SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The first day of college football is not the high-energy event that people would imagine. The day is spent being issued equipment, sitting through team meetings, learning the names of teammates and coaches and capped by a light practice where dozens of new players are trying to fit in with multi-year veterans. Move the clock forward 12 hours and Friday's practice looked more like real thing.
The Hornets held a 90 minute session on a relatively comfortable Friday morning on the grass practice field. Second-year head coach Andy Thompson continued his strategy of splitting the field in half, allowing simultaneous drills on each side the field between the offense and defense.
"Our goal is to get a lot of evaluation," Thompson said. "We have a lot of new faces and we want to see where they are at coming off summer. Using two fields, we have 44 guys going at the same time which allows everyone to get more reps."
Thompson has also gained experienced. Entering his second year, he has a better understanding of the demands of being a head coach.
"I feel a lot more confident (than last year)," Thompson explained. "I think, more than anything, I know how to use my time throughout the day. I really try to be in the present and give that task all my attention even when having to switch from one thing to another."
The Hornets will practice again on Saturday morning and then return to evening practices beginning on Monday following a day off.
NEWS & NOTES
- Two Sacramento State players recognized on the Phil Steele FCS Preseason All-America teams. Jackson Slater, who has landed on nearly every preseason team, earned first team honors on the offensive line. Tight end Coleman Kuntz was named to the preseason third team.
- Phil Steele also produced three preseason all-Big Sky teams. As expected, Slater and Kuntz were named to the first team and were joined by linebacker Will Leota. Wide receiver Jared Gipson, center Nathan Mejia and kicker Zach Shreiner were placed on the second team while punter Cal McGough and running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver were named to the third team. Tau-Tolliver earned the honor as a kick returner and as an all-purpose player.
- Four players with ties to Sacramento State are in NFL training camps. DeAndre Carter starts his seventh year in the league with his second stint with the Chicago Bears. Marte Mapu returns for his second season with the New England Patriots where he will play for first-year head coach Jerod Mayo following the departure of Bill Belichick. Cornerback Daron Bland will attempt to follow his record-breaking season with the Dallas Cowboys while running back Elijah Dotson is back with the Los Angeles Chargers but will have a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh.
- North of the border, McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Darnell Sankey are back in the CFL. Bethel-Thompson debuted in the league in 2017 and is in his first year with the Edmonton Elks after five years in Toronto. Bethel-Thompson has also had professional stops in the NFL, UFL, Arena League and USFL. Sankey is currently ninth in the CFL with 38 total tackles in seven games. He has helped Montreal to a 6-1 record which stands first in the East. Last year, Sankey pulled off a rare feat, winning the XFL title with the Arlington Renegades in February and then signing with the Alouettes and winning the Grey Cup in November.
- Sacramento State is also represented in the Indoor Football League where Pierre Williams and Brandon Weldon are playing for the Bay Area Panthers. Williams has 28 catches for 358 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.
