Nov. 10, 2009
Orlando, Fla - On Tuesday afternoon, head coach George O'Leary held his weekly press conference in Bright House Networks Stadium.
O'Leary answered questions on rotations in the Knight's offense, quarterback Case Keenum and this week's homecoming game against C-USA opponent Houston.
Game time and kick off is set for 12 p.m. Tickets for this Saturday's game vs. the Cougars can be purchased by calling 407-823-1000 or by visiting UCFAthletics.com.
On UCF being able to control quarterback Case Keenum:
"He is a very good player. Both him and Colt McCoy have great accuracy and get rid of the ball real well. He is throwing for over 400 yards a game offensively, and they set another 140 yards in the run game. Our defense is going to have to work hard. It is not going to be the plays as much as it is the conditioning. Houston runs a very fast paced offense, and as soon as the play is dead they are right back up there ready to go again. He is very similar to the kid they had a few years ago in Kevin Kolb. For a young kid, he can definitely hurt you with his feet, as well. He throws well and makes great reads."
On what he expects to see from Houston:
"Aside from being a fast moving offense, their defense is not giving up much per game. They have a couple of good receivers and a few good running backs. Offensively, they create a lot of strength up the middle which is what you need to be. They create a lot of yards after the catch which is what a lot of people do not realize. It is not necessarily Keenum who is doing all the work. It is more of the play of his receivers that keeps the offense moving down the field. The receivers do a great job of making people miss and breaking through arm tackles."
On quarterback Brett Hodges and other injuries to the team:
"Brett is in gold right now which means we will make a decision as the game goes on Saturday. He is a little sore right now and others along the depth chart are a little banged up after last week. Everyone who made the trip last week was healthy and good to go. We will get in with the trainers this week and make the game time decisions as far as Brett is concerned, and others who are bruised up."
On adjustments along the offensive line:
"The coaches were not happy with the progress from Sunday night against Marshall, and then again Saturday against Texas. They opened up the positions around the two guard positions. The guys who played on Saturday were the ones who won out in competitions in practice. That was a decision that was made with the offensive staff and I agreed with it. Those guys that played practiced well and earned their position."
On being able to match points with Houston's offense and slowing down their tempo:
"Hopefully we will not have to match points, because they are averaging about 45 points a game, and to good teams, too. I think the key with these guys is field position for one, and being able to produce a lot of three and outs to secure that field position. I enjoy playing these kinds of offenses because it amounts to a game of conditioning. When the offense is against the defenses, it boils down to who has conditioned better during the week leading up to the game."
On the expectations of UCF's offense:
"I think we will just have to be ourselves. We will not have to change up who we are, but go out and play our game. We are about fifty-fifty with the run and the pass. In a game like this, it will not come down to field goals, but more touchdowns to produce more points. Being able to sustain the run and coming up with big plays in the pass game, will be the key for us to maintain control of the flow of the game."
For all the latest news on the Knights, log on to 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 UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.