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Outstanding PICTURES of the UCF Women’s Softball vs Georgia game. WE WON!!!

Per UCFKnights.com…


ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF softball team is set to begin its 2022 season against a competitive field in The CFX Classic. The Knights will start the campaign by hosting No. 12 Georgia on Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by meetings with Minnesota, Fresno State and Longwood throughout the weekend.

The Black and Gold are looking to improve on what was a great 2021 season. The Knights finished the year with a 41-19-1 record, reaching the final of the American Athletic Conference Championship as well as the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. It was the first time since 2015 that a Knight team has eclipsed the 40-win mark. UCF earned three wins over top five teams, beating No. 2 Arizona 2-0 and sweeping No. 5 Florida in an in-season home-and-home, earning 8-6 and 7-0 victories. The Black and Gold finished the year just outside of the NFCA Top 25, receiving votes in the final poll of 2021.



Lets Go Ladies…



I‘m headed out to the game now…

Analysis on why former NBA players have struggled as college coaches, Dawkins gets a C+

Stadium:

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway welcomed in two of the most talented freshmen in the country, a Hall of Fame coach and yet is on track to a fourth consecutive season without an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing sits in the cellar of the Big East with an 0-10 record. He’s suffered more than twice as many Big East setbacks (54) than wins (26) and hasn’t been able to make his alma mater relevant beyond a three-day stretch last March in the Big East Tournament.

Jerry Stackhouse has struggled to rack up SEC victories in three years since taking over a Vanderbilt program that went to eight NCAA Tournaments from 2004-17.

That trio is likely to join the lengthy list of former NBA players who haven’t exactly thrived in the college coaching ranks.


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OT: Alabama will be a new $183 Million "smaller" Hoop Arena, students to surround the court

Alabama is looking to move out of their 54 year old 15,000 seat coliseum with poor sight lines and build a new $183 Million 10,136 seat arena that puts 2,200 students seats surrounding 3 sides of the court. (Makes for great TV viewing atmosphere plus makes those sections collapsible so they can convert it to a gymnastics floor for competition...which is big $$ in the SEC).

Of course this follows Auburn's lead who moved out of their old Coliseum and built a new 9,300 seat Arena...and the success that has followed that move.

Old 15,300 seat Bama Coliseum:
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***Davonte Brown: 'UCF can run the table' in 2022***

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Cornerback Davonte Brown, who was UCF's top defensive performer in 2021 with a team-best 82.3 PFF season grade, sees big things ahead for his upcoming junior season.

"I feel we can run the table this year," Brown said. "We have a good-enough team .We added a lot of pieces to help us in different areas. I think this year is gonna be our year."

Starting all 13 games, Brown led UCF with 13 pass breakups with three of those coming in the Gasparilla Bowl win against Florida.

"I'd say I'm more confident on the field," Brown said when asked where he made the most improvement. "Knowing what I'm supposed to do, executing the assignment and having fun out there."

What does he want to personally accomplish in 2022?

"On a personal level, I just want to continue to up my play," Brown said. "Help others around me. Teach others. Show them what I've learned and try to be the best player and teammate I can be."

As for Sunday's Super Bowl clash between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals, Brown didn't hesitate when asked to make a pick.

"I'm taking the Rams," he said. "They've got defense with Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller. They're gonna be tough. I like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, but I think the Rams are gonna step it up."

***Ryan O'Keefe reflects on Gasparilla Bowl, excited for 2022***

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Ryan O'Keefe cemented his place in UCF Football history with his memorable performance in the 29-17 Gasparilla Bowl victory against Florida. The offensive athlete and return specialist earned the game's Most Valuable Player award with a bowl record 251 all-purpose yards, including seven receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown while carrying the rock four times for 110 yards.

During his 54-yard touchdown catch trot late in the third quarter to build UCF's lead, O'Keefe flashed the "deuces" as a tribute to former player Otis Anderson who had tragically passed just a few weeks prior.

In the month-plus since the game, O'Keefe said he's definitely felt the outpouring of love from the fanbase.

"I love Knight Nation," O'Keefe said. "I feel they're the best fans in the nation. I feel like no matter what they're gonna ride with us. I so much appreciate it. I feel I did my thing in the game, but at the same time it wouldn't have happened without my teammates. Without the blocks, without Mikey (Keene) throwing the ball, I wouldn't have done what I did. It's a team game."

Here's more from from O'Keefe's interview:

UCF just added another playmaker at wide receiver in Kobe Hudson, who was Auburn's No. 1 target in 2021. That's a big boost to the room which includes O'Keefe and Jaylon Robinson returning as well.

"I love it," O'Keefe said. "Like you said, with me, Flash and Kobe, those are names that are already known, but we've got young guys in the room too just as talented, just waiting their turn."

O'Keefe will be a senior this upcoming season. Can he believe it?

"Sometimes I talk to my dad about that," O'Keefe said. "He always told me college is gonna go fast. I was like, yeah, yeah, whatever. But now I look up and I feel like I got here a year ago. Now I'm a senior."

Mikey Keene returns as UCF's starting quarterback, but there's more competition in the mix this spring following the midyear additions of Ole Miss transfer John Rhys Plumlee and highly-touted freshman Thomas Castellanos.

"We love it," O'Keefe said. "We feel competition breeds success. With them competing, we're gonna get the best version of each quarterback. It's gonna help improve their game and help our overall game improve."

O'Keefe said the quarterbacks and receivers throw and catch three times per week during the offseason and at times they'll put in some individual work too.

"They're all coming along," O'Keefe said. "It's gonna be fun to watch them battle."

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How does O'Keefe want to improve in 2022?

"My game IQ," he said. "I want to get a little smarter, figure out different things to help me get open. The top end of my routes, I want to improve. Just being confident each and every week."

He called wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt a "father figure" and is thankful Gus Malzahn hired him back into the program.

After winning nine games in spite of a rash of injuries, O'Keefe says year two under Malzahn is going to be even better.

"I feel like we're gonna run the table," O'Keefe said. "I feel we're gonna be one of the best offenses in the nation. That comes with preparation. We've got the talent to do it. We've got to get one percent better each and every day to become the best version of ourselves."

Being this should be UCF's final year in the American, O'Keefe wants to finally get that ring.

"I talk to Zay (Isaiah Bowser) about that all the time," O'Keefe said. "I'm like bro, we've only got one year left. Let's win it all. We've got the talent, but talent can only take you so far. It's the preparation and the work ethic you need to complete what you want to do."

O'Keefe loves being in a program led by Gus Malzahn.

"I feel like we're one big family out here," O'Keefe said. "Coach Gus is really a major part of that. He preaches family. He always wants us to do the right thing. Be the right person every day. I feel like the sky is the limit for this team."

UCF is in the midst of winter workouts before beginning spring practice next month. This will be the first full offseason working under head strength coach, Chris Dawson.

"Coach Dawson will get you right," O'Keefe said. "When he first came in I was like woo! It was way different. I was throwing up. I had never thrown up in workouts. My bench jumped 50 pounds. My squat has been going crazy up. Coach Dawson, I feel like he's one of the best in the country."

As a former high school quarterback, O'Keefe occasionally was utilized for some trickeration plays. He was a perfect 3-for-3 on pass attempts in 2021, two of which went for touchdowns. He's one of several players on the team that were former prep quarterbacks.

"I feel I'm the Lamar Jackson of the team because I can run and throw," O'Keefe said. "Out of all the non-QBs, I'm the best quarterback. It's fun. It's something special because you can surprise teams."

Bengals or Rams - what's his Super Bowl pick?

"I'm gonna say the Rams because of the Bengals' o-line, but I feel Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are freaks," O'Keefe said. "I feel it can go either way."

Who are his favorite players in the NFL right now?

"I love Deebo Samuel," O'Keefe said. "He's probably the top dude right now for me. I love watching him play. I feel I emulate his game a little bit. Tyreek Hill, he's one of the shorter fast guys. But for me, Gabe (Davis). Watching Gabe is probably the funnest for me because I personally know him. I saw him work every day. Seeing the amazing plays he did this past season, I knew it was gonna happen because he works so hard."

UCF alum and Buffalo Bills' second-year player Gabriel Davis just set a NFL Playoff record with four touchdowns in the epic Bills-Chiefs game a couple weeks back, including a clutch 19-yard catch to put the Bills on top with 13 seconds left. The Bills inexplicably lost however as Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs marched down the field in two plays to set up a game-tying field goal, then won the game in overtime.

"They've got videos of me running around the house going crazy just because (Gabe Davis) is doing crazy stuff," O'Keefe said. "Fourth and 13 and he caught a touchdown. I going crazy. I thought he was going to win. Gabe's a special player."

Seeing Gabe's success at the next level is also big-time motivation for O'Keefe, who hopes to have the same opportunity.

"It inspires me a lot," O'Keefe said. "I just saw Tre (Nixon) and Gabe today. They're back working. There's no offseason for them. They understand what it takes to be the best. I'm hopefully gonna get to where they're at."

UCF Women’s Softball hosts Top 25 Contender U. Of Minnesota. 6:30 pm on ESPN+

Per UCFKnights.com website:


1,093 fans came out to witness an incredible opening night, the second highest attended game during the Ball-Malone era and highest for an opening night matchup. The crowd was just 69 spectators shy of becoming the highest attended game since 2019 and 144 shy of breaking the all-time attendance record of 1,236 which was set on Apr. 4, 2018 in a 1-0 victory over No. 4 Florida.

The Knights earn their first win in three tries against Georgia, with the last meeting being a close 2-0 decision back in 2017. Head coach Ball-Malone is just three wins shy of reaching 100 at UCF and four of reaching 200 in her career. The Black and Gold finished the evening with 10 total walks drawn, two shy of tying the team record in a single game.

UP NEXT
UCF is right back in action on Friday night as they host Minnesota at 6:30 p.m. The Golden Gophers, like the Knights, began the season receiving votes in the NFCA Preseason Top 25.


Lets Go Ladies!!!!!..

Help with UCF themed basket fundraiser

My wife is putting together a UCF themed basket in support of our 4th grader's elementary school. Does anyone have any new/unused UCF items they would be willing to donate towards this? We could also use cash donations to buy items.
@Mike_Lee @wardfamily do you think there is a chance I could get any players to sign a football or something? Figured it was worth asking.
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Way OT: Looking for a little legal advise from getting burned by a company.

I've been chasing StockX for a lost shipment for a few months now, my dumbass trusted it wouldn't happen again and a second shipment was lost - truthfully I think the employees at the UPS store are stealing high value shipments based on some odd behaviors when I dropped three things off and only one went missing.

Long story short, StockX says your packages are insured as a seller - they pay for shipment. Through this, they had this unpublished policy apparently where if the item doesn't leave the UPS store they wipe their hands of doing anything. in Dec they published this new phrasing - this was after the first shipment was lost, but before the second one.

UPS says the item left, but got lost in the distribution center - they say the claims are approved but that is where I sit stuck. StockX won't finalize the claim, they tell me to work with UPS, UPS says I can't do any more as I wasn't the shipper.

I'm out like $3500. Was thinking small claims court is my only option, but not sure if I have any possibility to win there.

New published language for clarification - this is what they are hanging their hat on saying they won't follow through with the claim:

"My item never left drop off / It’s been more than 3 business days, and I haven’t seen an update to the tracking information:

If your tracking information indicates that your package has not left the drop-off location, it is best that you reach out to that exact location for more information or to retrieve your item. Your item should still be at that location because there are no other physical scans."

OT: Saban makes good recommendation for Transfer Portal

I agree...as why should a school have to pay for an entire semester of tuition, room and board when a player can enter the transfer portal in mid Sept? (And can't enroll at the new school till Jan).

I like having a calendar for transfer portal announcements.

Boom Natural Immunity


CDC and Johns Hopkins released a study on natural immunity and it provides years long lasting immunity . Its time for public policy to recognize the 50 million previously infected people don't need vaccines .
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