The Fiesta Bowl Champion Knights are now only four short weeks away from their first taste of action in the 2014 season – the Croke Park Classic in Dublin, Ireland.
That’s under 30 days to clarify a muddled quarterback situation, get both the offensive and defensive units working cohesively, and gameplan for the always competitive Nittany Lions. Penn State will be looking for vengeance for UCF’s 34-31 victory last year in Happy Valley, adding more fuel to their fire.
It is not a leisurely task by any measure, but the excitement and confidence running though these early practices is through the roof.
It does help, of course, to be returning 9 of 11 starters on defense. The unit carries with it the most stability of any aspect of this team, presenting the opportunity to be the rallying point for the Knights while the offense learns how to get off the ground.
Coach O’Leary said that even though there is a new defensive coordinator in Tyson Summers, the defense will continue to bear his heavy handed stamp. “I think the one thing that has stayed consistent in the defense since I got here, is me… I’m always looking for new ideas, new things to help us be a better defense.”
He has made it clear to them that he wants to see more aggression in getting after the ball and causing turnovers this year, saying “defensively, I think we have to do more ball-hawking, taking the ball away from people. We got our hands on 15 balls last year that weren’t intercepted.”
Defensive back Jordan Ozerites has felt that desire even early on, and said that “it’s been repeatedly said to get to the ball, the ball is the issue. And he’s right, we do need to become more of a ball-hawking group.”
The offense will be guided by the depth of experience and talent at wide receiver, no matter who ends up under center.
“We definitely help out all we can,” J.J. Worton said. “It’s been a great experience teaching them what you think you know and how they are coming and transitioning.”
Worton and Rannell Hall made for an exciting tandem last year as ideal pieces to complement each other in the pass attack. Both averaged right about 15.5 yards per catch, though Worton excels inside while Hall can stretch the field against any team.
Running back William Stanback is hungry to prove his flashes of brilliance from last year were not just a flash in the pan. He has bulked up and began to study some of UCF’s all-time best running backs, getting caught watching Kevin Smith game tape on his own.
“I take it day by day,” the running back said, “but I want to be the best and that’s why I’m here.”
O’Leary loves the effort, singing high praise for Stanback early and often.
“When you look at the football team, Stanback stands out,” he said. “I think William runs with power and speed, and he has a great passion for the game. I want him to be the back that can carry it 30 times a game if we need.”
It’s still drastically early; pads are going on for the first time this morning. But this team does not lack for confidence or clarity in their quest to win the conference.
