July 27, 2011
Read John Denton's Knights Insider | Follow us on Twitter | Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Drive by UCF's football headquarters just about any time of day or night these days and George O'Leary's car is in its place and the football coach is in his office preparing for the start of training camp on Aug. 4.
O'Leary has left no stone unturned, devising detailed practice plans, weightlifting sessions timed down to the minute and specific team meals for each day. And while O'Leary isn't usually a person that puts a lot of stock into statistical data, his preseason prep time has uncovered some trends and numbers that are particularly telling.
Since 2006, the Knights are 27-4 when leading after the first period of games. Conversely, they are just 7-20 when trailing after one quarter during that same timeframe. With fast starts clearly playing a major role in UCF's success, O'Leary's mission now is to start preparing the Knights' fanbase as well as preparing his football team for the season ahead.
UCF's veteran head coach has spoken at various fan functions and student rallies this offseason, and his message has included one plea: Fans should wrap up their tailgating early and be in their seats inside Bright House Networks Stadium by kickoff. The value of having a full house in the stadium by the kickoff is immeasurable to the Knights, O'Leary said.
``It's important for the people to be in the stands because football is such a game of momentum,'' O'Leary said. ``The kids are usually always ready to play, but the edge that they get from the crowd and the noise factor - you can't replace those things. That's why we need the fans out there early. We've moved the games to later times because of the heat. But the stat backs it up that it helps us to have the fans out there early.''
A key aspect of UCF's UKNIGHT and Get the "PATCH'' marketing plan for this season is to get more fans at the games and have them in their seats prior to kickoff. A plan is already in place for fans to raise their arms, lock hands and scream, ``UKNIGHT,'' just prior to the opening kickoff. O'Leary has vowed he'll raise his arms prior to the kickoff, but he likely won't be joining hands with anyone else because, as he put it, ``Usually when I head one way, they all head the other way and no one is standing around me.''
UCF is coming off the finest season in school history, going 11-3 last season with victories in the Conference USA title game and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The Knights finished last season ranked No. 20 in the USA TODAY/ESPN Coaches Poll and No. 21 in the AP Poll. With eight players back on both sides of the ball who contributed heavily last season and UCF being favorites to repeat as C-USA champs, the Knights are expected to be ranked in the preseason poll for the first time in school history.
O'Leary said he's been quite pleased with the work his team has put in over the summer. He challenged the team last spring that if it wanted to win another conference championship that it would have to become better workers with better leadership in the summer. O'Leary said the Knights have more than 90 players already on campus and enrolled in summer school classes, and much of that group has participated in voluntary offseason football sessions.
O'Leary's offseason research also uncovered other telling numbers as they relate to the Knights' success on the field. When UCF has had fewer turnovers from 2006-2010, it is 29-3. And when they turn the ball over more they are just 4-20. When UCF rushes for at least 150 yards it is 27-7; when the Knights rush for less than 150 yards, they are just 10-20.
With the start of practice still a week away, O'Leary has instead turned his focus away from the football field and into the stands. He is hoping that the Knights have a crowd of 45,000 strong when they host Charleston Southern on Sept. 3. And the following game - Sept. 10 at home against Boston College - is another signature moment on the schedule and the Knights are hoping for a sellout. And the hope is that those fans will be in their seats by the opening kickoff.
``A tradition that we need to start here is the tradition of being in your seat by the kickoff,'' O'Leary said. ``When the team hits the field we need the stadium filled and not just as the game is going on because of other priorities that shouldn't matter on game day. Football is a game of momentum and we need those fans from the start.''
UCF 2011 football season ticket packages can be purchased or renewed online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. Home games include Charleston Southern [Champions UKNIGHT (Sept. 3)], Boston College [Hall of Fame Weekend (Sept. 10)], Marshall (Oct. 8), Memphis [Alumni UKNIGHT - Homecoming 2011 (Oct. 29)], Tulsa (Nov. 5) and UTEP [Senior Day (Nov. 26)]. Should UCF host the C-USA Championship Game for the fourth time in seven years, it would be played on Saturday, Dec. 3 and season ticket holders will receive the first shot at the best seats.
John Denton's Knights Insider appears on UCFAthletics.com several times a week. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.