CONWAY, Ark. _ The temperature was as high as expected Saturday for the University of Central Arkansas Bears’ opening football practice, but so was the excitement level among the 95 players who took the field for the first time.
“This may be as good a collection of athletes as we’ve had in the 12 years I’ve been here,’ said a sweat-drenched head coach Clint Conque after practice. “Their conditioning is good, their attitudes are very good. I thought our tempo, particularly with our veterans, was extremely fast. I thought we threw and caught the football well.
“I think the young kids are trying to do what the coaches are asking them to do. And certainly, I thought the veterans picked up where they left off last spring. We had conditioning tests early this morning and there was no complaining. Post practice conditioning, same thing.
“Overall, I’m very, very pleased with the first day.’
The highlight of the day, offensively, was a long touchdown pass from senior quarterback Nathan Dick to junior transfer receiver Jesse Grandy.
“That was an outstanding play,’ said Conque. “Nathan hit Grandy on an inside streak route for about 70 yards and a touchdown. Then Grandy came back later and sat down on an inside streak read and was open by 10 yards. That’s what that vertical speed, or the fear of it, opens up for you. We’ve been missing that the last couple of years.’
Conque said he expects the receiving corps, with the return of several talented players such as senior Isaiah Jackson and junoior Dominique Croom, as well as the addition of Grandy, Al Lasker from Air Force and Brett Soft from Butler Community College, to be a strength this season.
“There is a lot of competition and a lot of depth at the wide receiver position,’ said Conque. “I think that is going to be an exciting battle to watch in camp, to see who emerges from that group. We have 14 scholarship wide receivers out there and the competition is going to be fierce.’
Dick, the preseason first-team All-Southland Conference selection, had a solid first day, according to Conque.
“Nathan Dick had an outstanding day,’ he said. “I think it goes without saying that he had total command of the offense today. And Dominique Croom had an oustanding day as well.’
The Bears return to practice again at 3:45 Sunday and will get their first official taste of the new purple and gray artificial playing surface at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.
