Rob Calabrese looks to repeat; Jeff Godfrey waits in the wings

In his seventh season at UCF, head coach George O'Leary has  a chance for his first 2-0 start come Saturday.

The Knights (1-0) will try to emulate the success from 2007, when they defeated NC State 25-23 in Raleigh, N.C., to open up the season.

In that game, former running back Kevin Smith scored on the game's opening play from scrimmage with an 80-yard rush.

Saturday night's matchup, scheduled for 7:30, is the second meeting between the two programs and the first at Bright House Networks Stadium.

UCF blew by South Dakota in the season opener Saturday. Junior quarterback Rob Calabrese had a career night — 12 of 15 for 176 yards and a touchdown — putting together the best game he's had in a UCF uniform.

Calabrese and freshman quarterback Jeff Godfrey battled for the starting job throughout the preseason, with Calabrese getting the edge over the Miami recruit.

After his strong performance against South Dakota, Calabrese has made sure the "Jeff Godfrey question" still has no answer.

Godfrey came off the bench to throw for 65 yards and a touchdown in the opener, and he'll be ready to go off the bench against the Wolfpack if Calabrese reverts to his '09 ways.

It's too early to tell what the long-term plan is with Calabrese, but Godfrey will eventually take the reins of the Knights. It's just when exactly the transition will take place that is still up in the air.

Although the Knights scored on six of their eight drives, O'Leary has stressed the team had to improve this week in practice.

"We have a lot to cover with them," O'Leary said, regarding the offense, defense and special teams.

"You congratulate them on a win, but you also have to remind [them] that we have to improve in certain areas if we're going to beat teams throughout the season."

The defense, which started two freshmen at defensive tackle, faced a challenge in the first half with South Dakota rushing for 89 yards.

UCF shifts its attention to the NC State offense. Junior quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-7 win against Western Carolina.

"I was watching film (Monday), and he threw a ball from his 15-yard line to a receiver in stride to like the opposite 30," said UCF outside linebacker Derrick Hallman. "So you know he's an extremely good quarterback, and he has some talented receivers to throw it to."

Wilson threw for more than 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2009, including five against Florida State and four against Big East champion Pittsburgh.

The secondary will be tested by junior wide receiver T.J. Graham, who had six receptions for 96 yards last week.

This marks O'Leary's ninth meeting against NC State. He is 7-1 against NC State dating back to his time at Georgia Tech.