After talking to coaches and players alike, I feel this season is being approached with a now-or-never mentality. This year the Warhawks program heads in the right direction with a trip to a bowl game.
You’re wondering how that’s going to happen? The team is improving everyday: critiquing mistakes from every drill, assignment and practice. The Warhawks won’t be content and have to put every game in the past, win or lose.
The most difficult games this year will be the first four against Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor and Tulane. Players can’t enter these games intimidated. They will determine who is going to be ready when conference play rolls around. The team isn’t worried about being too young or inexperienced; everyone must step up, no excuses.
In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “As our enemies have found, we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men also.”
ULM is 0-0 in the win to loss column for bowl appearances. This is no record coaches and players intend to keep. Players felt they let fans down after they lost a total of four conference games by 11 points or less last season. A play here and there kept ULM from a bowl birth and left the team embarrassed.
This camp everyone has a chip on their shoulder and are making sure everything runs smoothly.
Since my freshman year people, including myself, have often wondered why ULM’s football program hasn’t received more support.
After this season everyone will see the ULM football is back on track and can compete around the country. A bowl game appearance will help recruiting, build a better football atmosphere and bring in more fan support. This is the year the Warhawks get all the attention they deserve in Northeast Louisiana.
This group of players isn’t out there working for themselves. They are doing whatever it takes to win games for the team. They have bought into their coaches’ systems and are ready to finally get over the hump.
Age or experience doesn’t matter; every player must be ready fill in at any moment.
The two things I think will make this team successful are staying confident and being consistent. If they can battle through adversity, fight to last snap and cut out mistakes every game, then everything will work out.
