ABILENE - Senior receiver
Blayne Taylor colorfully summed up the way he and his teammates were feeling about the first day of football practice.
"If I was a cartoon character, my head would be exploding because I'm so excited."
The ACU football team held its first practice for the upcoming season on Wednesday morning at the Wally Bullington Practice Fields.
Although players have been working out over the spring and summer, this was their first extended time of drills and team practice.
"I think we did a good job as coaches setting the mental intensity," said head coach
Keith Patterson, who is entering his third season at the helm of the Wildcats.
Patterson ran down a list of returning starters who have played a lot of football for ACU including offensive linemen
Tay Yanta and
Alan Hatten, tight end
Jed Castles, quarterback
Maverick McIvor, linebackers
Cirby Coheley and
Reese Young, and safety
Elijah Moffett.
"That's what gives me the most confidence. Our guys have a better understanding of what it's going to take," said Patterson.
"When you have that core leadership offensively it helps tremendously. On both sides of the ball that experience is priceless."
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Patterson is taking a more active role in the defense this season. He spent 15 years as a defensive coordinator at FBS programs (Tulsa, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Arizona State, Utah State and Texas Tech).
"It's been pretty easy," said defensive lineman
Jerry Lawson about the transition to working with Patterson more.
"He knew what were our weaknesses and strengths, and what we need to work on."
Even with a new offensive coordinator in Rick Bowie, Taylor believes there is still a level of consistency among the players and coaches.
"Everybody's on the same page... We'll get together in a group and talk about it. 'What do you want to do? What do you want to change?'"
It helps to have McIvor at quarterback, who is entering his third season as the Wildcats' starter.
"When you talk about chemistry that's what you want, having the same quarterback for three years," said Taylor. "I know his arm. I know how he's going to throw the ball on this route, or things like that. When we have other receivers come in we work out together."
At the end of the first practice, Patterson gathered the team and challenged them to develop a championship attitude.
"You have to condition yourself to be a champion. You have to condition yourself to win. You're not born with that mindset. You've got to adapt and learn.
"Everybody can be excited for the first day of practice. Can you bring that same excitement for the second day?"
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