ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The first game week of 2017 is here for the UCF football team, and the Knights open up the campaign with the first of three straight home games, hosting FIU Thursday at 6 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Thursday, Aug. 31
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: FM 96.9/AM 740 The Game
Live Stats: ucfknights.co/FBLiveStats17
Tickets: Click Here or (407) 823-1000
NOTES TO KNOW
- UCF has won eight of its last nine home openers, with the only defeat during that stretch coming to FIU during the winless 2015 season.
- The Knights have won nine of their last 11 season openers overall, dating back to the 2006 campaign.
- Scott Frost took UCF from winless to a bowl game in his first season as head coach of the Black and Gold.
- Shaquem Griffin is the returning American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was named USA TODAY Sports Preseason All-America earlier this summer.
- FIU is in its first season with Butch Davis at the helm. Davis was formerly the head coach at North Carolina (2007-10), the Cleveland Browns (2001-04) and Miami (1995-00).
In his second year as head coach, Frost held his first weekly press conference of the season on Monday and noted that his Knights are well ahead of where they were last year at this point.
"We're farther along this year," he said. "The players are more comfortable with scheme. They do a better job of communicating. They understand what we want better. They were quicker to pick-up the game plan this year, because of their understanding of what we're trying to get done on both sides of the football. We're a little bit deeper this year, which helped us practice better, and the mentality and togetherness of the team has improved from a year ago."
As is the case in many season openers, the Knights are preparing a bit differently. FIU has a new coaching staff, so Frost says the Knights will have to be ready to adjust.
"To be honest, we're taking a lot of guesses," he said. "These guys are new coaches. They're coming from different places on the offensive side and the defensive side, so we're doing the best we can to piece together what we think they're going to be running. That being said, our players are going to have to be ready to adjust in the middle of the game."
LISTEN TO FULL SOUND FROM FROST'S PRESSER
WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE RECAP
RISE AND CONQUER
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is just around the corner. Fans can explore all of the new ticket options at Spectrum Stadium by visiting WeRiseandConquer.com or calling (407) 823-1000.
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