Running away with it!

Well... things didn't quite work out as planned to be able to blog during the game tonight, but a good game it was for the purple and white.

The Texans started out a little sluggish, but they quickly shook off the cobwebs and got to work, scoring the last 41 points of the contest to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma, 51-10 (Boxscore).

To read more about the Texans' victory, see the story on TarletonSports.com.

The offense and defense were both very "vanilla" in the playcalling, but that is to be expected in the first game of the season. The video will be posted online tomorrow via the Tarleton Ticket if you want to see the game. It will be in the archive section.

Well, the first game is under our belts, and for the seventh time this decade, the Texans won their opening contest. Way to go Texans!

Now, it's on to volleyball as the TexAnns travel to San Antonio for a tournament this weekend. Cross Country runs Friday as well.

School is here. Fall sports are here. Ready or not, it's all here, and when it comes to Tarleton athletics information, you will be able to find it here or here.

Way to go Texans. You started off on a winning note, now let's keep it going in that direction. Not just for football, but for all our teams in 2008-09.

Go Texans and TexAnns!

Tell us what you thought about the game in the comment section.

It's Here!

The countdown is on for 7 p.m. tonight... yes, I am posting this at 12:25 a.m. Thursday morning, and I have been working on football things, gamenotes for the games along with the roster and other things on the web. Man, things really sneek up on ya, so here it is. Now is the time!

Football season is here, and the Texans are ranked in only one preseason poll. The Sporting News has the Texans at No. 25, but the D2Football.com poll and the American Football Coaches Association poll have left the Texans out of the preseason honors.

Maybe they forget the Texans went 9-2 last season and just barely missed the playoffs, although an arguement could be made that they should have gone over Mesa State. Maybe they forget Tarleton returns one of the most high-powered offense not just in the LSC, but in the nation.

Of course, they do know the Texans lost nine starters on defense, but they don't know about the very talented players lining up on the defensive side of the ball for the purple and white.

And that is OK... all will know soon enough. This should be a great year, and perhaps by the end of it, they will wonder what the rest of us have been wondering... "Why weren't the Texans in the national polls at the beginning of the season?"

Well... back to getting ready for the big night!... Hope to see you out supporting the Texans in the season opener. If you can't make it... listen online at kstvfm.com and/or watch it on the Tarleton Ticket.

And watch here for updates during the game, too!

Go Texans!

Purple/White Scrimmage

Between 100-200 fans watched as the 2008 Texans took the field for the annual Purple/White Scrimmage Thursday night.

The weather was good (which was rare for a scrimmage since most of them in the past four years have been fighting weather).

The play was good as well as most of the first and second team were on the purple team facing the rest of the squad on the white team. The first team offense drove and scored the first two times they touched the ball, and the defense had a great night as they are still trying to find the right chemistry to battle opponents this fall.

The team looked good to me, of course, there was still a lot of raw moments in the squad's first "live" action. The two quarters were nice to see... and it made me even more hungry for football.

Of course, it will be here before we know, and the coaching staff is glad to have a few more days of prep.

For more on the coaches thoughts and pics from the scrimmage, see the Tarleton football training camp page.

If you saw the scrimmage... tell us what you thought by posting in the comments section.

Purple/White Scrimmage - Thursday

Man... where does the time go?

We have been busy working on finishing the media guide with all of the new faces and improving the guide for the media and recruiting. Hopefully, it will be up on the web at the beginning of next week at the latest, as well as the roster and two-deep. I looked up this afternoon, and wow, what do ya know, it's Wednesday, and I haven't put anything up... I deeply apologize.

Now, onto Thursday night.

The annual Purple/White Scrimmage is set for 7:30 p.m. We will offer it via video for FREE as a preview of the Tarleton Ticket. During the season, fans can purchase the Tarleton Ticket to watch home football games and select road games. For more information, go to the Tarleton Ticket at www.TarletonSports.com. During the season, fans will be able to see the video and hear an audio simulcast; however, tomorrow night's scrimmage will be video only.

Head Coach Sam McElroy said the Texans will play two full quarters.

"We will try to get as many live game situations in as possible tomorrow night," McElroy said. "We have two good weeks of practice, but now we are down to crunch time. The scrimmage will help us separate the players, and we are looking forward to see how the guys respond."

If you can come to the scrimmage, it is free and open to the public. Fans will have a chance to see what the 2008 Texans offer. A lot of people aren't giving Tarleton much of a chance to compete with Abilene Christian and West Texas A&M (more on that in another post), but tomorrow, you should see what those people don't if you get to come to the scrimmage. Though it will only be a slim look at the Texans, it should be a good one.

Hope to see you there!

Family

On Sunday, the Texan football team will go about business as usual, but it will be missing a key figure during practice.

"Guys, you know I hate not being with you, but I tomorrow I am going to do right by my daughter," said emotional fourth-year head coach Sam McElroy after Saturday's scrimmage. "I have always told her that I would be at her next dance recital or next event, but there are no more of those, and when she asked if I'd take her to college, I couldn't tell her, 'No.'"

McElroy, and the rest of the coaching staff, often refer to the team and program as a big family. And it was never more apparent as the man at the helm of the Texans fought back tears. Is was evident because it was the players confirming their leader's choice.

"Yeah Coach." "Way to go coach." "That's right." "Love ya coach." "Do it coach."

Those were just a few of the quotes heard coming from the players who had taken a knee.

They have been through the motions for a week, so they know when and where to go for practice and what to do once they get there. There will be one of them missing on Sunday in physicality, but they players will have him them in their heads and hearts.

And it won't just be mom and dad delivering a daughter to Texas Tech on Sunday, though that is all she may see and hug at the time. There will be about 100 other people there, too, supporting both daughter, mom and dad.

After all, that is what family is all about.

*Note, the players got the day off to prepare for the last week of camp.

Making me even more hungry...

After watching the scrimmage today, it just makes me more hungry for some football.

This morning, everyone sat around and waited for the lightning detector to let us on the field, but it wasn't to be. There is something about us and scrimmages and weather. However, we got the scrimmage in this afternoon, and it went well.

Standing on the sidelines and taking pictures made me ready to do so during a game. Unfortunately, I don't get to stand on the sidelines at home since I have to be in the pressbox doing stats and media relations. Of course, our first two games are at home, and I am glad for that as well.

What I do look forward to is seeing some football being played on our field. Today the guys were hungry for some game action, too. I heard a lot of whooping and hollering, supporting each other like a family. And that is what is stressed each and every day by the coaching staff.

If you didn't make the scrimmage today, you missed some very nice plays on both offense and defense. There were a few miscues, but nothing that can't be fixed.

I am excited about watching the 2008 Texans every Saturday, and I hope you are as well.

Go here to see pictures of today's scrimmage, and don't worry, the real thing is just 12 days away!

Scrimmage

For the first time we will get to see what we have in purple and white. Hopefully, it will look as good on field as it does on paper. The team will start stretching around 10 before playing a "game" - a.k.a. scrimmage.

I'll make sure lots of pictures get posted, as well as interviews.

Anything you want to see or read or have a question for a coach and/or player? Post it in the comments section, or email it to tarletonsid@yahoo.com.

*Note* - The scrimmage was pushed back to 4 p.m. due to the lightning in the area... no rain at the time, but still couldn't get on the field. Let's hope 4 p.m. is a GO!

STRIKE!

Apparently, there was a lot of smack talking leading up to the team bowling activity. Offense vs. Defense. Not only do they try to prove themselves on the field against each other, now they had the added pressure of using a round ball to knock down some pins some 60 feet away from the foul line, that's two first downs.

And who do you think won? Perhaps the team used to gaining 20 yards? Or the team used to
knocking things down?

The answer: the team that had a player who brought his own bowling ball, bag and shoes: Devin Livingston. The offense won by more the 1,000 pins. Yes, that's right, 1,000 pins. Whoa! That's, dare I say it, an old-fashioned whippin'!

Defensive coordinator Cary Fowler was overheard saying his squad should get to play the offense in dominoes. I asked, "If they called it Gutterball, would the defense have one?" A large smile gave the answer.

The offense gets a prize (if I remember right last year, they got to watch the defense run after practice, but I could be wrong - it has been a while sense then). I'll let you know what the offense gets to enjoy.

Hopefully, the offense will be as successful on the football field this year in moving the ball 20 yards at a time and outscoring their opponents by such big margins. Of course, here's to hoping the defense can fill the gutters presented to them by opposing offenses as well.

Mastermind...

The Texans are staying busy during workouts and the 2008 Training Camp. Last night, the team took time out to have some fun and went bowling. The offense vs. the defense, and I have yet to hear the outcome and the stakes, but as soon as I do, I will let you know.

Tarleton fans will see several new faces on the sidelines for the Texans this season, including both of the coordinators. Jason Munoz joins the staff this season as the offensive coordinator. This link provides you a chance to hear more from the new Tarleton assistant.

Find pics from today here.

We're getting closer...

Kickoff Luncheon Review

The annual Texan Club Kickoff Luncheon was held Tuesday at City Limits as head coach Sam McElroy entertained the crowd of over 100 people.

“We are going to put a good product on the field for you to watch this year, and we definitely appreciate the support the Texan Club and the Stephenville community have given and continue to give to us,” McElroy said. “We are excited to begin the new season.”

Texan Club David Tomlinson opened the program welcoming the crowd before handing the reins to new Tarleton State University President Dr. Dominic Dottavio. The new president was also excited about the upcoming year.

“I’m proud to be president of this University,” Dottavio said. “The reception we have received here has been heartwarming.

“I love sports,” Dottavio said. “I love football and volleyball. I think athletics is an important part of the student experience. Athletics adds immeasurably to the learning of our students.”

See the rest of the story here.

Also, hear coach Sam McElroy's Kickoff Luncheon Talk.

Rain

I went to practice this morning to get a few pics to post on the Texan Training Camp web site, and as soon as I got to practice this morning... yep you guessed it by the title: RAIN.

Now, I have no problem of standing out in the rain, but my camera does. So the first few pics you will see are from standing under the training tent as practice carried on. If you look really hard, you can see the water falling down.

Coach McElroy was thankful for the rain, read more on his Coaches Corner article.

Tomorrow should separate the "men from the boys" as they say as the Texans don on full pads for the first time this season. We'll be there to bring you pics. The kickoff luncheon is tomorrow as well, and we'll give you coverage from the Texan Club event as well.

The rain was nice, I'll take more if it. The football is nice as well... I'll take more if it, too.

INTENSITY

That's the word that comes to mind when I think about the Texan football practices going on this week.

From the coaches to the players, the intensity is well... intense.

"These guys have come out here the last three days and given everything they have had," said Tarleton head coach Sam McElroy. "They are out here flying around and executing. They are focusing and doing a good job of working hard."

From the faces on the coaches as they interact with players to the players themselves, one can tell they know kickoff is just 18 days away.

Starting quarterback Scott Grantham has embraced the team leader role and makes sure the offense is focused, even when it is not his turn to call the signals and touch the ball.

"We have a lot to do out here over the next couple of weeks to prepare for the season, so we have to be focused throughout the entire practice," Grantham said. "We get out here and help and encourage each other. We have to be intense if we want to win."

McElroy said the intensity should last throughout the season.

"We will work hard to keep the intensity througout the year," the fourth-year head coach said. "Of course, it will grow as we approach Aug. 28. We don't have the intensity we have just for show, it is because we really love this game and we really love these guys and want them to do well. We want to put them in the best position possible to be successful. I think it's good to have intentsity, and there is definitely no shortage of that around here."

Take a look at the photo album on the Training Camp web site to see some more intense pictures as well as pics from the rest of the day.

The dictionary defines intensity as a high degree of emotional excitement; great energy, strength, concentration; exhibiting a high degree of some quality or action... I would define it as Tarleton Football.

Texan Tidbit - The Texan donned shoulder pads for the first time on Sunday as the full squad practiced together for the first time. The freshman had been practicing for the last two days in the morning while the varsity was practicing in the afternoons. Today, they joined forces and had a good practice after the whole team attended services together this morning at Rocky Point Baptist Church.

Day Two... still hot, but they're not bothered

The weather is still hot on the Memorial Stadium turf, but the guys sure didn't seem to mind being out there and running each other. The energy and excitement is definitely unmeasurable. Lots of new faces to have to learn, but no problem, I'll take the challenge if it means we can keep the talent that lies behind the faces.

Head Coach Sam McElroy even kept conditioning at the end of practice exciting as he took to a three-point stance to "hike" the ball, sending the players sprinting down the field.

Tomorrow the team will move to the practice fields, so it should be a bit cooler on grass. Pads are just around the corner, and then we'll see what we really have underneath those purple helmets.

Check out the new interviews and pics on the Football Training Camp page.

19 days from kickoff... I can't wait.... can you? Tell us what you look forward to this fall.

Texans on camera

Here is just a small video excerpt about the first day of practice.

And don't forget to check out the daily interviews, pictures and stories on the 2008 Training Camp web page.

Football reports Thursday

Ready or not, and most everyone I have talked to is, football is here!

There is lots of excitement around the Tarleton Field House on the south side of Memorial Stadium in Stephenville today as the football players checked into Crockett Hall this afternoon.

The summer has flown by, but head coach Sam McElroy and his staff welcomed around 100 student-athletes to Training Camp today. There were a lot of old faces, especially on the offensive side of the ball. And there were a lot of new faces, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Look forward to two players contributing to the student-athlete blog during fall camp and then, hopefully, they will continue to do so throughout the season.

Tarleton Tales...a new blog for Texans and TexAnns

Welcome to the new blog for Tarleton State University Athletics.

We are moving into a new era of communication as we open Tarleton Tales, a blog for Tarleton athletics.

We want to use the opportunity to give you more information that is not just your average press release.

Fans will be able to read the information and different perspectives from student-athletes and coaches, as well as sports information director Joey Roberts and assistant sports information director Dameon Myres.

Please don't hesitate to leave comments and get discussions going between the fans as well. If you have any questions or ideas, please leave those in the comments as well.

We look forward to a great season, and we look forward to your support. Go Texans and TexAnns!