ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – Heading into the 2017 season, UCF head coach Scott Frost faced the difficult task of replacing a secondary that saw five players sign NFL contracts in the offseason.
Fast forward through the first two games of the season and this year's defensive backs have allowed just a pair of passing touchdowns and forced five turnovers, including a pick-six for Mike Hughes last week at Maryland.
"I think we're getting some really good leadership in the secondary from our safeties," Frost said earlier this week. "Tre Neal and Kyle Gibson are the shot callers back there. They're making plays, tackling well and getting us in the right defense.
"Mike Hughes has been a big addition," Frost continued. "He's a guy we can trust at corner to make plays and lock someone down. He's just a really good football player, and I think Brandon Moore will continue to get better every week. I expect him to improve more and more every time he steps out on the field."
Before the season some outside the program questioned how returning upperclassmen Neal and Gibson would lead a young group of defensive backs never having started a game themselves, something the duo has used for motivation. Neal recorded his first career interception in the Knights' opener against FIU, and Gibson followed suit with the first pick of his career at Maryland last week.
"We read the articles and talked about how people thought we were going to be the weakest link, so we took it personally," Gibson said. "We knew that we needed to work harder each week and spend the extra time in the film room. We work together to call out things that we've seen. It's worked out in the first two games, but we still have a lot to prove."
With the safeties covered, the attention turned to who would step up at corner – enter Mike Hughes.
Three weeks into training camp, Hughes arrived in Orlando after winning a national championship and earning Junior College Athletic Association First Team All-America honors at Garden City Community College. The native of New Bern, N.C., has had an instant impact, recording five tackles, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and an interception return for a touchdown in his first two games as a Knight.
"When I got here, my focus was to learn the defense and get comfortable with the guys around me," Hughes said. "I wanted to fit in and contribute the best way I could. It's all about trusting the process. The coaches and my teammates have helped me and put me in positions to make plays."
The Knights will once again have to make plays this weekend as heralded quarterback Riley Ferguson and the Memphis Tigers offense come to town. Named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, Ferguson has been on fire through the opening three games of the year with 261 passing yards per game, eight touchdowns, just two interceptions and a completion percentage of 61.8. He also had six scoring throws to knock off then No. 25 UCLA.
"I think they have an outstanding quarterback," defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said. "He's just as good as anyone in the country. I think he's a Sunday player. He's a guy that we have to control. He's a dual threat in a way that he pulls the ball to get defenders to suck in, before he makes a play out on the perimeter. They've got a stable of running backs and good receivers, so we have a lot to take care of this weekend."
Despite the added pressure of facing one of the elite throwers in the country, the UCF secondary is ready for the battle. The Knights hold a 9-1 record against the Tigers, a lead the defensive backs want to grow.
"I think we need to play our game," Gibson added. "We need to work a little harder in the weight room and in film. He's a great player, and you have to respect that. We're going to approach it like any other opponent. We're going to come in and play ball like we know how to."
The Knights and the Tigers are set for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Spectrum Stadium.
RISE AND CONQUER
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is now underway. 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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