UCF head coach Gus Malzahn recaps Saturday's practice and situational scrimmage. The Knights have two more practices next week before culminating with the spring game on April 10.
Opening statement:
"Had another good scrimmage today. Think we went 92 plays. Let everybody play. Before the scrimmage, we went live field goal, field goal block again. That was good for us. We also had some plays on third down that were not a part of the scrimmage, before it started. Just to get some extra work offensively and defensively. Overall, I thought we got better from last Saturday. We had some long drives that really gave us a look to see how our offense is going to respond after it's play seven and eight. Defensively, same thing. A lot of good information today. We've got one week left in spring. We'll practice Monday, Wednesday and be off Friday. Then we'll put the ball down in front of our crowd on Saturday. Overall, I'm pleased with where we're at."
How much have you installed offensively?
"Not as much as we normally would have at this time. We were kind of behind the eight-ball when we got here. We weren't able to have our normal meetings. Our normal walk-throughs. But I think our guys have responded very well. I think they picked up the foundation offensively and defensively and special teams so far."
From day one to where you are now, what is the conditioning level?
"It's better. Our guys are trying. They're fighting through. Each practice we've gotten better. That's the key. Like I said last week, the whole key to this spring is they know the foundation, offensively, defensively and special teams, so they can work on the summer on their own and actually get better instead of developing bad habits. I think we're in a good spot with that so far."
What have you seen from Dillon Gabriel over the last three weeks?
"He's getting better every practice. He played extremely well today. He made a couple wow throws. Had a touchdown run too. He's starting to settle in. Been very impressed."
How helpful are the situational things, like third downs?
"It's real good. So we started out the scrimmage with what I call bump tempo. We weren't tackling to the ground. We went third and three, third and five, third and seven, third and nine. Those types of situations. Then it was more of a situational scrimmage today. We started the ball at the 50 yard line and let both groups, ones against ones, two against twos and go with it. Then we went plus-25, then we backed up -1 and the rest of the scrimmage put the ball at the 30 yard line and just played. Within the scrimmage, we kicked field goals and we punted like we did last week. I think our kicker made a plus 50-yard kick on time. May have been 54 or 55 which I thought was really good."
You ended the scrimmage with another kick that went off the post.
"It's trying to create situations. Pressure situations. How are we going to respond. That was part of it. Had the whole team up. He made it at the end. I thought that was good. We'll continue to do that after practice."
Quarterback Mikey Keene got a lot of reps today. How is he doing?
"He's been impressive. He's picking things up. He's got some good leadership skills too. That's really what stood out to me. He's got a good skill set too. He's done some good things."
What have you seen from the running backs?
"I think the running backs have improved each practice. We're a little banged up right now. We've got a big scrimmage next Saturday, so we'll have to get healed up before we get to next Saturday. That's probably the only concern I have. I do think they're continuing to improve. They're all a little bit different. I think a lot of times that helps too."
What are you hoping to accomplish in the final week of spring ball?
"Just clean everything up. We've got good information from a player standpoint about position wise. We kind of mixed and match a few players in certain positions, just to see how they responded. We'll have a personnel meeting tomorrow and kind of put the pieces of the puzzles of what we know right now. Give them a foundation for the summer that we talked about."
Has anyone had a particularly good spring from where they started to where they are now?
"I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll get a lot more specific at the end of spring. I don't want to leave anybody out because I think there's a lot of people that have come a long way in a short period of time. That's really what it's about. Overall, I like our attitude."
Do you feel like the guys in a short time made the most of every moment?
"I think they have. It was probably a shock to their system, the first practice or two. I think we're probably a little bit different from how they've operated before. They've adapted. I think they're wanting to be coached. I think they have a coach me coach mentality so far. Overall, I've been pleased."
We're still dealing with pandemic and guys are in and out because of COVID. Will players have an opportunity to get vaccinated like they've been doing in the NBA and MLB?
"Eventually they'll all have an opportunity. Our staff, we had some that wanted to and some didn't want to. We've done that a couple weeks ago."
How has Jaylon Griffin looked out there?
"I think he's one of those guys that you can tell he's getting more confident each practice. He's got a skill set. He's got a skill set that can make plays. He's a little banged up today. I think he fought through that. I was impressed with that. He's a guy I think can help us."
What is a spring game format like with you? Is there a typical way you go about things?
"It will really be a ones against twos type deal. We'll have a gold group and a black group. We'll put the ball down and play. It'll be regular football. Field goals will be three and touchdowns will be six and extra points will be one. Let our guys play in front of a crowd. I know our guys are real excited about that. We just need to make sure our running backs are healthy and we've got enough of them to play."
What feedback are you getting from Travis Williams about defense?
"I think Travis is pleased overall with the guys. Effort, energy. He's real big on running the ball and tackling. I think we have a lot of information defensively that he can put the pieces of the puzzle of this last week before we get to our spring game."
How do you walk the line of playing guys and keeping them healthy?
"It is a fine line, but this is a unique situation. We're just getting here. Everybody has an equal opportunity. We want to put the ball down and see who can play. Who needs a little work. There's no way around that right now. Overall, I'll say this: I think overall we've stayed fairly healthy during the spring. It's just the one position group I'm a little worried about. It's been a very physical spring. We've gotten after it. But that was by design."
More physical than you expected?
"No. We expected it. We had that planned. Let's put the ball down and see who can play. We've got to evaluate. We're playing catch up. Our staff, we hired them in nine days. We had to hit the ground recruiting and develop relationships best we could with the players. We didn't have the luxury of going back to last year and watching every year. Let's have everybody start from day one and let everybody earn what they get. I think that's been good too."
Tackling has been good?
"I think tackling overall has been good. We'll have to see once we get to play number five, six, seven in drives, guys probably missed some tackles. That's about being in shape and getting used to play."
What can Ryan O'Keefe do for you at wide receiver? Looked like he was getting the ball in space.
"Yeah. He's got a skill set. There's no doubt. He's got courage. That's what I like. He practices extremely hard. I think he's got a really good upside. He played last year, but I think he's ready to take that next step for Saturdays next year."
Jake Hescock was back out there today. What does he provide the tight end room?
"Experience. There's nothing like experience. You can just tell he's played. He's got that confidence. Really helps stabilize everything when he's out there."
Final Four is today. Masters next week. Opening Day for MLB was the other day. What's your favorite sport other than football?
"Golf. That Masters is pretty cool. I forgot when it was, to be honest with you. I did know the Final Four was somewhere in the next few days. I've been pretty wrapped up with this. Yeah, once we get done with Saturday I'll flip the switch and watch the Masters on Sunday."
Got a favorite golfer? Or like to watch?
"I like to play. This college football is hurting my golf game. When I coached high school it was pretty good. I like to play. I'll play some this spring and summer."
