It's preseason no more for the Lincoln Blue Tigers.
Headed into today's season opener on the road, head coach Mike Jones couldn't help but speak of his senior leadership as the main difference with this season's team.
Lincoln travels to Langston University with hopes of changing around the program's prolonged struggles.
Jones has five years under his belt with the Blue Tigers and has a career coaching record of 7-37. But he feels relieved to have 22 seniors this year compared to last season's 12. That group led the team to a 2-9 record, with five of them by a touchdown or less. After the team's first scrimmagetwo weeks ago, Jones admitted the program dealt with fights last year.
This season has been a different story.
"Not tolerating being undisciplined," Jones said of this season's team. "When the coaches don't have to address the problems, now we know we can do a better job of coaching. The stuff that was happening from an immature team is not happening in camp.
"Our leadership is light years ahead of where it was last year. Hopefully, the leadership and the work ethic will reflect our play."
The Blue Tigers return 15 starters from a season ago.
Jones went on to talk about how the 2013 team had a similar chemistry to this year's group.
"Two years ago we were close," he said. "I thought those guys were great leaders. This group right here is on par when it comes to leadership. I think we got some good pieces to add to it. So, I'm excited about the guys. I know it's not going to be easy, but with the leadership that we have, we'll be able to match it."
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ON DEFENSE, THE Blue Tigers return eight starters in their 4-4 formation. Senior cornerback Robert Daniels and senior strong safety Paul Dodson are two of the more noteworthy defenders returning in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. They were All-GLVC honorees and 2015 preseason USA College Football All-Americans.
"We need them to play at that level," Jones said.
Freshman Darren Williams will play opposite to Daniels and junior Marvin Holley rounds out the secondary at free safety.
Senior Treston Pulley, who represented Lincoln at the GLVC media day this fall, will lead the linebackers with classmate Jeremy Rives and sophomore Addison Tucker.
"Pulley is without a doubt the captain of this team," Jones said. "Our linebacking crew is the heart and soul of the defense and they have to play well like they did last year."
Senior defensive tackle Eric Howard returns after leading the team in sacks with 41/2 last season. Howard will be lined up next to senior James Jackson. Senior Anthony McMillian and sophomore Julius Jackson will man the defensive end positions.
"Eric Howard has had a heck of a camp," Jones said. "(Sophomore defensive tackle) Anthony Anderson has done a phenomenal job. He maybe had the best camp out of everybody. Where he was last year and where he is now, he is 200 percent better than where he was."
Anderson is currently listed as the backup defensive tackle.
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ON OFFENSE, SENIOR Owen Jordan will try and pick up where he left off last season as the starting quarterback. He was Jacob Morris' backup until a concussion kept Morris out after playing in the season-opening loss to Langston in the Missouri Classic at Arrowhead Stadium.
Morris was held out of preseason activities, and hasn't made a decision whether to return to the team, according to Jones. Morris is not currently listed on the team roster.
Jordan was awarded All-GLVC honorable-mention honors after throwing 12 touchdowns for 1,867 yards. He also threw 10 interceptions in his first season back from shoulder surgery.
"He's gotten stronger. He's been working hard in the weight room to rehab that shoulder," Jones said. "This is the strongest he's been. You can see he has put a lot of effort in getting himself in good shape."
Jones has seen Jordan turn into a leader during the preseason, even mentioning the quarterback participated in running back and wide receiver sprints when he wasn't required to.
"He's gotten better," he said. "The guys that are around him see what he's about, how he's approached (being the starter). Those younger guys understand that he's setting a standard."
Jordan's protectors will be junior left tackle Jonathan Nava, senior left guard Dwayne Larkin, freshman center Alec Wallingsford, junior right guard Jaleen Carey and senior right tackle Kenyachti Beech.
Sophomore quarterback Dennis Vinson is listed as the backup on the depth chart.
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THE WIDE RECEIVERS face the task of making up for the loss of now-graduated Khiry Draine, who caught nine touchdown passes and compiled 1,011 receiving yards.
Junior wideout Darrius Hicks holds the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. Junior Delvon Rouser, junior Bryson Winfrey and senior Vanzell Richardson follow as the projected starters. Winfrey was the second-leading receiver a season ago with 34 catches for 291 yards and one touchdown reception.
"We got to have a guy step up and take (Draine's) spot, or multiple guys," Jones said. "Everyone's role is to challenge for that.
"Our wide receivers are catching the ball a lot better. They take pride in not having drops. We look at film and our drops are down 60-70 percent from last year. That's the biggest thing. You can't do anything without catching it."
Freshman Antwon Davis made an impression in the preseason and could find time in the receiving game.
"The surprise of the camp has been Antwon Davis," Jones said. "Every camp he's had like two touchdowns. Our guys have had a hard time covering him."
Also needing to replace a big contributor are the running backs, who have to replace the 1,251 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns former starter Morris Henderson had last year.
But the position is an intriguing one with two juniors who have both played for Division I schools. Junior-college transfer and former Texas A&M running back Will Randolph sits atop the two-deeps this week. Miles Drummond, a Missouri transfer, is the No. 2 back.
"Those guys are close," Jones said.
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THE SPECIAL TEAMS, as usual, are led by kicker Andrew Fishel.
The junior returns for his third season on the job. Fishel has 67 combined PATs to his name, which is a Lincoln record.
Senior Eddie Rodriguez will man the punting duties. Hicks will continue to return kicks alongside Richardson, who will also take back punts.
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THE BLUE TIGERS are in search of their first season-opening win since 2011.
Lincoln and Langston have met on 61 occasions, as it's Lincoln's longest rivalry. The Lions lead the series 39-20-2, and have won the previous eight meetings. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
"It's going to be a great challenge for us and a great opportunity for us as well," Jones said. "We lost by one last year and we've been looking at this game as an opportunity to redeem ourselves."
Lincoln will open its second GLVC season Sept. 19 at Quincy. The Blue Tigers host their season opener Sept. 12 against Saint Francis (Ill.).
If Lincoln can pull off a win against Langston, it will be the 250th win in program history.