UCF Press Release

November 15, 2002

ORLANDO - The Golden Knights concluded a somewhat interesting week of practice on Thursday as they prepare to take on Kent State at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday. UCF was hoping to enter this weekend's game against the Golden Flashes holding the upper hand in its quest for the MAC East crown. Instead they will look to put together an end-of-the season run and look for help from some other teams

Similar to the rest of the week's practice, Thursday's practice was conducted in helmets and shoulder pads and served a dual purpose. It allowed the team to work at a high level of speed and also enabled some players to continue to heal injuries while getting back up to speed. One player looking to make up for lost time is offensive lineman Mike Mabry. After suffering an ankle injury on Saturday against Buffalo, he returned to practice on Wednesday. The senior knows how to work himself back into game shape and is certain he will be ready.

"It (ankle) is getting better everyday," stated Mabry. "Darryl Conway and the rest of the training staff have done a great job in getting me in the training room and doing the things I need to do to get ready. It is a little painful, but it is something I will have to deal with."
Mabry, who lines up at center, serves as an on-field quarterback to the rest of the offensive line as he calls blocking schemes up front. Surprisingly, Mabry feels even more prepared after his time off the field.

"I think I have watched more film this week then I ever have," added Mabry. "I felt like I had to pick up on some extra things because I was not practicing." Mabry further added that "I've seen every snap in practice this week and been watching Butcher (Adam, backup center) and Ashkinaz's (Dave, starting guard) calls making sure I know our schemes, besides having been around the offense for a while I know what we are trying to accomplish."

Practices this week featured limited contact with the players going in just shells, which definitely lifted the mood at practices.

"I thought it was a great call by Kruz (coach Mike Kruczek), everyone was a little beat up and it always helps the morale when you keep the pads off. It seems everyone is a little more motivated."
Mabry has been an anchor on the offensive line and has missed very little practice or game time. His down time did help him realize one thing, "I didn't realize how long practice was, the first time I went out this week it seemed long. It was real tough not being out there."

Mabry and the rest of his teammates will take on Kent State at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, with a 6 p.m. kickoff scheduled.

Other Notes:
Redshirt freshman Darcy Johnson was recognized as the team's Big Stick Award winner after practice on Thursday. He was recognized for his efforts on special teams and was presented the award by last week's winner Asante Samuel. Johnson will lead the Knights out of the tunnel at the Citrus Bowl prior to kickoff.

UCF has a pair of senior receivers in the top 30 in the nation in receiving yards per game. Dough Gabriel currently holds the 15th spot with 100.1 yards a game, while Jimmy Fryzel, who has gone for 272 yards the past two games, is 30th with 82.8 yards a game.

Sunshine Network and UCF are partnering to add to the network’s schedule live television coverage, produced by Sunshine, of the UCF at Miami (OH) football game Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1:00 p.m. (ET) for viewers in the Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne and Tampa/St. Petersburg television markets. The remainder of the state will join the game in progress at the conclusion of the 12 noon ACC Game of the Week featuring North Carolina @ Duke (approximately 3:30 p.m.).

Calling the action for Sunshine Network’s production of the UCF game will be David Steele and Brady Ackerman. The game marks the fifth UCF football game televised on Sunshine Network this season, along with four MAC Game of the Week telecasts.

 

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