Listen Here
UF’s football season starts Sept. 2 with a home game
By Kendall Westgate, WestgateK@Findlay.edu
With fall weather around the corner, University of Findlay fall sports are underway, which is no exception for UF’s football team.
“We are looking forward to seeing this team grow together. A lot of work has been put in by coaches and players alike. The games are a reward for an off season of preparation,” Head Coach Kory Allen said. “My favorite part of the team is who they are. We get to coach great kids here at Findlay. They are hungry to learn the game and chase the best version of themselves.”
The football team has their first game of the season at home on Sept. 2 against Truman State University at 12 p.m. The team has been practicing hard for its first game of the 2023 year.
“I have been working on improving my technique,” UF defensive lineman Jack Morrison said. “As a defensive lineman, the game of football is violent from the first snap to the start, but having violence alone isn’t going to get you prepared. So a lot of what we do as a d-line group is footwork and hand work. Our position coach does a great job at showing us exactly how to defeat these sort of blocks and how to play as a better individual.”
Along with many other sports, there are certain game day traditions and superstitions that may take place before kick off.
“I’ve had a pre-game tradition ever since my freshman year of high school. What I do is take the field and go to our corner of the endzone, and I meditate for about 15 minutes. This allows me to get into my flow state. The game of football causes a lot of nerves; and it comes with a lot of pressure, so making sure that you’re taking the time to breathe and get ready to perform matters the most,” Morrison said. “I do have a superstition that I have to put my right sock on before my left and the same with my cleats. No idea why, I just feel better when I do.”
Besides game day traditions, different players and coaches have different ways to celebrate after a win.
“I enjoy having friends, family and coaches over after the game to have something to eat and watch other college games on that day,” Allen said. “It is a relaxing time after our game.”
Morrison explained that the team has worked hard during the off season in practice to prepare for the upcoming season.
“What I really love about this 2023 football team is that there are so many guys who have brought into what Oiler football is about, which is hard work. Day in and day out I see each one of my teammates giving their absolute all for the program and that gives me even greater motivation to push to another level myself,” Morrison said. “Also, we have a great bond. Usually, you’ll have individuals trying to start drama or even break into little groups and talk about others. Not with these guys, we all have the same goal in mind and I would consider each of these men some of my greatest friends.”
