Kennesaw State football coach Brian Bohannon said his team showed enthusiasm during its first day of camp on Monday, but he wants to see them finish better.
“The pace let off a little bit as we went through,” he said. “Got hot. Got tired. We will keep working on it.”
The Owls went 6-5 in their inaugural season last year. They started 5-1 before losing four of their last five to finish 2-4 in the Big South Conference.
“Going back to last year, one of the big things is we have to finish,” quarterback Trey White said. “We lost our last couple of games. At the end of the first day of camp, it’s something you can build on.
“When you’re hot and tired, have to work on as a team collectively on pushing through together. That’s the only way we can overcome it.”
Reporting and schedule: Bohannon said 94 players reported to camp on Sunday. The team will practice again on Tuesday, put on shells and practice Wednesday and Thursday, and put on full pads on Friday. The team will scrimmage on Saturday.
Seniors: The team's 10 seniors were given an opportunity to individually speak to the team on Sunday.
White, who rushed for 964 yards and nine touchdowns and passed for 1,059 yards and eight touchdowns last season, said he told his teammates that he doesn’t want to put a ceiling on what they can do this season.
After being picked to finish last in the conference by its coaches last season, the team was predicted to finish third this season.
“I don’t want to have any regrets,” White said. “I don’t want to leave the game because we didn’t bring our ‘A’ game.
“We know we have the talent to play with anybody. We have to build the talent, inject some teamwork and camaraderie and at the end of the day hope to put a good season together.”
White's work: As part of not having any regrets, White said he spent the summer trying to improve his footwork while passing and distribution in the Bohannon's option offense.
White completed 47.57 percent of his passes last season, and averaged 4.4 yards per carry.
“(Want) him to continue to grow as a leader,” Bohannon said. “I think he can have a huge asset there. He’s been in this system for a long time. He’s got to be sharper.”
McKenzie's work: After moving from quarterback to B-back during the season, Jake McKenzie has had a full spring and will have a full camp to learn the nuances of his position.
The expected starter at B-back, McKenzie rushed for 357 yards and four touchdowns last season.
He said he spent the spring and summer working on his blocking, something he didn’t have do a lot of last season, and his footwork.
“His move to running back will help us,” Bohannon said. “He can be a difference-maker with the inside running game. But it’s got to be a combination with the line. Everybody respects him for his work ethic and the way he goes about his business.”
About the Author
