Sept. 6, 2010
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - In a contest the Yankees and Red Sox would be jealous of due to the quick pace of game, UCF cruised to an opening day victory over South Dakota, 38-7, Saturday at home. There was much to like and many players got in the game. That was then and this week is a different class of opponent. No disrespect to the Coyotes, but while they were waiting in long lines at our wonderful theme parks on Sunday, George O'Leary and his team was locked in on preparing for the season's first big test, NC State.
Before we get to the Wolfpack, here are some notes from the South Dakota game:
Quarterback play: It was Rob Calabrese's best game as a Knight. His 9-for-9 first half was more than a half of good stats. Calabrese showed the poise O'Leary has been looking for. Meanwhile, Jeff Godfrey's 6-for-7 performance was a solid debut. He had a potential touchdown pass called back for a penalty and avoided a pick when the South Dakota linebacker dropped the ball. Both signal callers were solid.
Jonathan Davis: Davis posted his first 100-yard game and showed an ability of being able to carry the load. But holes that were there early in plays against South Dakota will close much quicker this week.
Receivers a plenty: It didn't matter who was on the field for UCF. Everyone can get open. But fans quickly saw how UCF will use its speed at the position in more than the passing game.
Run Defense: UCF was fourth in the nation last year in stopping the run allowing 82.8 yards per game. South Dakota ran for 116 and the Knights young defensive tackles played like freshmen at times. But UCF made second-half adjustments and shut down the Coyotes.
Red Zone/Third Down Success: It was a sore spot last season. Against South Dakota, UCF needed to play well in these areas and did. The Knights were 6-for-6 in the red zone with five touchdowns. Third downs were 7-for-10 and a number of conversions came when needing more than seven yards.
Additional South Dakota notes: The game featured no turnovers and no play longer than the 31-yard pass play from Calabrese to A.J. Guyton...UCF punted once...The Knights had only eight total possessions in the game but ran 68 total plays and had no three-and-outs on offense.
Which now brings us to this week's matchup verses NC State. The Wolfpack rolled Western Carolina in their opener 48-7. They led 31-7 at the half and cruised to the win. UCF won the only other meeting back in 2007 by a score of 25-23. Kevin Smith took the opening handoff 80 yards and UCF hung on for the win in Tom O'Brien's first game at NC State. Since he has taken over the Wolfpack, NC State has not posted a winning season going 5-7, 6-7 and 5-7.
Wolfpack notes: 60 of the 105 roster players are either true or redshirt sophomores and freshmen. Yet the team also has 20 seniors...Three of their seven losses last year were by six points or less...NC State has not been hit by the injury bug, they have been infested by it. Over the last three seasons, players that were one time starters have missed 180 games during that span...Defensive end David Akinniyi played at Northeastern last season. The school dropped football and he now is part of their defensive line rotation...NC State has lost its last four road openers.
Key Matchups for this week:
NC State QB Russell Wilson vs. UCF's front seven: Wilson is a tremendous athlete. He was a fourth round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies and played minor league baseball this summer. Last season he threw for 3,027 yards and had 31 touchdowns. The junior has already earned his degree. UCF will need to get pressure on Wilson or he will hurt the Knights with his arm and legs. He threw for four touchdowns in their opener and he has his top four receivers back from last year.
NC State's freshmen backs vs. UCF's defense: South Dakota opened too many holes in the opener in the first half. The Knights face two freshmen in redshirt Dean Haynes, who had 69 yards and a score vs. Western Carolina and true rookie Mustafa Greene. UCF's young defensive tackles will be tested. Stopping the run allows Bruce Miller and company to get after Wilson with pressure.
UCF quarterbacks vs. NC State's front seven: The Wolfpack return no starters from last year's defensive front but do return all linebackers including Audie Cole, who led the team in tackles last season. Calabrese likely won't have as much time to stand in the pocket and find a receiver. His patience might be a big key. Also, seeing how Godfrey's speed will be used is a matchup to watch.
UCF's Crowd vs. NC State: This is not a promotional message, it's a fact. When Bright House Networks Stadium is packed, it's a factor. Noise is important in this game. Get there early and be heard. Have the place rocking during warmups and don't stop.
Knights notes and more: Kudos to Todd Dagenais' volleyball team. The Knights are off to a 6-0 start and have won 18 of 20 games. They host the UCF Classic this weekend with FAU, Baylor and Jacksonville in town...More kudos for former UCF pitcher Matt Fox who made his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins. Fox went 5.2 innings and got a no decision in the team's 4-3 win. He exited to a standing ovation at Target Field and has a chance to stay on the roster of a team in a pennant race...Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leech is the color analyst of the game on CBS College Sports...Final thought: Memo to those who say "Six to one, half-dozen to another." It makes no sense. And no one likes anyone who uses ratios when they speak.
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF-ISP Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts "The Beat of Sports" on ESPN 1080 in Orlando from 9-11 a.m.