Bowling Green, Ky. Western Kentucky University's football team began preparing for their season opening contest against Indiana in a spirited workout that lasted just under two and a half hours. The team, who held a walk-through yesterday, practiced in hot and humid conditions in preparation for the game.
"We had a good practice today," Head Coach David Elson said. "It was hot and that was good for us because we need to start preparing for hot conditions. I thought that we handled the heat well and we brought a lot of energy to the practice field today. We were able to get some good drills in and we were able to stay focused."
After a preseason camp that started on Aug. 4 the team has now switched their focus to Indiana. The Hilltoppers will face Indiana on Aug. 30 at 11:30 a.m.
"You can tell that there is a sense of urgency out there now because we are so close to kick-off," Elson stated. "They know that game day is coming and you can feel that on the field in the amount of intensity that they bring to practice. "
The game will be the last first game of the season for 20 Hilltopper seniors. Elson said that the senior leadership has been excellent so far this season and feels confident in the leadership that the seniors will provide throughout the year.
"We have a really good group of seniors this year," Elson said. "I think their leadership will continue to grow and get better and that they will be a source of encouragement for our younger players throughout the season. Today I could hear the seniors encouraging the young guys and helping them get through the heat."
This marks the 90th football season for WKU and its first as one of the 120 schools who comprise the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A). The Hilltoppers, who have posted 12 consecutive winning seasons, open the 2008 season at Indiana on August 30.
HILLTOPPER SPOTLIGHT
Jeremy Moore, , Junior, Punter
Jeremy Moore is expected to take care of the punting and holding duties for the second year in a row. In his first season handling the punting duties, he averaged 41.7 yards per kick with 13 of 46 ending inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Moore’s average was the fifth-highest in the school’s season record books. The Indianapolis, Ind., native punted a season-high eight times in his collegiate debut against No. 3 Florida, averaging 44.1 yards per punt including two kicks of 50-plus yards. His first punt of 56-yards proved to be the longest of the season. Moore is a business economics major.
What is your favorite activity outside football?
JM: I really enjoy playing golf.
What is your favorite food?
JM: Prime Rib is my favorite.
What books have you read lately?
JM: I recently read Quiet Strength.
What is your favorite spring break destination?
JM: Panama City Beach is my top choice.
What was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child? Do you have one now?
JM: I liked Marvin the Martian when I was a kid.
What is your favorite t.v. show?
JM: Deadwood is my favorite t.v. show.
If you could have dinner with any person from history, who would it be and why?
JM: Babe Ruth because he is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time..
What are your plans after your playing days are over here at WKU?
JM: I will have a degree in economics but I am still unsure of which career I will choose.
What is your proudest moment in sports?
JM:Being a senior in HS and winning the baseball regional champions made it to semi-state, also my first start at WKU against Florida.
Who is your all-time favorite sports personality?
JM: Chipper Jones is my favorite.
Who is your favorite singer or music group?
JM: I like the musical expressions of the Dave Matthews Band.
What is the best movie you have ever seen?
JM: DeJa vu is the best movie I have ever seen.
Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
JM:My mom because she is the only person who has been there for me all the time. She is my role model and I want to try to be like her.
