Knights seek full intensity

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If there is one thing you always can count on from UCF Coach George O'Leary, it's his simplicity.

While some coaches change things up in their pregame address to their team, O'Leary's speeches this season all have ended with the same parting shot: "Play hard. Play smart. Play together. Play to win."

But at 2-6 overall and 1-3 in Conference USA going into Saturday's matchup with East Carolina, the Golden Knights' recent dreary play has added a silent, fifth bullet to their coach's pregame doctrine: Play to save face.

This time a year ago, UCF was in the driver's seat of Conference USA's East Division and nearing the end of one of the best one-year turnarounds in Division I-A history.
Kyle Hightower: Sentinel Staff Writer