BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University football team returned to the practice field Wednesday afternoon for about two hours until inclement weather and lighting in the area caused the practice to be shortened.
"I thought we were stacking another day together which is really good," Hilltopper head coach Willie Taggart said. "We talk about trying to be consistent and stack some really good practices together and half way through there, we had a pretty darn good practice going on. We had a lot of energy, especially the defense. I was a little disappointed that we had to stop because we had some really good plays going in and we didn't get to run them, so we'll have to wait until tomorrow."
Despite having to end practice early; Taggart said he felt good about the energy that his players were showing on the field.
"We had a lot of it [energy] today," Taggart said. "We actually had more than we did any other day. I want to continue to see that. The defense was fired up. I want to see the offense come back and feed off that and jump over defense in enthusiasm. We say that at the start of practice and those guys did it."
The Hilltoppers will return to the practice field Friday morning and suit up in full pads for the first time during fall camp.
"We are trying to develop that physical mentality," Taggart said. "No matter what we have on, we want to be physical. There is always the next day to get better. We are going out there, putting on pads, and get going. It's no different then what we have been doing."
The 2010 season marks the first for WKU under the direction of Taggart, who was named head coach on November 23. Taggart previously served as running backs coach at Stanford from 2007-09 and helped Toby Gerhart finish second in balloting for the Heisman Trophy and win the Doak Walker award given to the nation's top running back. Taggart worked as an assistant coach at WKU from 1999-2006 and served as co-offensive coordinator for WKU's 2002 I-AA National Championship team. A standout player at quarterback who set 11 school records for the Hilltoppers from 1995-98, Taggart is one of only four players in WKU's 91-year football history to have his jersey retired.
Fall camp will encompass the entire month of August, and will come to a close on Saturday, Aug. 28 with the second annual Family Fun Day from Noon-3 p.m. (CDT) at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. The 2010 season opens Sept. 4 at #9 Nebraska.
Hilltopper Spotlight: Mychal Patterson
Senior offensive lineman Mychal Patterson has overcome a lot to be wearing a Hilltopper uniform in 2010. After playing in a handful of games in his freshman and sophomore seasons in 2006 and 2007, the Stone Mountain, Ga., product was sidelined for the entire 2008 season following an injury to his spine. After successful surgery, Patterson was able to play in all 12 games last season - starting each of the last eight contests. One of the leaders of an experienced offensive line, Patterson enters fall camp slated as the starter at left guard.
Q: What is your favorite activity outside your current sport?
A: I like drawing. I'll draw just about anything.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I like everything
Q: What is your favorite spring break destination?
A: Panama City, Fla. I went there last year.
Q: What was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child?
A: The Hulk
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: Family Guy
Q: If you could have dinner with any person no longer living, who would
it be and why?
A: My brother passed away, so it would be nice to visit with him.
Q: What are your plans after your playing days are over here at WKU?
A: I'm going to try to give it a shot at the NFL, but if that doesn't work out then I'll start being a student graduate assistant with the strength and conditioning department.
Q: What is your proudest moment in sports?
A: Coming back from spine surgery two years ago to be able to play.
Q: Who is your all-time favorite sports personality?
A: Lebron James, even after he went to the Miami Heat.
Q: Who is your favorite singer or music group?
A: Drake
Q: What is the best movie you have ever seen?
A: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Q: Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
A: My mother, because she has always been there for me and has always been able to help me out with anything in my life.
