Aug. 21, 2011
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - News and notes from the UCF football team for Sunday, Aug. 21. The Knights have decided not to hold practice today as the student-athletes will be able to focus on getting ready for classes which start Monday.
News
-UCF's practice fields were packed Saturday for its second scrimmage of the preseason. For John Denton's recap, Click Here
-The Knights opened the workout with individual, punt and kickoff return drills before entering the scrimmage where it would be first-teamers vs. second-teamers. Throughout the week, quarterback Jeff Godfrey was building quite a relationship with receiver Quincy McDuffie, and that trend continued on the first drive Saturday where McDuffie pulled in two passes to help set up a 12-yard touchdown pass to Josh Reese.
-When quarterback Blake Bortles took over on the next drive, he was busy connecting with J.J. Worton, while Bortles found Latavius Murray over the middle on a fourth-down play that witnessed linebacker Josh Linam bursting through to pressure the signal caller. The drive culminated in a 20-yard touchdown reception by Khymest Williams.
-The second-team offense also discovered the endzone one more time even though it had to contend with a very vocal Troy Davis who added a sack during the drive. The defense was able to stop the offense inside the 10-yard line before Bortles hit Murray on fourth-and-goal from the four, and the running back stretched the ball over the goal line with linebacker Jonathan Davis draped all over him.
-UCF and fans got out of the sun for a little while before making their way to Bright House Networks Stadium for FanFest. Check out a photo gallery from the event by clicking Here
Web Links
-Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Do We Love This Game So Much - Click Here
-Orlando Sentinel: Keep Reviewing the Playbook - Click Here
-Orlando Sentinel: Offensive Line Puts Even More Emphasis on Protecting QBs - Click Here
-The Star-Ledger: Joe Burnett Receives Props from Giants' Secondary Coach - Click Here
UKNIGHT and Get The "PATCH" Interview
Head Coach George O'Leary
On quarterback Jeff Godfrey and the offense during the scrimmage...
``I thought Jeff maneuvered the team well as far as making some plays. I thought he hung in the pocket and showed poise. I think the big thing with him is hanging in there and making the plays that are there. I was pleased with the offense and thought they scrimmaged very well today.
"The only time offensively that we were a little sloppy was when we got down into the red zone and we had some penalties. You can't be doing that. Other than that I thought it was a good scrimmage and we got about 95 plays in. We'll go look at the tape now and make some decisions."
Stat of the Day
-Charleston Southern (UCF's first opponent) cornerback Charles James is a preseason FCS All-American, and is coming off a sophomore season in which he recorded six interceptions and 11 pass break-ups.
What to Look For
-UCF's practices are now closed to fans for the remainder of the season. The Knights are back to work Monday morning and will start turning their attention to their game plan vs. Charleston Southern later this week.
-If you are on campus Sunday, check out Opening Knight at the Student Union from 4-6:30 p.m. which features representatives from over 200 student organizations. Afterwards, travel over to the UCF Soccer Complex to support the No. 24 women's soccer team when it hosts No. 17 Wake Forest at 7 p.m.
UCF football season ticket packages can be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. 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.