Special teams ready to hammer

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Motivation is key for every group on the football field, and coaches often are looking for new ways to get the most out of their players. Last season during their near-BCS run, Rutgers' "chopping wood" talisman and philosophy became the talk of the Big East Conference when the Scarlet Knights upset Louisville.

Thanks to assistant Dave Huxtable, the UCF Knights have a similar motivation technique this fall for the special teams. Earlier this week a metal black and gold sign stamped "Hammer Down" was hung just inside the gates at UCF's practice fields, complete with a mallet-style hammer resting on two hooks.

Huxtable said the sign is to remind the special-teams unit of the importance of "hammering down" and maximizing their role.
Kyle Hightower : Orlando Sentinel