Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina continues its preseason practice on Wednesday afternoon with its third practice in helmets and shoulder pads – or shells – as the squad gears up for the eight-game, conference-only spring 2021 schedule. Wednesday's session is the fifth of the preseason for the Catamounts who played three nonconference road games in the fall portion of the 2020-21 schedule.
 
The Catamounts put on the shoulder pads for the first time since the fall finale at North Carolina on Sunday (Jan. 24) afternoon in a 12-period practice session. Following an off-day on Monday that coincided with the spring semester opening of virtual classes in Cullowhee, practice resumed on Tuesday in the afternoon timeslot for the team's in-season schedule.
 
"Our energy through each practice so far has been really good," said WCU head coach Mark Speir. "The players are doing a good job of managing their emotions as far as us holding them back early on by limiting the contact and having shorter practice times. But, they're really taking care of each other and we're practicing well between the offense and defense."
 
One concern WCU's coaching staff had entering this spring preseason camp was getting back up to game-speed with the physical conditioning coming off the three fall games and nearly a month-long holiday break.
 
"While we're not where we need to be, I do feel good about our conditioning levels with such a quick turnaround from the fall and the holidays. Overall, the guys have been really focused on the fundamentals and techniques, and our coaches are doing a great job demanding that and it's showing up in film sessions."
 
Speir feels that the number of practices and three games in the fall combined with the preseason workouts this spring have helped his squad's depth and the overall improvement of many of his young players.
 
"Since the fall, we've had a lot of our younger players make some major strides, especially along our defensive front on the line and linebackers, and at the wide receiver spot on offense. We had a lot of youth making some freshman mistakes in the fall – which you would expect – but the experience from the three games in the fall and our practice time has helped them come along. I feel that our two transfer quarterbacks have picked up the offense very well. We've got several guys getting a lot of reps and hope to narrow down the pecking order soon, but we feel confident in that group."
 
He concluded, "We've still got a long way to go, but I've noticed a lot of improvement and growth."
 
In compliance with ongoing COVID protocols and with the on-going construction on the façade of the Ramsey Center, each of WCU's preseason practices is closed to the public.
 
After officially adding nine in the early signing period in mid-December, Speir and his staff look to complete the incoming class on the traditional National Signing Day set for Wednesday, February 3. Two of the nine inked in the early period are already on campus as mid-semester enrollees including defensive lineman Timothy Jamison (Hutchinson CC / White Knoll HS) and defensive back Rod Gattison (Georgia Military College / Hartsville HS).
 
The Catamounts open the spring season at chromatic conference-rival Furman on Sat., Feb. 20 at Paladin Stadium in Greenville, S.C. Kickoff is set for 2 pm with an anticipated limited seating capacity.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount Football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports) and Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountsFB).