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UAPB Football Day 1 Practice in the Books

8/2/2019 7:17:00 PM

UAPB football is officially back as year two under head Coach Cedric Thomas is underway. On Friday afternoon, with less than a month until the first game, the team took to the practice field for the first time during fall camp.

There were plenty of new faces as the incoming class is now on campus while the majority of the team added mass in the offseason.

No question, the 2019 version of the Golden Lions came back ready to go and excelled at a high level during the two- hour workout at Simmons Bank Field.

"Going into year two, there are high expectation because I think our offense should score on every possession, but coach Gales is doing a great job," Thomas said. "We had an outstanding offseason conditioning program. Rashad Harris (Strength Coach) did a great job. Our players are probably in the best condition in the two years that we've been here."

"I'm expecting mental toughness as camp goes on," said Thomas. "We are going to be in front of 60,000 fans against TCU, but we got to know what to do and knowing what to do when we get there. We're saying it's a "Meek Mill" mentality and that's a championship attitude, a championship walk, a championship talk and a championship work ethic.

UAPB is coming off a young 2018 campaign which resulted in several injuries in key positions and lack of depth.

But one of the biggest reasons for an exciting year for the Golden Lions is the return of an experienced offensive line and All-Conference Taeyler Porter, who rushed for a conference-high 1,220 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games. At receiver, All-Conference Dejuan Miller ranks third in the conference in receiving with 801 yards and six touchdowns and a talented group of wideouts.

On the defensive side of the ball, All-Conference Jalen Steward will lead the way for the Golden Lions on the defensive line, followed by Virginia Tech transfer, defensive back Henri Murphy and Shawn Steel.

That season, however, is behind them as the Golden Lions have turned all their focus to the upcoming 2019 campaign with a different mindset and plenty of good talent on both sides of the ball.

#UAPBLionsAreComing

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