University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Energy and Enthusiasm Contagious on Day One of Spring Ball
3/22/2016 12:33:00 PM | Football
The football team conducted its first spring practice of the season on Tuesday.
GREELEY, Colo. – The first practice of the spring is in the books for the football team. The Bears were in high gear on Tuesday morning, bringing a lot of enthusiasm and energy on day one. The carryover from the team's first winning season seemed to be contagious.
"It was a great first day – Coach Jones is back in the fold after being gone for three years and brought a lot of energy back to the defense and had them flying around," Head Coach Earnest Collins Jr. said about practice. "The guys are excited coming off a winning season, so they're out here raring to go and raring to get better."
NEW WRINKLES
It was the first time Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, James Jones got to see his unit in action. Jones will be adding new schemes and wrinkles to UNC's 4-3 defense, but the main focus is working to stop the run. The Bears ranked ninth in the Big Sky last season in run defense, allowing 2,501 yards (227.4 ypg) to opponents.
The team has some holes to fill at safety and corner with the graduation of A.J. Battle, Trevor Douglass, Chris Glover and James Davis.
Mid-year transfer Stone Kane, returner Tyler Bloyer, along with redshirts Sherand Boyd Jr., Marshaun Cameron and Michael Walker are all taking first team reps this spring.
"It was a good learning day for the defense," Collins added. "He's brought back a few things we did in the past and adding his own spin on our defense. The thing I liked the most was everyone was running to the ball and no one was standing around. He had them flying everywhere."
DUAL THREAT
Defensive captain and starting safety, Taylor Risner has a new position to learn this spring. Coach Jones wants Risner to learn outside linebacker so he can be more versatile come game day. Risner played OLB in about forty percent of his snaps last season, mainly in the dime package.
Once the senior gets the OLB position down, expect to see him there on Saturdays. He will still resume his safety duties, but it's appearing he will have more of a split role this season under Jones.
TWO QBs
Jacob Knipp and Kyle Sloter will be taking all the reps during spring ball this season, as they are the only two quarterbacks on the roster. With the graduation of Jonathan Newsom and Brock Berglund transferring, fans can expect to see a lot more run plays in the practice scripts to save their arms.
MORE REPS FOR YOUNG SPECIALISTS
The receiving core minus Stephen Miller are juniors or younger and saw their first action on the field this past fall. The plan is to get Alex Wesley, Ellis Onic II, Hakeem Deggs, mid-year transfer Frank Stephens and the rest of the wide outs more reps to have a better sense of the offense come fall camp.
Same goes with the RBs and QBs. Knipp, Trae Riek, Anthony Davis, Brandon Cartagena and Kyle Sloter were all in their first season of seeing the field, so the offense went through growing pains, but saw lots of success.
The run game was good for 1,781 yards (161.9 ypg) a significant increase from the 2014 season. Knipp also led the team to five wins in 10 games and threw for 1,969 yards and 13 TDs to go along with 10 INTS.
Knipp never had a game over 300 yards passing, but expect that to change come his sophomore season.
NEW GOALS
The goal of a winning season has been accomplished. The next level in the process is now. The program finished 6-5 last year, but it is time to take the next step and start make postseason appearances Collins mentioned.
As for spring practice, the HC just wants to come out and get better every day.
"For us it's just about getting better – we have some young guys that are coming into some positions for the first time this spring and it's all about getting them to understand what they're supposed to do," he said. "The goal for these first few days is getting everybody going, no walking or standing around. It's ok to not know what they're doing in the beginning, but if they're hustling and giving effort, that's key."
VETERAN LINEMAN
According to Offensive Line Coach, Trevor Wikre, "You're either getting better, or you're getting worse, there is no staying the same."
The o-line is on the upside returning four of the five starters and is easily the most veteran position group on the whole team. Zach Wilkinson, Austin Hendrickson, Marcus Piechowski and Coleman McCann are key reasons the run game and pass protection both saw great progression in 2015.
Look for James Floyd Jr., Joe Layzell, Evan Short and Sean McGill to all compete for that final starting position this spring.
NON PARTICIPANTS
Kadim Phillip, Bryan Stansbury, Leilon Willingham and Brandon Lenoir are all out this spring due to injuries. Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo and Michael McCauley are the only offensive players that are on the mend and not expected to be back until fall camp.
The Bears are back at it on Thursday morning, practicing from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Spring practices are conducted every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on the Butler-Hancock practice fields and are open to the public.
"It was a great first day – Coach Jones is back in the fold after being gone for three years and brought a lot of energy back to the defense and had them flying around," Head Coach Earnest Collins Jr. said about practice. "The guys are excited coming off a winning season, so they're out here raring to go and raring to get better."
NEW WRINKLES
It was the first time Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, James Jones got to see his unit in action. Jones will be adding new schemes and wrinkles to UNC's 4-3 defense, but the main focus is working to stop the run. The Bears ranked ninth in the Big Sky last season in run defense, allowing 2,501 yards (227.4 ypg) to opponents.
The team has some holes to fill at safety and corner with the graduation of A.J. Battle, Trevor Douglass, Chris Glover and James Davis.
Mid-year transfer Stone Kane, returner Tyler Bloyer, along with redshirts Sherand Boyd Jr., Marshaun Cameron and Michael Walker are all taking first team reps this spring.
"It was a good learning day for the defense," Collins added. "He's brought back a few things we did in the past and adding his own spin on our defense. The thing I liked the most was everyone was running to the ball and no one was standing around. He had them flying everywhere."
DUAL THREAT
Defensive captain and starting safety, Taylor Risner has a new position to learn this spring. Coach Jones wants Risner to learn outside linebacker so he can be more versatile come game day. Risner played OLB in about forty percent of his snaps last season, mainly in the dime package.
Once the senior gets the OLB position down, expect to see him there on Saturdays. He will still resume his safety duties, but it's appearing he will have more of a split role this season under Jones.
TWO QBs
Jacob Knipp and Kyle Sloter will be taking all the reps during spring ball this season, as they are the only two quarterbacks on the roster. With the graduation of Jonathan Newsom and Brock Berglund transferring, fans can expect to see a lot more run plays in the practice scripts to save their arms.
MORE REPS FOR YOUNG SPECIALISTS
The receiving core minus Stephen Miller are juniors or younger and saw their first action on the field this past fall. The plan is to get Alex Wesley, Ellis Onic II, Hakeem Deggs, mid-year transfer Frank Stephens and the rest of the wide outs more reps to have a better sense of the offense come fall camp.
Same goes with the RBs and QBs. Knipp, Trae Riek, Anthony Davis, Brandon Cartagena and Kyle Sloter were all in their first season of seeing the field, so the offense went through growing pains, but saw lots of success.
The run game was good for 1,781 yards (161.9 ypg) a significant increase from the 2014 season. Knipp also led the team to five wins in 10 games and threw for 1,969 yards and 13 TDs to go along with 10 INTS.
Knipp never had a game over 300 yards passing, but expect that to change come his sophomore season.
NEW GOALS
The goal of a winning season has been accomplished. The next level in the process is now. The program finished 6-5 last year, but it is time to take the next step and start make postseason appearances Collins mentioned.
As for spring practice, the HC just wants to come out and get better every day.
"For us it's just about getting better – we have some young guys that are coming into some positions for the first time this spring and it's all about getting them to understand what they're supposed to do," he said. "The goal for these first few days is getting everybody going, no walking or standing around. It's ok to not know what they're doing in the beginning, but if they're hustling and giving effort, that's key."
VETERAN LINEMAN
According to Offensive Line Coach, Trevor Wikre, "You're either getting better, or you're getting worse, there is no staying the same."
The o-line is on the upside returning four of the five starters and is easily the most veteran position group on the whole team. Zach Wilkinson, Austin Hendrickson, Marcus Piechowski and Coleman McCann are key reasons the run game and pass protection both saw great progression in 2015.
Look for James Floyd Jr., Joe Layzell, Evan Short and Sean McGill to all compete for that final starting position this spring.
NON PARTICIPANTS
Kadim Phillip, Bryan Stansbury, Leilon Willingham and Brandon Lenoir are all out this spring due to injuries. Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo and Michael McCauley are the only offensive players that are on the mend and not expected to be back until fall camp.
The Bears are back at it on Thursday morning, practicing from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Spring practices are conducted every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on the Butler-Hancock practice fields and are open to the public.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballTuesday, December 23
Tuesday, December 23
Tuesday, December 23
Tuesday, December 23
