Knights enjoy slate of noon games

UCF football coaches don’t mind playing early games on Saturday and that’s a good thing considering the team has another noon contest against Houston this weekend.

Two of the Knights’ three American Athletic Conference games so far have been noon games, with the exception being UCF’s game against Temple Oct. 15.

“I love it, I’d rather play that thing at 9 a.m., let’s get this thing moving,” UCF defensive coordinator Erik

Chinander said. “Some of these 7:30 p.m. kicks is in my bedtime by the time the second half starts, but I love playing in the day. I think it’s a great deal.”

The Knights are well adjusted to waking up early given they practice in the mornings. Offensive coordinator Troy Walters agreed he liked the team’s earlier slate of game so far this season.

“We got a lot of noon games, so it’ll be noon our time. Get up, hit the field and get ready to go. And after you win, you get home a little earlier so it’s always an advantage to play early, get home and get some rest and get ready for the next week,” Walters said.

Chinander said he didn’t understand why some observers call UCF a bend-don’t-break defense when asked about his group’s style Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m not sure where we’re at right now, I think we’re No. 33 or something,” he said. “Usually that’s not bend-don’t-break. I think we got off the field when we weren’t supposed to.”

Next game: UCF at Houston, noon Saturday, ESPNU