Quick kicks

Golden Knights open stadium, nearly pull off upset

At the University of Central Florida’s new on-campus stadium in Orlando, Fla., many Golden Knights fans wore shirts that read “Beat Texas … And the Steer They Rode On In.”

Students bobbed to “Zombie Nation,” behind the far end zone. UCF players huddled near midfield, gyrating to the techno beat, intent on giving the sold-out crowd of 45,622 at Brighthouse Networks Stadium a memorable opener.

The Golden Knights finally had their own home, after playing at the Florida Citrus Bowl for 28 years.

Found: home-field advantage.

Lost: The game, 35-32 to sixth-ranked Texas.

The Golden Knights took a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Longhorns pulled away with two field goals and a touchdown on a fumble recovery.

Fans serenaded the Golden Knights with a standing ovation as they trudged off the field. UCF took little solace.

“I’m not involved in moral victories,” UCF coach George O’Leary said.

NCAA President Myles Brand attended as a guest of UCF athletic director Keith Tribble. Brand praised the $55 million stadium.

“They built a fine stadium that’s functionally terrific but it’s not lavish,” Brand said. “This is going to be a milestone on this campus, it’s going to change the nature of this campus. It’s very impressive.”

No fight in Irish

Forget about Notre Dame turning this season around.

The winless Irish are just looking to regain some self-respect after being blown away by previously winless Michigan, 38-0, on national television before a crowd of 110,178 at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“Notre Dame starting 0-3, that’s got to be a shock to the world,” said Fighting Irish senior linebacker Anthony Vernaglia.

Vernaglia was in for an even bigger shock when an embarrassed Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis walked into the locker room afterward and announced the Irish were going to start over from Day 1 of training camp on Monday, reinstalling his system and putting all positions up for grabs.

Woman debuts as official

When Jacksonville State and Memphis kicked off in Memphis, Tenn., line judge S.B. Thomas didn’t stand out.

But S.B. “Sarah” Thomas’ appearance marked the first time a female official has worked a game in the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly I-A. Thomas, a veteran Mississippi high school official, was assigned to the game by Conference USA.

From wire reports