"UCF Sports Today with George O'Leary" aired today at 1:30 p.m. on My65. I just finished watching the DVR recording.
UCF is coming off a 45-31 road loss at Tulane. Marc Daniels began the show by mentioning how much turnovers hurt UCF in this game.
"They really did. When you have five turnovers for 28 points, and where they occurred. You're putting your defense in tough situations. They have to give up field goals and not touchdowns, and the loss yardage in tackles for losses and sacks, it's not acceptable. We'll get back to the film. Obviously changes have to be made. There wer some good spots, but not enough on either side of the ball, offense or defense."
Marc mentions how UCF got an early lead and how it was a tight game, then a couple plays turned the tide.
"The 62-yard pass completion and we're running with the ball that gets stripped. That would give us the go-ahead score. We allow a touchdown the very next play. You just can't do those things. It was one after another, then two scores right in a row after turnovers. You can't turn it over, you can throw interceptions, and obviously the lost yardage with tackles for losses and sacks, is an issue I'm going to be addressing. We have to establish somewhat of a run game. I give the two young quarterbacks credit. I thought they threw the ball and some young receivers stepped up catching the ball so there were some positives there. The big thing is you've got to stop people when you have the opportunity."
Marc mentions all the young guys playing.
"D'erren Wilson who I said we were going to get on the field and Cam Stewart made some catches. You're looking for the YAC after the catch. They're getting better at it. A little inexperienced. They're catching the balls thrown to them. I thought Tyler Harris did a nice job against the seconds. He threw the ball with accuracy and velocity on the ball and they came up with catches."
On injuries:
"We lost three players in the game. You keep putting younger kids in. Eventually they're going to be really good players. They're a second slow in reaction time. Again, I think some of the young kids are getting better, they're just not getting quick enough once your season starts."
First half highlights are shown. Marc remarks it was a nice TD pass from Bo to Jordan Franks.
"It was. I thought we did some nice things there in the first half. We just can't allow scores like we did defensively. Guys in position to make plays have to make them. That's been the nemesis."
Marc then alludes to Tulane constantly sending pressure.
"They did. I have no issue with them. I think they threw the ball where they were supposed to throw it. It wasn't always accurate but I thought they made some good throws. It's the most throwing a ball we've done in a game. They were playing eight-man front against us so you have to take those throws. I thought both quarterbacks improved from last time out. Some new receivers emerged. They're going to have to because injuries keep happening but it's next batter up."
Can anything be corrected to establish a running game?
"You can disguise it any way you want it, but it comes down to front play. Offensive line play. We've got to sustain blocks. We're on the right people, but not sustaining blocks. That's what I see happening. When you have 12 tackles for losses, that's a lot of tackles for losses as far as penetration is concerned. That goes on the front. They're not sustaining and running their feet on contact. It's no longer an issue of youth. It's an issue whether they can get it done or not."
The OIA "Taking Flight" great pass play was a Holman to Perriman TD in last year's Tulane game.
24-10 at halftime - what was GOL's thoughts to begin the second half?
"I went in and said, 'If they don't score again, we win the game.' That's what I told the team at halftime. Again, just believe in what you see and go do it. Reaction. I thought our support was very poor on the edges and in the run game against them. We have to tackle. It's something we continually work on. The biggest issue is you've got to put the ball in the end zone. We're just offsides or don't snap it on time, and the snaps were poor to begin with. We got that corrected. The biggest issue, when given the time, I thought the quarterbacks were accurate and efficient. They were sending six, seven guys. For the most part, when they delivered on time, it was a completion and a positive play."
On Tyler Harris at QB:
"He did the one thing he hadn't been doing which was get rid of the ball quickly. Before he was holding on to it waiting for the perfect situation. He saw it. You can see the arm strength he does have. Delivered it on time and accurate. The biggest thing is he made quick decisions and was accurate."
On the hurry-up offense, whether that's something they look more to.
"I would. I'm a big believer in tempo and fast tempo. That's what kind of team we should be. You can't always do it, but the biggest thing you'd like to see is that ball snapped before the 18-second count. When we start getting around 12, 10, nine, we're not as efficient."
Second half highlights are shown. The UCF record for a WR for touchdowns in a game in four and D'erren Wilson had three.
"He's the one we talked about last week in getting these younger players on the field. He has great speed. He's starting to get more confident in his ability to catch the ball in crowds. Cam Stewart is the same way. He emerged. The big thing is we've got to find ways to hit them in stride and let them utilize their speed."
Marc asks about the confusing sequence when Tulane ran a play and they stopped it and reviewed the previous play:
"That's what I was asking about. Once the ball is snapped, you can't go back and review. They said that right as the ball was being snapped, they were buzzed down. I question why so late. That should have been buzzed down quicker. Don't do it later. That play should never get off."
GOL also takes issue that they didn't review whether Bo's arm was coming forward on the fumble.
"That's the replay official upstairs. If you're going to review for other plays, that one, the quarterback being hit in a throwing motion, you should always buzz down."
UCF had way more penalties in this game.
"They were lack of discipline on our part. Late hits, stuff you don't do. It was our more experienced guys doing it. Cost us 15 yards, which is a lot. Seven penalties for 60-something yards. They had the same."
Play of the Game was one of the TD passes to D'erren Wilson.
"The biggest adjustment for (a young receiver) is reading coverage... I think between D'erren and Cam and Tristan, I think there's a future there. They've got to get more experience there and understand the speed of the game."
The "Inside UCF Football" segment is about Sean Beckton.
"He's earned his paycheck this year. He has a young group out there we've got to get right. We're starting to get some of the right people on the field. You're only as a good as the players you have. At times you'd like to see them play better and Sean does too. Given time, those young receivers are going to be very good players at UCF."
Marc makes a comment about UCF's history at receiver and losing the talent from last year.
"We lost all the talent last year and stuff. That's the issue right now. We had to replace half the field at both ends. That seems to be our problem. Wide receiver and secondary, getting kids to stay off the injury list."
On areas of focus this week:
"Just work on some fundamentals to keep improving. We're still lacking in some areas if we're going tohave any success at all. Secondary, offensive line play, areas that are a concern to me. Finishing a game and being productive."
On the QBs and whether a change at starter is possible:
"We'll look and see who is available and make a decision on who has the best opportunity to get us a win from a consistency standpoint, from a less M.A. (missed assignment) standpoint and from a quality standpoint. That's what we've got to get done. Hopefully everybody is available and we make a decision on what we feel is best for the team."
On UConn:
"I had a chance to watch the game on Friday. It was on ESPN. They're solid on defense. New offensive coordinator come in and you can see the difference in the offense. Defense is what they've been in the past. Solid. They don't give up the big plays. They keep the ball in front of them and tackle very well."
One last word on the week and the focus on getting better:
"You got to see who's going to line up. Tomorrow I'll know based on the injury report. What can we muster up from an offensive, defensive game plan, and continue to stress the fundamentals of football. Being productive at the position you play. The easy thing is finding fault with everything right now. It's finding the positives of things and go after those and make sure you reassure the kids. If you do these things right, good things are going to happen. I've made a big point of doing that myself. Luck and speed go hand in hand."
UCF is coming off a 45-31 road loss at Tulane. Marc Daniels began the show by mentioning how much turnovers hurt UCF in this game.
"They really did. When you have five turnovers for 28 points, and where they occurred. You're putting your defense in tough situations. They have to give up field goals and not touchdowns, and the loss yardage in tackles for losses and sacks, it's not acceptable. We'll get back to the film. Obviously changes have to be made. There wer some good spots, but not enough on either side of the ball, offense or defense."
Marc mentions how UCF got an early lead and how it was a tight game, then a couple plays turned the tide.
"The 62-yard pass completion and we're running with the ball that gets stripped. That would give us the go-ahead score. We allow a touchdown the very next play. You just can't do those things. It was one after another, then two scores right in a row after turnovers. You can't turn it over, you can throw interceptions, and obviously the lost yardage with tackles for losses and sacks, is an issue I'm going to be addressing. We have to establish somewhat of a run game. I give the two young quarterbacks credit. I thought they threw the ball and some young receivers stepped up catching the ball so there were some positives there. The big thing is you've got to stop people when you have the opportunity."
Marc mentions all the young guys playing.
"D'erren Wilson who I said we were going to get on the field and Cam Stewart made some catches. You're looking for the YAC after the catch. They're getting better at it. A little inexperienced. They're catching the balls thrown to them. I thought Tyler Harris did a nice job against the seconds. He threw the ball with accuracy and velocity on the ball and they came up with catches."
On injuries:
"We lost three players in the game. You keep putting younger kids in. Eventually they're going to be really good players. They're a second slow in reaction time. Again, I think some of the young kids are getting better, they're just not getting quick enough once your season starts."
First half highlights are shown. Marc remarks it was a nice TD pass from Bo to Jordan Franks.
"It was. I thought we did some nice things there in the first half. We just can't allow scores like we did defensively. Guys in position to make plays have to make them. That's been the nemesis."
Marc then alludes to Tulane constantly sending pressure.
"They did. I have no issue with them. I think they threw the ball where they were supposed to throw it. It wasn't always accurate but I thought they made some good throws. It's the most throwing a ball we've done in a game. They were playing eight-man front against us so you have to take those throws. I thought both quarterbacks improved from last time out. Some new receivers emerged. They're going to have to because injuries keep happening but it's next batter up."
Can anything be corrected to establish a running game?
"You can disguise it any way you want it, but it comes down to front play. Offensive line play. We've got to sustain blocks. We're on the right people, but not sustaining blocks. That's what I see happening. When you have 12 tackles for losses, that's a lot of tackles for losses as far as penetration is concerned. That goes on the front. They're not sustaining and running their feet on contact. It's no longer an issue of youth. It's an issue whether they can get it done or not."
The OIA "Taking Flight" great pass play was a Holman to Perriman TD in last year's Tulane game.
24-10 at halftime - what was GOL's thoughts to begin the second half?
"I went in and said, 'If they don't score again, we win the game.' That's what I told the team at halftime. Again, just believe in what you see and go do it. Reaction. I thought our support was very poor on the edges and in the run game against them. We have to tackle. It's something we continually work on. The biggest issue is you've got to put the ball in the end zone. We're just offsides or don't snap it on time, and the snaps were poor to begin with. We got that corrected. The biggest issue, when given the time, I thought the quarterbacks were accurate and efficient. They were sending six, seven guys. For the most part, when they delivered on time, it was a completion and a positive play."
On Tyler Harris at QB:
"He did the one thing he hadn't been doing which was get rid of the ball quickly. Before he was holding on to it waiting for the perfect situation. He saw it. You can see the arm strength he does have. Delivered it on time and accurate. The biggest thing is he made quick decisions and was accurate."
On the hurry-up offense, whether that's something they look more to.
"I would. I'm a big believer in tempo and fast tempo. That's what kind of team we should be. You can't always do it, but the biggest thing you'd like to see is that ball snapped before the 18-second count. When we start getting around 12, 10, nine, we're not as efficient."
Second half highlights are shown. The UCF record for a WR for touchdowns in a game in four and D'erren Wilson had three.
"He's the one we talked about last week in getting these younger players on the field. He has great speed. He's starting to get more confident in his ability to catch the ball in crowds. Cam Stewart is the same way. He emerged. The big thing is we've got to find ways to hit them in stride and let them utilize their speed."
Marc asks about the confusing sequence when Tulane ran a play and they stopped it and reviewed the previous play:
"That's what I was asking about. Once the ball is snapped, you can't go back and review. They said that right as the ball was being snapped, they were buzzed down. I question why so late. That should have been buzzed down quicker. Don't do it later. That play should never get off."
GOL also takes issue that they didn't review whether Bo's arm was coming forward on the fumble.
"That's the replay official upstairs. If you're going to review for other plays, that one, the quarterback being hit in a throwing motion, you should always buzz down."
UCF had way more penalties in this game.
"They were lack of discipline on our part. Late hits, stuff you don't do. It was our more experienced guys doing it. Cost us 15 yards, which is a lot. Seven penalties for 60-something yards. They had the same."
Play of the Game was one of the TD passes to D'erren Wilson.
"The biggest adjustment for (a young receiver) is reading coverage... I think between D'erren and Cam and Tristan, I think there's a future there. They've got to get more experience there and understand the speed of the game."
The "Inside UCF Football" segment is about Sean Beckton.
"He's earned his paycheck this year. He has a young group out there we've got to get right. We're starting to get some of the right people on the field. You're only as a good as the players you have. At times you'd like to see them play better and Sean does too. Given time, those young receivers are going to be very good players at UCF."
Marc makes a comment about UCF's history at receiver and losing the talent from last year.
"We lost all the talent last year and stuff. That's the issue right now. We had to replace half the field at both ends. That seems to be our problem. Wide receiver and secondary, getting kids to stay off the injury list."
On areas of focus this week:
"Just work on some fundamentals to keep improving. We're still lacking in some areas if we're going tohave any success at all. Secondary, offensive line play, areas that are a concern to me. Finishing a game and being productive."
On the QBs and whether a change at starter is possible:
"We'll look and see who is available and make a decision on who has the best opportunity to get us a win from a consistency standpoint, from a less M.A. (missed assignment) standpoint and from a quality standpoint. That's what we've got to get done. Hopefully everybody is available and we make a decision on what we feel is best for the team."
On UConn:
"I had a chance to watch the game on Friday. It was on ESPN. They're solid on defense. New offensive coordinator come in and you can see the difference in the offense. Defense is what they've been in the past. Solid. They don't give up the big plays. They keep the ball in front of them and tackle very well."
One last word on the week and the focus on getting better:
"You got to see who's going to line up. Tomorrow I'll know based on the injury report. What can we muster up from an offensive, defensive game plan, and continue to stress the fundamentals of football. Being productive at the position you play. The easy thing is finding fault with everything right now. It's finding the positives of things and go after those and make sure you reassure the kids. If you do these things right, good things are going to happen. I've made a big point of doing that myself. Luck and speed go hand in hand."
