How quickly things can change.
That’s what UTPB head football coach Justin Carrigan learned after his team’s season opener against the University of Fort Lauderdale scheduled for Friday was called off due to COVID issues in the UFL program.
The Falcons had to find another opponent and did so less than 24 hours later.
UTPB will play Southwest Baptist University (Mo.) at noon Saturday in Bolivar, Mo. in a rescheduled road game and Carrigan said Monday that the team was fired up to get an opportunity to play.
“The common saying in football is that the most improvement happens from week one to week two,” he said. “I think it’s vital that we get to play even though we’re on the road. It changes a lot but we’re fired up for the opportunity.”
Carrigan emphasized that getting a game was important since the team is scheduled to host West Texas A&M Sept. 11 at Ratliff Stadium.
Despite the late change, he added that the team didn’t lose much in terms of preparation with a new opponent.
“It’s like a normal week for us,” Carrigan said. “Ultimately, it’s about trying to get better with what you do and with each individual assignment and then as you get closer to game time, focus on your opponent.”
The Bearcats compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and played three games in the spring. The team finished 3-8 in 2019.
Carrigan said that the team will have to contend with the Bearcats’ up-tempo offense and added that one of the biggest challenges will be handling an active defense.
“They do more blitzing than what we do,” Carrigan said. “The defensive front is active in terms of stunts and crossing guys and creating confusion.
“I think it’s going to be a good challenge for us up front with our offensive lineman and how pick up the blitz and protect the quarterback.”
>> OPENING ACT: The UTPB volleyball team also gets its 2021 season underway this weekend with four matches in two days at the Britkare Lady Buff Classic at West Texas A&M.
The Falcons will play two matches Friday starting at 9 a.m. against Southwestern Oklahoma State and St. Edward’s at 2 p.m.
UTPB will then play two matches Saturday against Fort Lewis and Adams State at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
“It’ll be a big test of our fitness playing four matches in two days,” head volleyball coach Tim Loesch said. “I’m hopeful that we’ll do well with that aspect.
“We’re still figuring out our starting lineup and we have some options. We want to solidify that starting lineup and players off the bench and get them playing in rhythm and playing well together.”
It’s a quick turnaround for Loesch’s team after playing in the spring with a difficult schedule that included playing eventual national champion Angelo State four times.
That said, the head coach added that the team learned a valuable lesson.
“They learned the hard way that they have to be more consistent,” Loesch said. “That’s one of the keys to playing at a high level.
“We finished real strong and played well and I think that’s going to carry over to the start of our season.”
>> VENTURING UP TO THE CENTENNIAL STATE: Both the UTPB men’s and women’s soccer teams will head up to Colorado to open the 2021 season.
The men’s team will play three matches in six days starting Thursday at Colorado Mesa at 8 p.m. followed by a match at Fort Lewis at 5 p.m. Saturday and Adams State at 3 p.m. Monday.
Head coach Dennis Peterson said that the team is healthy heading into the series of opening matches and said that the focus in the scrimmages leading up to those matchups is finding that right combination.
“The main thing that we’re trying to do is build chemistry among the new guys and returners,” Peterson said. “They actually adapted really well.
“We’re still trying to find that real good goal scorer. Our defense is going to be stout but if you can’t score, you can’t win.”
The women’s soccer team will also be playing against Colorado Mesa and Fort Lewis for its first two matches. Those matches kick off at 7 p.m. Friday and noon Sunday, respectively.
The Falcons also wrapped up a pair of scrimmages in which the team scored seven goals, something that was encouraging for head coach Lynsey Winkler.
“Scoring the goals was good but I think we were able to really lock in some key players and also give some opportunities to some incoming freshman that might not have normally seen playing time,” Winkler said. “They stepped up so it makes our decision on who we bring to Colorado a little bit tougher.
>> KEEP ON RUNNING: The UTPB men’s and women’s cross country teams also get their chances to start the season at a meet hosted by Texas Tech at 8 a.m. Saturday in Lubbock.
Head coach Alick Musukuma said that he’s looking forward for the runners to have a chance to complete a full season.
“This year, we are hungry because last year we didn’t have a good, solid season,” Musukuma said. “All the kids are ready for this and they’ve trained hard. This weekend is going to determine and show what work they’ve put in during the summer and for the two weeks since they’ve been here.”
Musukuma added that the meet provides a good opportunity to see where they stand against some top competition from Division I schools.
“You need all five guys to put in the work and come together,” he said. “Running against the best gives you an idea of where you stand.
“I try to preach to all my athletes to be students of the sport. When we come back after that, even if we lose, as long as we are learning from their weaknesses and capitalizing on them, we’ll be better.”
>> Follow Tony Venegas on Twitter at @OA_TVenegas
