UCF Past and Present: Coach Talks So. Miss, Alumni Kick Off NFL Season

On Tuesday, September 8, the media met with Coach George O'Leary during UCF football's weekly media luncheon to discuss the Knights' upcoming away game against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The Knights will kick off against the Golden Eagles at 7 p.m. this Saturday night at M.M. Roberts stadium. With such a close victory against 1-AA Samford last week at home at  the Bright House, fans have been hungry for answers about how the Knights have been preparing to execute a win in their first conference game of the season.

Here's what Coach had to say:

Opening Statement

“I think watching tape on them (Southern Miss) from last year they are a good football team that basically can run it and throw the ball. Defensively, they can run around and hit and they can play a lot of different coverages.

"I told our players to be prepared for a very physical game and, obviously, we have to execute a lot better than we did in last week's game."

On UCF's quarterback situation against Southern Miss

“I spoke to Charlie (Taaffe) about it, and both quarterbacks will play. That is where I will leave it. I was disappointed in Rob [Calabrese] only because I think he practiced so well and then he went out and sort of zoned out. I am not sure what it was, but he made some mistakes he doesn't normally make.

"Give credit to Brett [Hodges]. He went in and took the opportunity and ran with it. I was happy for him. But again, both of them are going to have to help us until we can settle in on just one.

"They know the situation and we rotate them in practice."

On defending Southern Miss

“I am concerned about the passing game a little bit. I think the running game and (Damion Fletcher) is something we have faced for three years now.

"I think the key to the whole football game is their quarterback. I think he does a good job checking to the right play and getting it to someone's hands so they can do something with it when they catch it.

"I have been impressed with them. Their yards after the catch have been impressive. We have to tackle very well in the secondary. We have to play our line of scrimmage game the way we can play it."

Coach O'Leary also touched on what the Knights need to improve on from last Saturday's game, especially after the hindsight he has been examining all week. He said that he expected the defense to play better against Samford, and that the defense should have had a sack.

“One thing I was encouraged by them is they never left the game,” O'Leary said, one of the elements of the game that all Knights backers can agree on.

In other Knights football news, the NFL season opens tonight with 15 former UCF Knights players on active rosters. Last year's special teams darling, Joe Burnett, will make his NFL debut in Pittsburgh tonight versus Tennessee.

Detroit's football roster this year includes two UCF greats, Daunte Culpepper and Kevin Smith. Another NFL franchise with multiple Knights is the Denver Broncos, who feature 2008 All-Pro WR Brandon Marshall and place kicker Matt Prater.

Here's to the Knights football alumni making us proud in the NFL's Week One, and to the current football squad making us proud in Hattiesburg this weekend.

View Jessica's articles at Examiner.com Orlando.