Photo by: Daniel Gomez
'Tempo' the key word for ACU through three days of football practice
8/10/2013 5:26:00 PM | Football
Interview with John David Baker
ABILENE – ACU coaches and players have been using the word "tempo" a lot in the first three days of fall football practice, and the reason is that they know the Wildcats will have to play at a faster pace on both sides of the ball as they play at a higher level in 2013.
As its first season as an NCAA Division I FCS program approaches, the coaches and players have made it clear that speeding up the pace will be an important element during the 11-game season.
"We've got to be able to change the pace of the game, and do some things to keep the opposition off-balance," ACU senior quarterback John David Baker said. "We'll look a little bit different than we have in the past from the standpoint that we might use a hurry-up offense a little bit more and a few other things to try and distract the defense."
ACU head coach Ken Collums said that tempo is important not just for the offense, but the defense as well.
"The game is going to move a little bit quicker on both sides, so we've really emphasized being ready for that and being able to play at that pace," he said. "The defense was outstanding (Saturday morning). They were really flying around and getting after it, which we'll need to see throughout the season."
The only downer from Saturday morning's practice came in the form of an injury to freshman running back Randy Gober of Waco LaVega High School. Gober injured his right achilles tendon in a non-contact drill and is likely out for the season.
"I hate that for any kid, especially one like Randy who has worked his tail off since he got here," Collums said. "He really felt like this was the best place for him to play football and get his education, and he'll need us more than ever to help him get through this and get back on the field next year."
ACU FOOTBALL NOTES
ACU freshman wide receiver Dakota Duron is the last of four Duron brothers to have played quarterback at national powerhouse Evangel Christian Academy, the program established by his father and current Evangel chancellor, Denny Duron. ... Dakota's brother, Dez, finished eighth two seasons ago on NBC's "The Voice," and another brother, Denny Rodney Duron, was a former Evangel quarterback who later went on to play shortstop at Pepperdine. ... Denny Rodney Duron signed a free agent contract with the Texas Rangers in 2009 and played oen season at Spokane in Low-A ball before playing one season (2010) in the Frontier League. ... Duron and freshman center Sam Fodale were teammates at Evangel Christian Academy. ... Saturday was Media Day and Photo Day for the Wildcats, both of which took place after the morning workout. ... Sophomore defensive back Keith Barnett missed the workout with an illness and freshman running back De'Andre Brown tweaked an ankle during the workout. ... The Wildcats will practice Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. before the first day of two-a-days on Monday. ... The first workout Monday is set for 8:30 a.m. with the second starting at 4 p.m.
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