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Colorado held their game week press conference Tuesday in advance of their upcoming road game at UCF.

Here's what head coach Deion Sanders, defensive lineman Shane Cokes and safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig had to say about facing the Knights.

Coach Deion Sanders​

On facing UCF and head coach Gus Malzahn:

"Coach Malzahn, I love him. I appreciate him. He's one of my favorite coaches in college football. The way he gave us love and showed us love and compassion, when I think Shedeur was a sophomore or a junior going up to a visit at Auburn, and he offered him on the spot. It was tremendous.

"I love what he's brought to college football. A lot of similarities, he does it his way, and I love the way he does it. He's unapologetic about the way he does it. And he's with a bunch of Florida boys, which is my home state, which I absolutely adore.

"And it's gonna be a great game. I look forward to the contest. They run the ball extremely well. They get to the ball on defense, pretty much a veteran team when you're looking at several seniors on each side of the ball.

"So that's a tremendous amount of experience. And they don't make a lot of mistakes. Big quarterback, strong guy that can not only throw the football, but he can run as well.

So we got our work cut out for us."

On defending UCF's strong running game:

"Well, we gotta load the box up and pray and stop the run. I feel good about our scheme. I feel good about what I saw at practice today. I feel good about what we've been accomplishing versus the run defensively.

"We gotta improve in some certain areas. But I think we get Chidozie (Nwanko) back this week as well. That's a tremendous plus because of his attitude, his leadership, and the way he works. Tremendous plus."

More on going up against Gus Malzahn:

"Well, it's an honor. It's an honor, you gotta understand. I was a little high school coach visiting those guys, taking my kids on the college tours. And now to have the opportunity to coach on the same field, it's an honor. It's a tremendous honor, and I got love for him.

"I mean, after we play them, then I could call him for advice. He's not gonna give me advice before. But he's one of the guys that I would call for advice on certain situations that may occur with college football players. I'm pretty sure everybody's dealing with the guys that wants to redshirt. I think everybody's dealing with that right now. So you're having those meetings. We're not the only one having several meetings.

"But I'm pretty sure a host of college football coaches are having those. And I would like to know how they deal with certain situations. But maybe after the game. That's what Chip Kelly told me last year. He said, after the game, you can call me."

On Sanders and other Florida natives on the team returning to their home state of Florida:

"Well, it's good now. Until you get down there and play, you gotta win. We don't wanna go down there and think it's just a road trip, it's a field trip. We wanna go down there and win. So we're practicing our butt off, trying to make sure we dot I's and cross T's. And we give it a valiant effort.

"It starts in practice. Everything starts in practice. I tell the kids this morning, it's like a vending machine. Whatever you put in, you're gonna get out, unless you wanna go to Vegas.

"And put a little bit in, you expect to get a lot out. But that's called gambling, where I'm from. And you don't wanna gamble with your career, with your life, and with the time you have left.

"So our Florida boys are excited, but they know we're on the job, it's on the job."

On why Florida has tremendous football talent:

"That hunger, that thirst, that will, that want, that me against the world. That we don't have the best of things, but we gonna make the most of things.

"The way our parents came up to desolate and turbulent times that we've come through, the naysayers, the haters.

"Florida may have the least paid high school coaches in the country, but may produce the most athletes in the country. I don't know how that happens, even when it comes to facilities.

"I'm sure Texas is number one when it comes to facilities. And Florida's still putting out dogs. I don't know if anybody have done a study lately, but in the NFL, I'm pretty sure Florida's ranked up there pretty darn high.

"And it's not a huge state. But I'm speaking, because one of the kids just asked this question. And (Warren) Sapp just took over that conversation and let them know, if you want to put an All Pro team out there with Florida boys, we got one. So that just happened in the game, before the game in the cafeteria the night before. So one of the guys was talking about Georgia was like that. And Sapp had to check him on that."

On leaving for Florida early because of the approaching storm (Colorado will now fly in on Wednesday instead of Thursday):

"Well, our players like simplicity, and I do too. So I don't wanna take a risk and a chance of, we're gonna leave Thursday anyway. So the storm is supposed to hit Thursday. So we don't wanna take that chance, and the storm hits Thursday. Now we can't get there to Friday evening, now it's a rush.

"So we're trying to get ahead of the curve and be smart with it. Our guys like consistency. So being settled and having a consistent plan in place works in our favor.

"We've already secured practice facilities. We already, I think, set the truck on the road. We're right where we wanna be. We're just gonna make it consistent as possible for our young men."

DL Shane Cokes​

On how to defend UCF's running game, which ranks No. 1 in the country:

"Simply, dominate, start off fast. I mean, that's the biggest thing for us. I think it's taken us a little bit to start off fast.

"The first two games, start off slow in the first quarter, come back in the second half. I think these past two weeks from Baylor and CSU, we've kind of done that. We've kind of started off, played a complete game.

"But we know they're No. 1 in the nation, so we need to match up to that. And we need to play to that level, be physical up front, be gap sound, be disciplined, and play with the competition."

On moving on from the dramatic win vs. Baylor and shifting focus to UCF:

" Short-term memory, short-term memory always. Win, lose, draw, no matter what. So obviously, Saturday night was crazy. Probably craziest game I've ever played in, for sure. But enjoy that Sunday, fix mistakes, watch the film.

"And now today, get ready for UCF, because, hey, gotta go 1-0 again this week. Big game before the bye week, so focus on them."

On defending UCF QB KJ Jefferson:

"Yeah, I mean, obviously, like always, QB draw and plays like that. But going up against KJ Jefferson this week, we know he likes to run. They ran on us the past weeks through quarterback runs.

"So I think it's just putting emphasis on that. If this worked a few weeks ago, they're probably gonna work on it this week and run against us. So we know it's coming, they know they wanna do it. So point is to stop it, see it in practice, see how we're gonna run against it and just put a stop to it. We know the challenge is up, so we just gotta face it."

On UCF being a heavy favorite and whether they feel like an underdog:

"I mean, underdog, no matter what the situation is, you gotta go into every game with the mindset of going 1-0 that week. That's how I take it, that's how the defense takes it, that's how the D-line room takes it. Every week is a challenge.

"They practice too, they practice plays, they practice to win. So no matter if they're the favorite, we're the underdog, we're the underdog, they're the favorite. It's about going in that Saturday and playing a full and complete game."

DB Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig​

On playing in the Bounce House, a hostile environment, similar to what they faced at Nebraska:

"Just everything, just trying to start fast. I mean, we've had a problem with that since I've been here. Honestly, I'm just coming out and starting fast from the jump. We had a pretty good start this week, coming out and getting a three and out.

"So it's something you just gotta work at. We're just trying to find different ways to start fast. When we come to practice, we just make sure we're ready to go practice. So when we hit the field and nobody's fiddling around with their helmet, shoulder pads, we're just trying to start fast. And it comes, it comes.

"It's kind of like we wanna make the game dramatic. We kinda want all the games to go viral at this point. So that's how it is, but we're just working on everything."

On facing UCF QB KJ Jefferson:

"Just tackling him hard and early. KJ is great with his legs, a lot of running we fixing to get. So just make sure everybody doing their jobs and get to the quarterback and we get to him, we make sure the tackles on him, the big old guy."

On Colorado's Florida players being excited to go home:

"These guys ready to go back home. Everybody's trying to trade tickets and everything. They got a million people coming to the game. So everybody's excited to go down to Florida. It's gonna be a nice venue, a nice team to play against."

Brandon Marcello from CBS Sports joined the Sons of UCF LIVE to talk about the current results in the Big 12 conference - including contenders and dark horse teams to watch.

He also provided some unique insight on the UCF Knights, including head coach Gus Malzahn, from his time reporting on the team.

Lastly, Brandon previews his upcoming piece of the future of Florida coach Billy Napier.

Thanks for watching here.

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Who remembers that? It was on every night on the nightly news.


Turns out the outbreak was caused by the measles vaccine. Fear mongering and bullshit to sell and mandate vaccines that don't work and are dangerous💰🤦‍♀️

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Hey everyone...UCF is gonna run the ball...nothing you can do about it....

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A - Go all out and give ourself the highest chance to make the playoff

B - Load manage and risk close games

Title says it all - with the potential for 16 games I’m leaning B

This Luke Altmeyer guy from Illinois looks like he just got kicked out of a Morgan Wallen concert for snorting battery acid

UCF Football: Colorado Game Week Press Conference​

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Coach Bear has all the pieces for a World Series run. Great pitching depth and the hitters to back them up.

I’d say get tickets but they’re already sold out. Rumor has it they won’t add seating for the Oklahoma and Texas games. We are going to look bush league. I hope TTT doesn’t embarrass us on national TV by not adding seating. Could be a World Series preview.

Although a lot of this is related to the hiring 'ramp up' during the pandemic, a lot of Tech is laying off ... up 649% in '22 according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.


I know we have a number of Knights in Tech, so just wanted to start a thread where Knights can help Knights. E.g., Microsoft's pink slips started today (10x as many as in October), and will run through March.

The highly anticipated matchup between UCF and Colorado will really be a clash of contrasting styles, with UCF looking to dominate on the ground and Colorado more of an air threat. UCF RB RJ Harvey knows that the Knights need to run the ball and focus on what they do best. For Harvey, this is an opportunity to build on his season in front of a national audience.

More here from Andrew Cherico for the Sons of UCF.

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The highly anticipated matchup between UCF and Colorado will really be a clash of contrasting styles, with UCF looking to dominate on the ground and Colorado more of an air threat. UCF RB RJ Harvey knows that the Knights need to run the ball and focus on what they do best. For Harvey, this is an opportunity to build on his season in front of a national audience.

More here from Andrew Cherico for the Sons of UCF.

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What’s the word on USF? You guys are very familiar with that program and keep up with their team. Thanks.

Darryll Desir and Mandrell Desir both loved their Bounce House Weekend visit to UCF.

It was the first OV for the defensive end twins from Miami Norland.

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Before the beginning of the season, media pundits talked about how the ball would need to bounce the right way, and luck would be needed for UCF to have a truly magical season. Fans saw this in 2017.

And we just witnessed it last weekend. Looking back on this season in December, I'm hoping that TCU will have kicked us off for a season of kind situations/calls etc.

I don't think its significance has been mentioned enough.

GO KNIGHTS!

Fresno, Boise, San Diego State and Colorado State join July 2026. They'll need to add 2 more by then to remain intact as a conference. N. Texas, Ruce, UTSA, and even Cal and Stanford are being mentioned.

Coleton Brady

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UCF head coach Gus Malzahn, coming off a bye week and a Big 12 opener victory at TCU, talks about the opportunity of hosting Colorado and FOX's Big Noon Kickoff.

Opening statement:

"Okay, the off week came at a great time. It was really good for us, a little self-evaluation and try to improve in the areas that we need to improve, get a little bit of a head start on our opponent, Colorado.

"Watched them Saturday night, a real impressive win. The way they won, you look at their offense, they've got playmakers. I think it starts with their quarterback (Shedeur Sanders). He does a good job of throwing the ball vertically down the field. He can extend plays. That's been very impressive, throwing to his right and his left. He's got speed at receiver and some playmakers at the skill positions.

"Defensively, they're aggressive defense. They challenge you, and they've got, I guess, two NFL coordinators.

"It's going to be a good test for us. Obviously, a big game for us being at home. Real excited for our fan base. It's a really good opportunity for our program."

More on the opportunity coming up on Saturday, Big Noon Kickoff on Fox is coming to campus. Just how big of an opportunity is that to showcase UCF?

"Yeah, you know, we're a young Power Four team. It's still growing. So it's a great opportunity for our fan base to show what we're about. And it's a great opportunity for our program, too, on a national stage. You've just got to seize the moment."

Coach, you mentioned Shedeur Sanders, Colorado's quarterback. You've had experience with him in the past. You actually recruited him, I think at Auburn. What do you see out there specifically? What do you need to do to limit his ability to get out of the pocket and make plays?

"Yeah, I mean, you've got to put pressure on him, there's no doubt. So far, we've not done a great job of putting pressure on quarterbacks when they've thrown it. So we've got to do a better job of that. I think that's going to be a real big key to the game.

"The thing about it last week is he took off and used his feet and made some plays there. But you can just tell he's a veteran guy. You can tell he stays calm. You can tell he's a smart guy, too."

Coach, you mentioned the opportunity to showcase the team. From a football perspective, and I know you're facing what's in front of you first, and you've still got to get the wins. But how big of an impact could this game have leading towards the end of the season when you're campaigning maybe for a playoff spot potentially?

"Yeah, like you said, we're just worried about this game. This is a big game. It's the next game. And playing an opponent that is hot, there's no doubt about that. The way they won was really, really impressive. So it's a big game within its own right. We're not thinking anything past that."

What can you tell us about the return of John Walker, his status?

"He's not going to be available this week. And so I'll have more on that probably next week."

Coach, with so much hype around this game, off the field with the Big Noon kickoff and Colorado, Big 12, how they won, how you guys won your last game, how do you just kind of keep the team focused just playing football and just putting the ball down and getting the job done?

"Yeah, last week was really good. Like I said, we were able to focus on us. And there was a lot of areas that we had to clean up and improve on really in all three phases. So we did that. We also worked on developing some of our younger guys, you know, to be ready. And then, an extra day or two against an opponent like this is definitely good.

"Our guys are pretty well focused. I mean, they understand. They understand what we're dealing with and what we need to do. We've got a lot of veteran guys that played a lot of football, really good leadership. You're going to hear from two of those guys here in just a second.

"We practiced last night and they're going about their business. We just need to do a good job executing in all three phases."

At Big 12 media day, you said you were a fan of Deion Sanders. What do you admire about him both as an athlete from his playing days and now that he's become a Division I college football coach?

"Yeah, when he was playing, he's one of the better players to ever play the game. And then, you know, what I admire about him, he does his work. And, you know, this is a deal where you look at, you know, college football as entertainment. And the juice and the attention he brings to our league, I think, is really good. And so, you know, he does it his way.

"And, I'm an old high school coach. I do it my way. I'm a little bit different too.

"But, no, he has his team playing well. And he's doing a good job."

Coach, you mentioned pressure. UCF has had one sack in three games. On the counter note, Colorado has allowed 16 sacks in four games. Is the expectation to get to Shedeur Sanders?

"Oh, I mean, that's going to be a big key to the game. There's no doubt about it. When you let the guy sit back there and have time he does a good job. As a matter of fact, he does a pretty good job even when he doesn't have time. He'll hang in there, man. Press will watch him on film. He'll hang in there to the last second, take a lick, and deliver the ball and get back up to the next play.

"And he does a really good job extending plays. Like I said, he can go to his right and his left, and he does a pretty efficient job. You know, there was one play last week, he extended the play and he throws to a guy, and the guy broke a tackle and went the distance for a touchdown. So, you've got to do a good job of getting to him and disrupt him."

Travis Hunter is one of the best players in the country. Talk about the challenge that you guys have on Saturday, defending him but also seeing him on defense.

"Yeah, when you watch them, I mean, he sticks out. He's the guy that sticks out. He's an elite player. They try to give him the ball on offense, and he does a good job in a one-on-one situation, and he's electric when he has the ball in his hands.

"Defensively, he's a confident guy. And you can see, I mean, he made the play the other night in overtime that forced the fumble. He's just an elite player.

"And it's really, really impressive to see what he's doing playing that many snaps. I mean, I've not, since I've been in college football, I've not seen it. But, you know, he's an elite, elite player."

Coach, you talked about how this is a good showcase for the team. It's also a good showcase for recruiting. I know a lot of the nation's top talent is going to be here. What's this matchup for you in terms of that?

"Well, you have the opportunity if your program is building and all that, and there are certain opportunities you've got to seize the moment. We're going to have as good a group of recruits that's ever been here, and so we've got to seize the moment on the field. So our guys understand that. Our coaches understand that. Like I said, we're playing a very quality opponent too."

Coach, with the attention that this game has, what kind of atmosphere are you expecting, and how does the support from the community affect you and your team?

"Yeah, the atmosphere is going to be as good as it gets. I mean, this place is going to be rocking, there's no doubt. So I know I'm real excited about it. Our players are real excited about it too."

Coach, I have a quick news question that I need to ask just about the tropical storm that we're watching, I guess. I know you guys have been through this before here in Central Florida, but how do you account for that as you look toward Saturday?

"Yeah, we're aware of it like you are, and we're going about our business like we're going to be fine. But I've learned since I've been here, you've got to adjust. If we have to adjust, we'll adjust. But right now we're on go, and we're just moving forward like it's going to be played without any issues."

I know you started out the season 3-0 as well last year, same thing this year, and then it took a downturn last year. How do you sort of, from a coach's perspective, ensure that this team doesn't slide the same way and keeps on the upward trajectory?

"Yeah. This is a completely different team. We have more experience, and I've said that before. We actually are 1-0 in conference. We weren't that way last year. We had a real quality road win. So it's a different year, and that ship's sailed. We're not thinking that way. We've got a big game, and we need to take care of business."

Kind of building off of that, I know you've had the bye week since the last game, but how much confidence did the team gain from winning that first Big 12 game on the road?

"Yeah. But I think it's how you win is so important to the chemistry and makeup of a team. And the fact that we fought back through major adversity. I mean, now there were so many areas that, you know, we had three kicks blocked. I mean, you don't usually win any games with one or two kicks, much less three. But our guys overcame that. And so we can carry that and have that in our back pocket the rest of the year."

Coach, there's been so much talk about the hype of this game with Coach Prime and Big Noon Kickoff. Have the players, from what you've seen, have they understood how big and important this game is?

"Yeah, they understand how big it is, there's no doubt. This is what you build up for and play for, and our guys have that chip on their shoulder. And, like I said, we've got to seize the moment with an opportunity and playing a very quality opponent.

"It's one of the bigger home games we've had. There's no doubt about that. And when you throw everything from the crowd to the Big Noon Kickoff to the recruits and everything, I mean, it's an opportunity for us as a program."

Coach, you mentioned the blocked kicks against TCU. When you look back at the film, what were some of the areas that concerned you about that? Or is that something that was just maybe a one-time thing? What can you do maybe to avoid that?

"Yeah, it better be a one-time thing. We've addressed that. There was a couple different issues that led to the different blocked kicks. We focused really hard. That starts with coaching them. We've got to coach the guys better. And so, you know, we've addressed that, and we'll see how it carries over. I'm expecting it to carry over real positively."

You talk about how Travis Hunter is an elite player on both sides of the ball. Can you just explain how challenging that is to be able to play almost the entire game?

"It's real challenging. I mean, you know, it's hard to play all the snaps on one side of the ball. But they do a good job with how they go about it. Like I said, he's an elite guy. Like, I mean, he's a special guy. And you watch him on film, he's the best player on the film on all four games. And it's not even close. So, yeah, he's an elite guy."

What do you like most about the matchup of your offense against Colorado's defense?

"So far we've been good at running the football. We've been good at vertically throwing the ball down the field when they stack everybody up. I mean, you know, the more quality opponents you play, the more challenging that is. But through three games we've done a good job.

"And we've done a good job, you know, holding on the football. I'm talking about with our ones. So the twos, we got a little sloppy a couple times. We just got to keep building. They're going to present some different challenges. You know, they're real aggressive. They're going to man you up quite a bit. You're going to roll an extra guy down the box to stop the run. But, you know, we got to take what they give us."

You've talked before about how important that fullback/tight end position is. I saw Randy Pittman led the team for skill guys in snaps. How important is he to this team?

"Randy is just – he's an old school football player. He's probably one of our best all-around football players. He's like a coach on the field. And he can adjust. He's a physical guy. He's really good at catching the ball too. He's got really everything it takes. So he's very, very important to our offense."

KJ, you mentioned he was banged up a bit during the TCU game. Brandon Adams had the cramping issue at the end of that game. How is their health? Is there anybody else that's not available?

"No, all of them have practiced. As a matter of fact, everybody that practiced, that played in the last game, they've all practiced. It was a good week to kind of heal up. That's always good to have. It just happened to be a little earlier in the season than it has been in the past. But that was good for us."

I know we're going to talk to RJ here in a moment. Obviously one of the top running backs in the country. The stats are proving it out. Just what did you see from him, especially in that TCU game in that second half? Just talk about how he kind of put the team on his shoulders.

"Well, he's an elite player in his own right. There's no doubt about that. Through three games, he's doing some really special things. And, you know, this spring, this fall camp, you could tell he was different. He improved from last year in playing without the ball, playing with the ball. His vision, his explosiveness, strength. I mean, he ran with a mission with a game on the line. And so, you know, he's one of those elite guys in the country also."

Gus, I think you and I spoke about this in the media day in Vegas. You're a Cowboys fan. Is that correct? Were you a Cowboys fan growing up?

"Yeah, I was born in Irving and lived there until I was six. And my parents split up. My dad stayed in the Metroplex. My mom remarried and we moved to Arkansas. Yeah, I was a big Dallas Cowboys fan back in the day."

What do you remember of Deion? And how similar – you mentioned Travis Hunter. How similar is that kind of to what Deion does and what Travis is able to do?

"Yeah, I think it's similar. I mean, he played both ways and he was the best corner in the league. There's no doubt about that. And they put him on offense and he was one of the best receivers too. So there's some similarities."

Coach, touching back a little bit to the TCU game, there's kind of a football mantra, I should say, that the biggest improvement is between week one and week two. Do you feel like perhaps the biggest improvement in the squad was in the first half of that TCU game into maybe the second half of that game?

"You know, I'd say from week one to week two. I think everybody can see Sam Houston's a pretty good team. Yeah. Okay. And we did a good job of improvement. You know, the challenge is this time of year the good teams, they continue to improve. And then some of the teams the first year that are doing really well, you know, they have one loss or whatever and they go off the deep end. And we got it. Our challenge is for us to improve each game. It's hard to do in college football. It's easy to talk about. But that's our challenge.

"And I think the good thing for us is having that off week, it gave us a chance to really focus on us more than the other opponent, which a lot of times you just got to worry about the opponent. And if you have some deficiencies, sometimes you don't have time to address them like you should. So, you know, that's our challenge. And like I said, we're playing a quality opponent. So, we'll see."

Kobe Hudson is one of the highest rated players in the country against man coverage. What sort of strides have you seen from him? And how important is that to this particular matchup?

"You know, we focused really hard in the spring and fall camp on the 50-50 balls and contested catches. And he has really answered the bell with that one. And doing a really good job with his route running. Strong with the ball.

"Him and KJ, they have that quarterback receiver thing that is really, really important."

Coach, you mentioned that you wouldn't really know the team, you really wouldn't know their heart until they faced adversity. What better response then to come back at the end of that TCU game? And how do you expect them to keep responding?

"We learned a lot. They learned a lot about themselves. And that was really important. And like I said, that we'll be able to carry that in our back pocket if those things present themselves again. I really like the way we responded."

You mentioned Kobe. What more do you need to see from the rest of your wide receivers?

"I think all the other receivers are doing a really good job. You know, the unique thing is each game unfolds differently. They're all capable of making big plays when their number's called."

Sons pod with Adam and @UCFMike1 where we cover the UCF/Colorado matchup by playing Malzahn or Malzoff, revealing our headlines, and going over Mike's picks. Plus, tupperware, pocketbooks, and Taysom Hill (kinda).

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Sons pod with Adam and @UCFMike1 where we cover the UCF/Colorado matchup by playing Malzahn or Malzoff, revealing our headlines, and going over Mike's picks. Plus, tupperware, pocketbooks, and Taysom Hill (kinda).

Click here to listen.

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Only 13 uncommitted prospects remain: