Photo courtesy of UCF Athletics

Knights look to put on a display in their season opener on Thursday

It’s officially game week at UCF, and the First Bounce is now just a few days away.

The Knights are gearing up for their home opener against Bethune-Cookman University at the Acrisure Bounce House on Thursday.

Kickoff will mark the 18th matchup between the two programs, with UCF leading the series 12-5 since their first matchup back in 1981.

After a 5-7 season for the Knights last year in the first season of head coach Scott Frost’s return to the program, they look to turn the page and make a statement this year.

Frost said in a Monday media availability that the biggest emphasis for the group is to get out of ‘camp mode’ and limit mistakes on all sides of the ball.

“We’ve been in practice mode for a long time, and it’s time to flip the page and be in game mode,” Frost said. “I think the big test for us is to make sure it’s a really clean game with not a lot of mistakes and penalties.”

Penalties were a focal point around the coaching staff and the players all offseason.

Redshirt senior quarterback Alonza Barnett III emphasized coach Frost’s message of clean and fast football while also noting that in week one, those kinks always seem to be present.

“We just want to play a clean and fast brand of football,” Barnett said. “A lot of teams lose the game before they win the game and for us, we want to keep the mistakes to a minimum.”

“The guys around me have made it easy on me,” Barnett said. “Their ability to make spectacular catches, great blocking, the ability to take a five yard run forty yards or even to the house.”

In terms of setting a foundation, Barnett said the first game and the last game don’t define a team’s identity. However, the best team is the one that goes week in and week out, and their execution is what it’s all about.

On the other side of the ball, the defense has emphasized two things all offseason—the replacements for Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly, as well as turnovers.

Senior defensive back Antione Jackson said the secondary has some things to prove this season, revolving around taking the ball away.

“We were like a hundredth last year with turnovers, so that’s been a big emphasis,” Jackson said. “We just want as many as possible and keep our offense on the field; that’s how you win ball games.”

Frost highlighted redshirt junior edge rusher Isaiah Nixon as the main guy that is expected to make a big jump this season at the position.

Along with Nixon, Frost expects a plethora of his other guys to factor in at the position, including guys like Sincere Edwards and Ken Talley.

As far as injuries go, Frost mentioned a couple that fans may want to keep an eye on.

Frost said Akron transfer edge rusher Bruno Dall will not be available, and game-time decisions will be made on defensive tackle RJ Jackson and wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr.

With the energy building up and certainly rising as the clock winds down, the Knights look to put on a display in an electric environment come Thursday at 7 p.m.