UCF Looks For First Win Saturday In 2014 Home Opener

By  //  September 16, 2014

KNIGHTS HOST Bethune-Cookman IN HOME OPENER

ABOVE VIDEO: The Knights said they’re hoping to gain momentum this season with a win in their home opener against Bethune-Cookman.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – After two tough contests away from Bright House Networks Stadium, the Knights (0-2) will play their home opener on a hunt for their first win of the season against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-0) Saturday.

Rannell-Hall-350-2
“Being able to get our first win this week will get the momentum going for the season and hopefully towards a conference championship,” said senior wide receiver Rannell Hall.

This is the first time any of the players on the current roster have started the regular season 0-2. Needless to say, the Knights are extremely motivated to earn their first win of the season.

“Being able to get our first win this week will get the momentum going for the season and hopefully towards a conference championship,” said senior wide receiver Rannell Hall.

“This is a big week,” said senior linebacker Troy Gray. “Getting this win is definitely on our minds and that’s how we have to practice this week, going to get a win.”

Even though the Knights are playing an FCS team, the Wildats are one of the top FCS teams in the nation. Bethune-Cookman is currently ranked No. 13 in the FCS Coaches Poll and have won at least a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship three times in the last four years.

George O'Leary
George O’Leary

“They won the conference last year and went 10-3. I think Coach [Brian] Jenkins does a great job with them,” said UCF head coach George O’Leary.

Playing a tough non-conference schedule is something Coach O’Leary takes a lot of pride in and feels the competition will make the Knights better. Even though the Knights are facing an FCS team, the team looks at Saturday’s contest as the start of their third one-game season of the year.

“We’re going to have to play stingy on defense,” said O’Leary. “Defensively they mix up their coverages and basically play a seven, eight man front. They have a bunch of experience back.”

To hear more of what Coach O’Leary and the seniors had to say checkout the video above and below hear the complete audio from each of their press conferences from Monday afternoon.