. He's a fifth-year guy and has a lot of knowledge of football and he really helps me out.
``This is my team too and I'm rooting for all of our guys,'' Calabrese continued. ``Whoever is getting the job done, I want them playing. Whatever it takes.''
What it took for UCF to defeat Samford was a two-headed quarterback attack. Hodges looked calm and cool in the pocket while completing 10-of-17 passes for 129 yards and what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. He also had a 26-yard toss to Rocky Ross, a 21-yard strike to Kamar Aiken that got UCF down to the one-yard line for another score and a nifty two-point pass when he waited patiently for the play to develop.
For Hodges, the triumphant performance was the culmination of a long road back home. The Winter Springs native played four seasons at Wake Forest (one a redshirt season) before transferring to UCF for a fifth season as a post-graduate student. His father, Karl, played baseball at UCF from 1979-82, and Hodges still remembers his childhood days of attending UCF games at the Citrus Bowl.
``It was pretty cool to come out of the locker room to see my family and friends there,'' the senior quarterback said. ``I remember as a kid waiting outside of the locker room for the players to come out and now I'm the one walking out of the locker room.''
Calabrese, who was one of just four true freshmen nationally to see major time as a starting quarterback last season, was anointed the starter early in preseason camp, but struggled in his first game. He hit on three of seven passes, but he was hurt by two dropped passes and a fumble near the goal line prevented another score. Calabrese was disappointed with himself for his play, feeling he could have played much better.
``I played very poorly,'' he said candidly. ``I went back and watched the film and I made some mistakes on a couple of drives. That's something that I have to fix. It was my reads and I overthrew the one ball to Brian (Watters) on the short route, and I have to make that throw. I just have to go through my reads and study in the film room.''
UCF coach George O'Leary was shocked by Calabrese's struggles because the sophomore had practiced well all camp and had grown into being the leader he expects his quarterbacks to be. He feels that Calabrese's tendency to put too much pressure on himself on stew over bad plays hurt him last Saturday night.
``I was disappointed in Rob, but only because he had practiced so well. Then, he went out and sort of zoned out. I don't know what it was,'' O'Leary said. ``He made some mistakes he normally doesn't make. But give credit to Brett because he took the opportunity and ran with it. But both of them are going to have to help us until we settle in on (one quarterback).''
O'Leary said he still thinks of Calabrese as the starter, saying ``it's Rob's team'' and he professed confidence in the younger quarterback. But O'Leary said he has no objections to playing two quarterbacks and will leave the decision of playing time up to offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe.
It was Taaffe decision to replace Calabrese with Hodges last Saturday night when the offense was ``kind of sluggish,'' as O'Leary described it. The coaches planned on using Calabrese again in the second half, but stuck with Hodges when he continually moved the offense. O'Leary said he won't hesitate to do the same thing if the need arises Saturday night against Southern Miss.
``Rob has practiced well, but when the lights come on he's got to produce,'' the coach said. ``But Rob will settle down, I'm confident of that. If not, we'll make a change. I'm not afraid of doing that.''
Hodges said backing up Wake Forest star quarterback Riley Skinner the previous three seasons gives him a better understanding of how to prepare for the role that he's in now. He watched the game film with Calabrese, advising him on some things to watch for in the defense. And Hodges has continued to prepare as if he'll take all of the snaps come Saturday.
``At Wake, it wasn't a quarterback rotation, but I'd play if we were up or if he got dinged up. Every little bit helps, and now that I'm a fifth-year senior I'm more mature and experienced,'' Hodges said. ``I approach it the same way I did coming into camp and the first preseason game. I'm going to prepare as if I'm going to play. If you don't prepare and you get put in then you won't be ready and won't be successful.''
Calabrese, he of the big arm and dynamic leadership skills, is confident that he'll bounce back in a big way against Southern Miss. His first-game jitters led to him throwing high on a couple of balls last week, and he said he'll be ready to go come this Saturday in Hattiesburg, Miss.
``You have to be confident as a quarterback. You can't get rattled,'' Calabrese said. ``No matter if coach is yelling at you or everything is going wrong, you have to stay confident. If your teammates see you drop your head, that's not good. I can't let that happen.''
John Denton's Knights Insider runs each Monday, Wednesday and Friday on UCFAthletics.com. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.