UCF wide receiver Blake Tiralosi says he was so focused on making sure he was running the right route that he didn't automatically realize the significance of his first collegiate catch in the first quarter against Furman.
"Honestly, I was just focused getting where I was supposed to be," Tiralosi said. "Saw the ball coming and saw my opportunity to make a play... It was definitely a pretty cool experience. Kind of a weight lifted off my shoulders."
The redshirt junior ended the day as UCF's leading receiver, hauling in five catches for 35 yards.
"I'm happy for him," Coach George O'Leary said. "He came out and made five catches. He had such a good preseason I put him on scholarship. He made the most of it."
Tiralosi, a redshirt junior, joined the program in 2012 as a preferred walk-on from Orlando's Bishop Moore High School. The former high school running back maintained that position his first year before switching to receiver in 2013.
Knowing there were plenty of open spots in the receiving corps, Tiralosi worked hard this spring and preseason to make a name for himself and he did just that, earning a spot on the travel team.
"That definitely motivated me," Tiralosi said. "Obviously I had the older guys to look up to and learn from. They really showed me the way. When I got the chance I tried to take the opportunity."
UCF will be looking for their first win of the season and in the series when they travel to South Carolina this Saturday. It's the second installment of a home-and-home series. The 2013 meeting in Orlando, a 28-25 USC win, was the Knights' only loss that season.
"We're just trying to get that first win and get back on track," Tiralosi said. "Get our momentum going for conference."
