Rookie season: Football looks to integrate freshmen into winning formula

Heman Duplechan | Contributing Writer

As the end of August approaches and busloads of freshmen begin to arrive on campus, it is apparent that the new school year is upon us and a new football season along with it. Coming off an 8-3 season last year, the Washington University football team has been on campus for the past month rigorously preparing for their season opener against Carnegie Mellon Sept. 2. The team is led by head coach Larry Kindbom, who is entering his 29th year of coaching at Wash. U., and a strong core of senior captains: Garris Goe, Nate Lowis, David Nees and Andrew Ralph.

IMG_9280Freshman Press Photo Team

The Washington University football team practices at Francis Field. For freshmen, adjusting to a college team can be a transition, but the Bears seek to ease this transition for players.

While the team prides itself on senior leadership, Wash.U. also has an exciting group of freshmen coming in this season. With these players entering such a different environment than they are used to, it is often interesting to see how they integrate into the team during the preseason. Among these freshman is Keenan Bilyeu, a defensive lineman from Louisville, Ky. While there are a lot of big changes between high school and college football, timing was the biggest difference for Bilyeu.

“In high school, everything is so condensed; so you have a lot more free time,” Bilyeu said. “But here, you’ve got to be focused on the program.”

The speed and strength of the players were another big difference that Bilyeu struggled with at first.

“The first time I pass rushed, I got thrown flat on my face,” Bilyeu recalled with a chuckle.

With a long, grueling season ahead of them, Bilyeu expressed how big of a role the upperclassmen have played in his development so far.

“We really look to the upperclassmen for help,” said Bilyeu.

The shift from high school football to college football can be difficult for freshmen at first. The shift for Bilyeu has been especially hard due to the different defensive formation Wash. U. plays.

“Back at my high school, we played more of a 3-4 instead of a 4-3,” Bilyeu stated.

However, Bilyeu reaffirmed his gratitude for the support of the upperclassmen in helping with his shift from high school to college.

“It’s really great being on the field and having them [upperclassmen] help you know where to be.”

On the field, the upperclassmen act as player-coaches, making sure that the new players get a better feel for the much faster college game.

While the freshmen and upperclassmen have begun to unify on the field, they have also been doing team-building off the field. The team has filled their summer with a mix of fun and seriousness to both improve and bond as a team.

“The whole team is full of great guys,” said Bilyeu. “Football teams can sometimes be cliquey, but this year it’s more of a home, more of a community.”

Among the activities that create this community are songs performed by the freshmen. “We get to sing songs for the entire team,” Bilyeu said.

Bilyeu’s song apparently impressed the coach, as he claims that the coach asked him to sing a second song.

“Coach asked me to sing a second song, so I got up and sang ‘Before He Cheats’ by Carrie Underwood,” he said. “After I sang, Coach shouted: ‘Now, that’s how you do it!’”

In addition to singing, Bilyeu is also a very skilled chess player and the football team has used his skills as another way to bond as a team this summer, with the first-year lineman acting as the resident chess expert. “Interesting fact about me: I’m a 4-time state chess champion. I’ve played chess against a few of the guys on the team, and some of them even come to me for help, so I guess that’s pretty cool.”

With the new season rapidly approaching, the football team appears to be clicking on all cylinders both on and off the field. The football team’s new slogan this year is “Plant the Flag.” In order to fully integrate new players into a team, they all must be on board with the team’s direction.

“‘Plant the Flag’ means to expand our borders to different towns and schools.” Bilyeu said when asked what the new slogan meant to him. “It means that we will leave our mark so [other schools] not only fear the Wash. U. name, but also respect it, as well.

Sophomore defensive lineman Jeff Gurley stated that the new slogan means to push through difficulty for the good of the team.

“No matter what we do, we always have to do what it takes to get the win.” Gurley said. With both the freshmen and upperclassmen on the same page, Wash. U. looks to lay the groundwork for a successful season. Keenan Bilyeu is one of many freshman who are enjoying their Wash.U. careers so far. “I love the campus, practices, and all the guys on the team…definitely love the food.” Bilyeu said. “We’re all ready to show the entire country what Wash. U. football is about.” Bilyeu and the rest of this year’s freshman class will hope their positive introduction leads into a season that will be full of singing, chess and success.

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