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University of Charleston football wants to build on first playoff berth

By Derek Redd

Success breeds interest, as was evident Wednesday morning for the first day of University of Charleston football practice.

After last season's inaugural trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Golden Eagles opened preseason camp at UC Stadium with 132 players on the field. It's the most head coach Pat Kirkland has ever opened camp with.

"I don't know if that's good or bad," Kirkland said. "We'll see how many players are in there."

There are plenty who have returned from last season's Mountain East Conference runner-up squad, including seven all-MEC first-team picks. That's enough to breed interest outside the UC locker room walls. The rest of the conference has taken notice, too, and the Golden Eagles understand they'll have plenty of challenges in their quest to advance as a program.

Last year's 10-2 campaign tied the school record for most wins in one season. That milestone, plus UC's postseason berth, offered a boost of energy to Wednesday morning's practice.

"It makes a big difference," Kirkland said. "It's exciting. Everyone in the Mountain East is working hard. But when you work that hard, you get emotional about it and you want to have some success. And they've seen that and they've had it."

Among the joy and good feelings comes a hint of tension. In trying to build a reputation as one of the MEC's top programs - a spot the Golden Eagles reached last year after finishing behind only national runner-up Shepherd in the MEC standings - there comes the task of reinforcing that reputation and going even further in the future.

Justin Johnson, a 2015 all-MEC first-team offensive lineman, said the players know others' eyes are upon them. Others want to see if last season was an aberration or the start of a trend. That offers its own ways of motivation.

"We've got a lot to live up to from last year," Johnson said. "We've got a lot of work to put in, in a little time. That definitely is a drive. It definitely gets you going, when you know what you did last year. You have to live up to it."

There are plenty of pieces in place for the attempt. Along with Johnson, returning all-conference first-teamers include receiver Joey Augustin, offensive lineman Zach Erb, defensive lineman James King, linebacker Rhakeem Stallings, defensive back Zaire Lewis and punter Brett Benes, who also was named an AFCA Division II All-American and an Associated Press Little All-American.

Kirkland said those veterans and others have done well in the offseason helping put younger and newer teammates on the right path. They'll need the guidance, considering the rest of the MEC understands Charleston's capabilities and will gear up to push the Golden Eagles back down the ladder.

Lewis said the whole roster knows the target on their backs will only grow now. Yet they're fine with that target. It's a byproduct of the success UC enjoyed last year. The defensive back believes his team is ready to shoulder that burden and more.

"We've got to capitalize on what we did last year and go even further," Lewis said. "We definitely can handle it. We have to keep that role."

Contact Derek Redd at 304-348-1712 or derek.redd@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @derekredd.


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