Here's what UTEP players and coaches had to say after the first workouts
The 103-degree heat didn't feel like fall, but the UTEP football team started pointing that way when it took Glory Field for the first practice of 2023. The Miners were one of 14 teams nationally to begin fall camp Thursday, one of 14 teams that opens the season Aug. 26, a week before the other 119 teams crank up.
For UTEP that will mean a game at FBS and Conference USA newcomer Jacksonville State. The journey there started in 103-degree heat and coach Dana Dimel was pleased with how his players handled it. "We're undefeated," Dimel said, which will be a familiar refrain over the next month.
"Good day. Obviously we feel good about our football team, now it's going to be coming to work every day, getting good reps in. "We need great leadership to improve each and every day and be consistent with our work ethic.
I've been impressed with how we handled the elements. We had a two-hour shuttle test, then a two-hour practice in the afternoon and a long day of meeting. "We had good effort from them and good leadership.
" More: Rating Conference USA football stadiums: Who's the best? One of those leaders, senior quarterback Gavin Hardison, echoed that assessment. "Our first day this year was probably the best first day since I've been here," Hardison said. "It was a good day.
I like how guys are flying around, doing the right thing, executing the plays. " UTEP won't have many afternoon practices the rest of the year, in fact at the moment there are no more scheduled as the Miners move to their traditional 9 a. m.
practice time starting Friday. Dimel said that could change, as the Miners first game is in the afternoon in Alabama. Defensive end Praise Amaewhule pointed out that UTEP's summer workouts were in the afternoon and the team has learned how to deal with it.
"We've been out here all summer, practicing, running reps, we're used to the heat," Amaewhule said. "I'm excited to be back and I'm ready to get back to work. " For receiver Tyrin Smith, this was his first workout since last November as he spent the spring at Texas A&M.
He undid that transfer and was welcomed back with open arms. "It's a great feeling, I'm glad to be back with the guys," Smith said. "We had a good first day, now we need to keep stacking days and keep building.
Every practice is important, every guy on this team knows that. "We only had five wins last year, we need more than that. We're going to try to win the whole thing this year and everybody knows how important each practice is.
" That journey started on a hot Thursday. Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes. com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
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