State college notes
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
CENTRAL ARKANSAS Bears ranked No. 22 CONWAY — The Central Arkansas Bears were selected as one of two Southland Conference teams in The Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision preseason Top 25 poll. The Bears, who finished 6-5 last season and tied for second in the Southland Conference, were picked at No. 22 by a poll of writers who cover the FCS (formerly Division I-AA ). Two-time defending Southland champion McNeese State was selected at No. 10. Central Arkansas Coach Clint Conque said he was pleased with the selection, but he said it was more of a reflection of how well previous teams have done in his school’s move to Division I. The Bears finished the season last year ranked No. 25 in the TSN poll, the third year in their transition from NCAA Division II.
“It shows where we’ve come as a program, particularly over the last seven or eight years,” Conque said. “With the success the past teams have had in recent years comes this kind of respect.
“ We’re taking it in stride, though, and that’s something I’ve talked to the team about. Certainly it puts you in a good position that if you start the year well, you’re on the radar. And, one of our goals each year is to finish on the national radar. Right now, though, our focus is on our team and our first opponent, Henderson State.”
— Nick Walker ARKANSAS STATE Beebe visits Red Wolves Gov. Mike Beebe watched as Arkansas State participated in a two-hour practice Tuesday. Beebe, who was scheduled to speak at a booster club event Tuesday night, addressed the team following practice. “Obviously, it was a privilege for us to have the governor of the state of Arkansas here at our practice and to speak to our team,” Arkansas State Coach Steve Roberts said. “We are very proud of what he has accomplished and continues to accomplish as the governor and as an ASU alumni.”
The practice featured passing-game situations, special teams, inside drills and team offense vs. defense.
“We had a pretty good practice today and I thought we got better at some things,” Roberts said. “We had a lot of special-teams emphasis today, plus team, inside and passing skeletons. I thought all those drills went well and we got better at a few positions.”
The Red Wolves’ final two-a-day practices are today.
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