By Jason Pugh, Northwestern State Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations; featured photo by Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services
NATCHITOCHES – First-year head coach Blaine McCorkle had hoped his Northwestern State football team would start fall camp Tuesday night by picking up where it left off at the conclusion of spring practice.
For more than two hours under the lights at a humidity-enveloped Turpin Stadium, the Demons did just that and more.
“I was really pleased with the carryover,” McCorkle said. “Day One of fall camp far exceeded any of the 15 days of spring practice. There was a lot of carryover. It’s clear (strength and conditioning) coach (Jason) Smelser did a tremendous job this summer, having their bodies ready to go. We were able to get through the whole practice at a good tempo. We finished practice fast, and I was excited with what I saw. The key is to make today the worst day for the rest of camp. Set your bar high early and keep building on it.”
With summer classes ongoing, McCorkle and his staff made the decision to hold the first five practices of camp under the recently upgraded lights at Turpin Stadium.
Despite an anxious day that had coaches and players alike itching to get on the field, the energy levels remained high as the Demons went through nearly two and a half hours of drills under their mostly new coaching staff.
“Usually everyone goes morning practices for the fall,” said running back Kolbe Burrell, who is in his third season as a Demon. “Under the lights is definitely different, a whole other vibe we have to get used to and experience. It’s how the games are going to be, so it’s a great experience.”
McCorkle highlighted the play of the NSU offensive line and what he saw from a deep freshman class – both tangibly and intangibly – as high points from the first workout.
And while the new Demon coach was impressed, he preached balance when looking at the day as a whole.
“They’re trying to learn how to be tough,” McCorkle said. “I’m not going to say we’re a tough football team yet, but we’re trying to be a tough football team. You have to start seeing yourself as that before you become it. That’s what we talked about a lot (Monday) night at the team meeting – who do you want to see yourself as? This is a place that has tremendous history and tradition. This stadium we’re standing in has produced 12 conference championships. We need to carry ourselves in that light instead of the light of recent history. That’s part of learning to be tough.”
Toughness and discipline are part of the culture McCorkle has instituted since arriving on campus in December.
The familial feel that has permeated the football program has grown since then as well despite a roster that is filled with new faces who were playing at nearly every different level of football a season ago. Those bonds forged in the spring and summer also carried over into Tuesday night’s opening practice, which marked the start of preparation for the Aug. 29 season opener at Tulsa.
“I’m so happy we get to put all this hard work together and finally get on the field as a unit,” said linebacker Blake Gotcher, a Lamar transfer. “We put in a lot of work this summer. It’s amazing being out here together. A lot of these guys out here embraced me into the family. We spent a lot of time together bonding. We’ve got a lot of high-culture guys out here who love each other.”
The Demons return to practice at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Turpin Stadium.