The Central Florida Knights are hoping that the 2010 gridiron campaign will get off to a comfortable start on Saturday evening against a foe that appears to be overmatched. The FCS (division 1-AA) level South Dakota Coyotes will take the field in Orlando for what is designed as a tuneup game for the Knights.
South Dakota will be facing an FBS (division 1-A) program for the first time since 1984. Head coach Ed Meierkort has guided the Coyotes to a 44-23 record since taking over at South Dakota in 2004. He has been on hand for the school's transition to the FCS level. After going 5-5 in 2009, the Coyotes must establish a new starting quarterback to run the offense in 2010.
Junior Dante Warren will be under center for the Coyotes on Saturday night. He will be making his first collegiate start. In his career, Warren has attempted just 62 passes in limited action. Warren will be aided by a solid running back. Junior Chris Ganious has rushed for more than 750 yards in each of the last two seasons. Overall, the South Dakota offense returns seven starters from last season.
The club's defense has five starters returning. The unit was a respectable group in 2009. While the Coyotes allowed a combined total of 114 points against Northern Iowa and Cal Poly, the defense held its other eight opponents to 24 points or less.
Calabrese still has something to prove
UCF junior quarterback Rob Calabrese is set to open the year as the club's starting signal-caller. However, his status as the starter doesn't appear to be secure. Freshman Jeff Godfrey has mounted enough of a challenge at the position to also earn some playing time in the opener. While Calabrese has attempted more than 200 passes for the Knights, he has completed fewer than half of his throws. Calabrese did show some improvement in 2009 but isn't assured of keeping Godfrey on the sidelines when stronger opponents line up against Central Florida.
While Calabrese is hearing some footsteps from the emerging freshman out of Miami, he isn't backing down from the competition. "We really push each other," Calabrese said. "I think it makes you better when you have somebody there making you get better, and I think both of us will be better quarterbacks because of it."
South Dakota Coyotes at CENTRAL FLORIDA KNIGHTS
When: Saturday, September 4, 6 PM
Where: BH Networks Stadium
TV: None
Radio: 740 WYGM-AM
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