The blue and red flashing lights from the police cars illuminated Gemini Boulevard this evening. Masses of people walking in groups and families fill the sidewalks, on the way to their cars and homes, after seeing UCF successfully debut it’s 2010 season. I sit in my ford Taurus station wagon forging my way down Alafaya trail like Jonathan Davis did to the South Dakota Coyotes defense. Listening to Redman as I get on 417 for the long drive back to Davenport, I reflect on the day I’ve had and what I learned at UCF.
Before I’d even left for the stadium my nerves where shot. I had just been the most violently ill I’d been this decade on Thursday night. It was a horrible ill that I will further discuss another time but needless to say, I didn’t feel 100-percent yet. The butterflies in my stomach churn and bubble as I check my directions and the contents of my pockets: phone, cigarettes, lighter, money for the eleven-ty tolls on 417 (I highly recommend a Sun-Pass) making sure I’m ready for UCF’s opening day.
As I drove around Gemini Boulevard searching for my garage, I surveyed the crowd marching into the Brighthouse networks stadium all black and gold from their game jerseys to their fake novelty afros. Parking my car I looked for the shuttle to the stadium to no avail, I’d decided to walk with the fans to get more of the feeling. These fans had come to party and rightfully so; I entered the media room for the first time at UCF to watch the opening drive for the Knights result in a 10 play, 75 yard romp down the field, capped off with a Jonathan Davis 1 yard touchdown run.
I know what you’re thinking: Jonathan Davis the lead singer for Korn plays Halfback for the UCF Knights? I know, threw me for a loop too. Even though it would be the only touchdown JD would score, his 9 consecutive carries in the 2nd quarter would have me thinking I was watching game tape on him.
Quarterback junior Rob Calabrese beat out freshman Jeffrey Godfrey this preseason and showed why, going 9 for 9 in the first half with 1 touchdown. Calabrese looked ambitious and efficient even if it was against a seemingly sluggish South Dakota secondary. Even Jeffrey Godfrey popped his cherry, procuring his first career touchdown pass to Sophomore Quincy McDuffie.
The Knights looked dominant on both sides of the ball, their defense looks big, quick, and jumpy. I love when outside linebackers and cornerbacks are flying through the air, swatting footballs to the ground. The only thing the Coyotes did well was utilizing their punter Cole Zwiefelhofer. That’s a fun name to say, I hope he goes pro.
By the end of the 3rd quarter the score was 31-7 in favor of UCF, the knights had 22 first downs compared to South Dakotas 8 and it was all over except for the screaming. If the Coyotes could have tapped out they would have, when I play Madden with my cousin we have a mercy rule and this game would have been stopped. The end of the game would come after one more UCF touchdown and put a cherry on top of this cake of a game. Final score 38-7.
I had a spectacular time, ate 2 free Hotdogs, chicken strips, and potato chips. Next week UCF plays North Carolina State and now I know my way around I’m going to slip my way a little closer to the action. Stay tuned same UCF time, same UCF station.
