Sept. 4, 2010
Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
| UCF vs. South Dakota Sept. 4, 2010 |
| From Bright House Networks Stadium | |||||
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| South Dakota | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| UCF | 14 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
Quote of the Knight
Jonathan Davis on Rob Calabrese
"He had great poise, he's really grown up since last year. He's a great leader. He told me everything I was supposed to do - which I knew already, but he always reminded me. Rob has become a great quarterback."
Focus from the Start
UCF head coach George O'Leary constantly tells his players that each contest is a one-game season. The veteran coach does not want his squad to overlook any opponent. On Saturday, it might have been understandable if the Knights were thinking more about next week than tonight's contest. Next Saturday, UCF will host NC State in a nationally-televised contest.
Thankfully for O'Leary, and UCF's fanbase, the Knights were focused on the "South Dakota season." That focus was evident right from the start at Bright House Networks Stadium Saturday. The Knights scored on their first two drives and went on to dominate the Coyotes.
After the game, most of the members of the team who met with the media were asked about the game against the Wolfpack. Nearly all of the Knights said they were excited about the game, but would begin preparations for NC State on Sunday. That is the kind of answer that O'Leary would love to here as he had to be pleased that his team was focused on the task at hand Saturday.
Super Start
Rob Calabrese had a fine start to his junior season. The signal caller from Long Island began the contest, and 2010, by completing his first nine pass attempts. Before throwing a third-quarter incompletion, he totaled 140 yards and one touchdown. He concluded the game with 12-of-15 passing for 176 yards with the score.
On the Run
With under a minute remaining in the first quarter, Jamar Newsome did something rare. The senior wide receiver scored on a 7-yard run, giving the Knights a 14-0 lead. Newsome became the first UCF wideout in almost a decade to score on the ground. The last time that a wide receiver recorded a rushing touchdown occurred on Nov. 2, 2002, when Doug Gabriel had a rushing score against Syracuse at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
A.J.'s Big Day
A.J. Guyton had his third career 100-yard receiving game and established a career high with 127 yards. Guyton had eight receptions, including one for an 11-yard score in the second quarter from Rob Calabrese.
Sophomore Sensation
Jonathan Davis had his best game as a true freshman last year in UCF's 49-0 thrashing of Tulane towards the end of the season. Saturday, the tailback picked up where he left off in 2009. Davis carried the ball 20 times for a career-best 107 yards. The Georgia native had UCF's first score of the year, a 1-yard run less than four minutes into the game that put the hosts up 7-0.
In Totality
UCF's total offense of 472 yards was its best in a season opener since posting 560 yards at Louisiana Tech on Sept. 5, 1998. The Knights totaled 231 yards on the ground and 241 yards via the air.
Historic Game
The contest against the Coyotes served as the 350th game in UCF history. The Knights' inaugural season was 1979, and this is the program's 32nd campaign. UCF now stands at 178-171-2 all time. This year is also serving as UCF's 15th year at the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Division Dominance
With the triumph over South Dakota, UCF improved to 18-0 against Football Championship Subdivision programs since the Knights joined the FBS in 1996. All of the games have been played in Orlando.
Sweet 15
The win was the 15th for the Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium. The facility opened in 2007. The Knights are now 3-1 on opening day at the stadium.
New Look at the Bright House
On Friday, workers put the finishing touches on the new field wrap inside Bright House Networks Stadium. The black field wrap received rave reviews from fans Saturday evening. The black field wrap certainly reminds fans, and opponents, that Bright House Networks Stadium gives the Knights' a home-field advantage. At the 50-yard line, the wrap reads "Home of the Knights." Other highlights include the NIKE logo, as well as a list of UCF's conference championships and bowl appearances.