Section 229 Row 3. $50

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UCF wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe fielded a wide range of questions as his team prepares to open the season on Thursday against South Carolina State.

"I'm really excited," O'Keefe said.

What did he think of Gus Malzahn's decision to name John Rhys Plumlee starting quarterback?

"Like coach said, we have two guys in that battle we can win all the games with," O'Keefe said. "John (Rhys), he's our starter so we're all behind him. I feel like as a team we grew in that camp. The chemistry, just growing as a team."

What element of JRP's game is he excited to see?

"I feel like John Rhys adds another element to the run game," O'Keefe said. "We've already got a deep room at running back. Having to respect his legs, that opens up one-on-ones for the outside. We've got a talented receiver room. Him with his legs opens up a lot for us."

What does he think of transfer wide receivers Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson?

"Those two are straight dogs," O'Keefe said. "They came in and bought in. They came along right with us. I'm excited for them. We've got other receivers in the room like Jaylon Griffin. Amari Johnson is hurt right now. Xavier Townsend. The room is deep."

O'Keefe also talked about Mikey Keene, who will begin the season as the backup quarterback.

"Mikey still comes in and attacks every day. He's a winner, for real... Seeing Mikey push us, still leading the team, it's great to see. Having those two together, it's a good thing."

Just like last season when Mikey was called to play, the same could happen this year.

"He understands that," O'Keefe said. "He's not one of those guys that's going to be selfish. He's bought in. He's still a leader on this team. He's still pushing us. He's still doing everything he needs to to touch the field."

How is the chemistry between JRP and the wide receivers?

"I feel we came along a lot," O'Keefe said. "We're in a good spot right now. We're going to continue catching balls after each practice, just trying to perfect that chemistry."

How excited is he for the season?

"I can't wait," O'Keefe said. "I can barely sleep I'm so excited. I'm ready to get back in the Bounce House and play in front of the best fans and put good stuff on the field."

How is John Rhys Plumlee as a passer?

"I feel like a lot of people are sleeping on his arm," O'Keefe said. "That's a good thing for us. That will open up even more stuff. John Rhys is a quarterback. Everybody says he's a runner. I thought he was at first too. He's shown he can throw the ball. I'm really excited to go out there and play with him. He understands our offense. He understands the reads. He comes up to us, the receivers, we try to get on the same page with each other. He's a really good leader for this team."



Will O'Keefe play on special teams?

"I want to be on special teams. Right now I'm on kickoff, kickoff return, a little bit of punt. I'm trying to get on the field with special teams."

What are his goals to improve playing receiver?

"Me personally, just show what I can do and that's take the top off. That's what I've got to do. Show I can take the top off. I feel I'm very versatile as far as all the running. I want to show I can run routes and take the top off."

How good can this offense be?

"The sky is the limit for this offense. I can't put expectations on us. If we just understand, we've got to go out in every game, it won't be handed to us, but I feel like we're in a good spot to do something special."

How can this offense beat somebody?

"It's pick your poison. If you want to attack the run, okay we'll throw it. If you want to drive everybody back, we've got a quarterback that can run and got a running back that's deep. Pick your poison."

Does UCF want to take back the American from Cincinnati?

"That's always the goal, to win the championship. We understand it's not going to be easy. We're going to get each opponent's best each and every week. We've got a lot of talent in this conference. A lot of people sleep on it. "

How does ROK feel about the UCF defense?

"That's the best defense in the conference. I feel going against those boys gets me better each and every day. The DB room is deep. Straight dogs. You've got d-linemen that get after it. Linebackers, dogs. Our defense as a whole is going to be something special."

ROK named two breakout players to watch: Jaylon Griffin or Xavier Townsend.

"Jayon is a really smooth route runner. He's going to go up and get the ball. He's a bigger body. He was a basketball player in high school so he understands how to go get the ball.

"Everybody says (Xavier Townsend is) the next me. I tell Xavier don't be the next me. Be the best version of you. You'll be better than me. As a freshman, he's already getting snaps. Just take care of your business and the sky is the limit for you."

Edited my title here since it seems like this may be worth keeping up. I’m new this football season so someone correct me if we’ve traditionally done individual non UCF game threads in the past?

anyway I figured maybe it would be fun to throw up a post for misc Saturday football discussion. Again if this isn’t usually what happens here lmk and I can delete.

I’m locked and loaded on WKU v Austin Peay right now to get my fix before the Ireland game. Any other sickos out there?

Calling it now. It is their density.

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This is pretty good

PM me only if selling for $40

The first drop is on Sunday, July 4 with a variety of items that includes a jersey, hat and fanny pack. Are you planning on purchasing one or more items?

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Divaad Wilson envisions big things from UCF's defense in year two under Travis Williams.

"We have our whole secondary back, so we should do better with our pass efficiency on third downs," Wilson said. "Controlling the ball in the air and keeping the top on the coverage. If you ask me, I feel we're going to have a way better run defense because we have more depth in the linebacker room.

"The chemistry is amazing. We have a room full of dogs. If you ask me, the secondary is our strongest suit on the team this year."

Here's more from Wilson's interview as the Knights are now days away from kicking off the season opener against South Carolina State.

What's he feeling like with the season almost here?

"I'm very determined. I know what I have to do. I know we've got games to win. I'm focused on trying to wipe the schedule."

Who are the breakout players to watch on defense?

"I would have to say my little man from Miami, (linebacker) Terrence Lewis," Wilson said. "He hasn't played football in two years, so I'm excited see to him back out there. His right-hand man, B-Jenn, Branden (Jennings), No. 44, I'm excited to see him play as well."

Wilson, who will start at strong safety, appears to be in line to start at punt returner as well given the recent injury to Amari Johnson.

"I take a lot of pride in special teams," Wilson said. "That allows you to separate yourself from other players."

Team goals?

"My last ride, I'm trying to end it with a bang," Wilson said. "We're more focused on ourselves. The main goal is winning. If you win, you get everything that comes with it."

Individual goals?

"As you guys know, I just switched to the safety position," Wilson said. "In order for me to be the best safety in college football, I have to better myself at open-field tackling. Everything else is a breeze for me. I probably have the best man-to-man abilities of any safeties in college football because I transitioned from corner."

Looking on the other side, what excites Wilson about UCF's offense?

"Me personally, I'm excited because they have way more targets like Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson," Wilson said. "Amari is out, but there are other moving pieces. (John Rhys Plumlee) has targets to throw to. We have a running back room that is loaded. I can't wait to see how that pans out."

What's his expectation for the defense?

"For us to play lights out every game," Wilson said. "We're trying to set the standard."

Saturday, Aug. 27

Austin Peay at Western Kentucky | 12 p.m. | CBSSN
Nebraska vs. Northwestern (Dublin, Ireland) | 12:30 p.m. | FOX
Idaho State at UNLV | 3:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Stephen F. Austin vs. Jacksonville State (Montgomery, Alabama) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
UConn at Utah State | 4 p.m. | FS1
Wyoming at Illinois | 4 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Duquesne at Florida State | 5 p.m. | ACC Network
Charlotte at Florida Atlantic | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Howard vs. Alabama State (Atlanta) | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Morehead State at Mercer | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Florida A&M at North Carolina | 8:15 p.m. | ACC Network
North Texas at UTEP | 9 p.m. | Stadium
Nevada at New Mexico State | 10 p.m. | ESPN2
Vanderbilt at Hawai'i | 10:30 p.m. | CBSSN

Former UCF WR Jackie Williams lost everything in the floods in Dallas last week. He only has a few articles of clothing that he was able to salvage. If you can contribute, please consider donating. Thanks.

Good episode IMO...

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I’m ashamed to say I didn’t discover Leonard Cohen until serval years ago. WTf? Was everyone else enjoying this awesome musician and I was still listening to Phil Collins??

After reading the news of the student hitting and killing a pedestrian in Garage F, I decided to drive over to campus and check it out. I park in Garage F a majority of the time, and actually parked there yesterday before the accident.

I was curious where the collision occurred. Students have a tendency to whip around the corners going up the ramp. Based on the paint markings, it appears the person got hit at the bottom going up the ramp.





The FBC Mortgage Sign is fully installed.



The video board had a graphic welcoming Gavin Lambert. I wonder if that's who was in this helicopter parked in E6.







Lastly, a crew was hanging UCF banners on the light poles.

Just came across a Dalton Conrad tweet and noticed he is now working for Nebraska. He was the guy who had a big part in creating the Knight Flicks series here. So I click on his page and saw that there is a new Nebraska docuseries called "The Place." No doubt Frost had a hand in the naming.
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We get the Jags game instead. Yay…

I wonder what was so bad in this post?!?

For the SC State game, I have a parking pass for sale. Baseball Lot. Great lot - never full or busy and great location to all the action. DM me if interested.

LMK