Nov. 25, 2011

Recap |  Final Stats |  Notes |  Photo Gallery  |  AP Photo Gallery 

Read John Denton's Knights Insider |  Twitter |  Facebook

By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF head coach George O'Leary met with the media following the Knights' 31-14 victory over UTEP Friday in Orlando.

Head Coach George O'Leary
Nov. 25 vs. UTEP

Opening statement...
"I'm happy for the senior class on senior night, their last game they go out winners. I told the team at the end of the game that I thought we played hard all year. We weren't as successful as we would've liked to be but I do think we played well, just came up a possession or a stop short each of those games. I thought the kids went out today and executed on offense, made big plays on defense minus the end of the fourth quarter."

On what could have been...
"Basically, I thought there were six games that one play away in each direction could have changed the game. It was a tough season as far as expectation level. I was concerned last February about the youth of the football team but I thought (as the year went on) the younger kids got better. Except the SMU game, we could've won every game."

On Latavius Murray's outstanding game...
"Over 200 yards. He's a tough kid to tackle, makes defenders miss. I wish he would've made that one tough catch down the sideline where he jumped up and the guy ripped it out. He had a good night. I think any time you rush for over 200 yards it's a good night."

On the team looking ahead...
"I thought we were ready to play every game this year except for Dallas. I think we grow and learn from these tough losses. We only lose 12 kids, three on offense and two on defense for the whole team. There is a lot of work to be done in the offseason but a great nucleus to work with coming back."

On the UCF quarterbacks...
"(Jeff) Godfrey went a couple series and then I put (Blake) Bortles in, giving us the best opportunity to win the game. Every college Division I has a first string and a second-string guy, but the other guy had better be ready to play because they are a (twisted) ankle away. I don't get overly concerned if someone's feelings are hurt one way or the other. You have to deal with that at this level and you have to compete. I wish we had the same competition at every position."