As the UCF players emerged onto the sun-drenched turf of FBC Mortgage Stadium on Saturday, an eager crowd of several hundred friends, family and loyal fans filled one section of the stands.
Drifting clouds partially obscured the sky, but the heat was unmistakable, soaring into the mid-90s. Many spectators fashioned makeshift hats from towels draped over their heads to combat the oppressive warmth, providing slight relief from the relentless sun.
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Corey Chapman and 9-year-old son O’Neill camped inside one of the tunnels. Both were decked out in Knights gear, holding a football as they tried to beat the heat while getting their first look at new coach Scott Frost and the 2025 team.
“I emailed the AD [athletics director] twice to tell him to get Scott Frost here,” said Chapman. “I’m a UCF grad and many grads are excited to have him back here, especially UCF, where we’ve seen a lot of turnover. Everybody is always trying to jump to bigger schools. I want to have somebody that stays long-term. Someone who can grow that family atmosphere.”
Saturday’s event — the first of two open spring practices —had a strong family feel. After the practice, friends and family were invited to a barbeque in the Nicholson Fieldhouse.
“A lot of the guys are having fun and they are enjoying what we’re doing right now. So it’s good to have the family around,” Frost said. “We’re going to have a barbecue with them, so we’ll get a chance as coaches to meet some parents and siblings. That’s always a positive. I want this to feel like a family, and they’re welcome anytime.”
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“It gives us an extra juice and simulates as close you can to game day,” said running back Myles Montgomery.
Several former Knights players, such as receiver Gabe Davis and quarterback DJ Mack, were also on hand. Both spent time catching up with Frost and quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton on the field.
UCF held a two-hour practice that included team drills and 11-on-11 work, during which the offense aimed to outshine the defense.
The Knights now are more than halfway through spring camp, and Frost is looking for more from his young team.
“There’s both good and bad in spring ball,” he explained. “We are installing a lot of new systems, which can challenge the players. Mistakes are expected. The key thing I’m observing is who shows up ready to compete, be tough, and fight. We have some of that in our team, but I don’t think we have enough. So we will continue to push them and help them understand our expectations. We have a long way to go.”
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Frost believes the defense got the better of the offense on this day.
Linebacker Andrew Harris was very active, putting several quarterback pressures on Dylan Rizk, but it was his pick-6 that drew a cheer from the crowd and pumped up the defense.
“I love Andrew; his locker is next to mine, so every day he’s like, ‘Dang, I need my play,’” said cornerback Chasen Johnson. “It’s great seeing my teammate make a play like that.”
Defensive back Nicholas Antoine had an interception against quarterback Tayven Jackson.
The offense also had its share of plays with tight end Dylan Wade, a transfer from Maryland, making a one-handed touchdown catch from quarterback Jacurri Brown, who added a touchdown run on some red-zone work.
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Montgomery scored a rushing touchdown early in the practice, drawing cheers from the assembled crowd.
The best plays were when all the running backs got in the end zone, down there in the red zone,” said Montgomery. “Every running back got in the end zone today; that was great.”
UCF has six more practices over the next two weeks, with another open practice scheduled for Friday.
“As a coach, you want everything to be perfect immediately,” Frost said. “What I do know is we have a lot of terrific kids who want to be good. We’ve got a lot of speed. We’re not there yet. We’re a long way from being there. But I think back to 2016, our first scrimmage in the spring. I was discouraged coming off that field. We couldn’t do anything.
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“We’re doing some good things. There’s just a level of speed and precision to execution that has to happen on every single play to make it work and we’re not there yet.”
Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
