MAGNOLIA, Ark. – An excessive heat warning was announced during the late morning hours of Monday's first practice for the 2019 Southern Arkansas Football team, but not even the scorching temperatures could keep the Muleriders from convening on Rip Powell Field for the first time since spring practice.
"We had a great start to fall practice," exclaimed head coach
Bill Keopple who is entering his 11
th season roaming the Mulerider sidelines. "Your typical hot, August in Arkansas weather. Everyone was on time and ready to get started. It will take some time to adjust to the heat considering we're having the hottest week of the year, but it was good to see the team back on the field doing work."
Despite the players just sporting a helmet with practice jerseys and shorts per NCAA rules, the atmosphere inside and around Wilkins Stadium on Monday morning quickly filled a void that had developed around campus since last December: college football has returned to Magnolia.
What stood out to Keopple in the early going of the season's first practice should surely prove to be a tremendous strength for this year's Mulerider football team. "The number of players on the field and the level of talent that we have is a positive," remarked Keopple. "[We are] finally getting to see our newest signing class in a Mulerider helmet doing work."
When asked about specific position battles that he and his staff are closely looking at, Keopple acknowledged that there is more than just a couple. "With our numbers as a team, we have position battles all over the field. Depth is very important on a college football team and this team should be in a good place regarding quality depth."
Helmet-clad Muleriders return to practice on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. Practices, unless otherwise stated, are open to the public. Members of the media are required to contact the SAU Athletic Communications Office at (870) 235-4139 or
sausid@saumag.edu in order to interview coaches/players or record any video clips.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Great American Conference will release the league's preseason coaches' poll. As of late, the Muleriders have fared favorably among the league's head coaches in regards to high preseason expectations. Below is where SAU has stacked up in the preseason rankings in the previous eight seasons of GAC Football.
2018 | 3
rd of 12
2017 | 1
st of 12
2016 | 5
th of 12
2015 | 6
th of 12
2014 | 5
th of 11
2013 | 2
nd of 11
2012 | T6 of 9
2011 | 7
th of 9
The 2019 GAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll will be available on
www.MuleriderAthletics.com on Tuesday afternoon.
