The Emporia Gazette

May 27, 2012

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The group of 40 Emporia State football players had just completed their sprint across the yardlines at Welch Stadium when they received the bad news.

One of them had started the sprint with their foot on the white line. They all had to sprint again.

After completing a second run in the 90-degree heat, worse news came.

One player had not touched the end line with his right hand as instructed. The group, already exhausted, would have to go a third time in a row.

The grace period for mistakes had already ended for the ESU football players — and this was two hours into the team’s first practice on Friday.

“I don’t think,” ESU wide receiver Jarad Biggs said, “that the freshman were ready for that.”

Ready or not, the time for discipline had come for the ESU football team.

First-year coach Garin Higgins and his staff made one thing clear on Friday’s first day of practice: Do things the right way or be prepared to face the consequences.

“We’re going to let them know how we want things done from Day One,” Higgins said. “There’s no need to wait — we’re not into babying them along.

“They’re going to understand what it’s all about.”

Many returning players had already experienced the coaching staff’s style in Spring ball, but that wasn’t the case for the incoming freshmen on the roster.

The first-year players could not practice with the team until Friday.

“I think it really opened the younger guys’ eyes,” ESU junior offensive lineman Joel Griffiths said. “Today reiterated that the coaches are going to pay attention to the little things. They’re stressing that definitely.”

The players also have had to adjust to a faster practice pace than in previous seasons, as on Friday they were expected to run between each station and drill.

Higgins said he was pleased with the effort he saw.

“It was a typical first day — everyone was enthused and everyone was moving quick,” Higgins said. “The guys might not have known where to line up, but they were going there fast.”

Now, however, it’s time for them to learn to do all the little things right.

“I’ll tell you what,” Higgins said, “that message is going to continue to be relayed.”

Sullivan held out

Emporia State fullback Lucas Sullivan did not practice because of a pulled hamstring.

Higgins said he wasn’t sure when the junior would return to workouts.

“We feel like we don’t want to rush it too quick,” he said.

ESU also is starting practice without quarterback Andre Sloan El, who is recovering from intestine surgery. The earliest he could return would be sometime in mid-August.

Coaches taking time

on QB decision

Higgins said he didn’t have a timetable for announcing a starting quarterback.

Most likely that decision will be made the week before ESU’s first game against Western (Colo.) State on Sept. 1.

“It just depends on how the quarterbacks perform every week,” Higgins said.

With the injury to Sloan El, last year’s starter Ben Purkeypile would seem to be the favorite, but Higgins has said that Eric Runge and Zach Rampy will both have a chance to compete for the job.

Don’t let go

The ESU quarterbacks had to focus on more than loosening their legs during pre-practice exercises on Friday — they also had to concentrate on keeping hold of a football.

Purkeypile, Runge and Rampy all went through leg-stretching drills while tucking a football under their arms.

Higgins said the point was to stress the importance of valuing football.

“It’s one of the things you have to do to be successful,” Higgins said. “We have to focus on ball security, and it starts on Day One.

“Quarterbacks touch the ball on every play, and we want to make sure (ball security) is on their mind.”