April 16, 2011
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By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
| White vs. Gold April 16, 2011 |
| From Bright House Networks Stadium |
In the House: by John Denton
UCF signee Cameron Henderson, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive from Birmingham, Ala., was on hand to watch Saturday's scrimmage. Henderson, who originally committed to Auburn out of high school, spent the past two seasons at Navarro Junior College in Texas where he teamed with current UCF defensive end Toby Jackson.
"I'm ready to get out here right now, but I just have to wait my time," said Henderson, who won't enroll at UCF until the summer. "But I'm ready to get out here and play now."
Henderson picked UCF over Arizona and USF because of the Knights' attacking defensive style and because he felt he could play right away. He hopes to step in and play on a defensive line that lost ends Bruce Miller and David Williams to graduation.
"I feel like I can do it all. I can stop the run, rush the passer and bring a lot to the table for this defense," Henderson said. "It's an attacking defense. I saw Bruce Miller and I think I can come in and do a lot of the same things that he did."
Good Crowd
Fans came out in good numbers to see the Knights' Spring Game. Announced attendance Saturday was nearly 7,000 at Bright House Networks Stadium. That figure is one of the highest totals in program history.
With His Feet
Quarterback Jeff Godfrey used his feet for the most memorable play of Saturday's game. With the defense using a `touch' system for tackling quarterbacks, Godfrey escaped pressure in the pocket without being touched and, after faking to the right, found a hole up the middle of the field for a 38-yard TD scamper.
Defensive Star
Troy Davis looked impressive on the UCF defense, especially late in the game. The two-time letterwinner recorded multiple sacks in the final quarter to finish with five in the game. Davis also was credited with two and a half tackles for loss in the contest.
Under Center
Godfrey finished 18-of-23 for 165 yard through the air Saturday afternoon, while adding 70 yards rushing. Local product Blake Bortles made his UCF debut with a 5-for-14 passing performance, while being sacked five times. Rob Calabrese was 6-of-12 for 61 yards and was taken down in the backfield twice.
Traditional Score
Ronnie Weaver opened the game with the first score of the contest, a four-yard run up the middle of the field. Weaver finished the game with 28 yards on nine carries, but his four-yard run to open the scoring may have been the only traditional score in Saturday's game.
Punt Block
Midway through the second quarter, UCF's Gold Team lined up to punt from the back of its own end zone. Kerlon Williams of the White Team broke through the line to block the punt which D.J. Brown jumped on for the touchdown.
UCF's NFL Players Return
Prior to the start of the Spring Game, fans anxiously waited in line to get memorabilia signed by several UCF alumni that have gone on to play in the NFL. Some of the notable players in attendance signing on the concourse level prior to kick-off were: Kevin Smith, Mike Sims-Walker, Torell Troup and, fresh off his Super Bowl win with the Green Bay Packers, Josh Sitton. It was a successful signing to say the least as fans crammed the tables to take pictures and catch up with the former UCF stars now playing their games on Sundays in the NFL.
Special Teams End Game
The end of the game saw head coach George O'Leary use Nick Cattoi for two 52-yard field-goal attempts. Cattoi missed the first, but came back to hit the second try from 52 yards. Cattoi also connected on a 39-yard kick as time expired in the first half.