The Reclamation Initiative | The Coaching Career of Nico Augustine

[The JZA]

TCU said

Gotta shoot the fair one in the future

[Captain Canada]

ACC continues year-to-year reshuffle, California and Stanford opt for "growing" PAC-12 conference
Jenna McDougle | ESPN

The college sports landscape has shifted dramatically again. The ACC’s hybrid membership—with Stanford, Cal, and SMU serving as far-flung Western outliers—has grown increasingly untenable. Escalating travel costs, declining television ratings for cross-country games, and growing discontent from student-athletes over the strain of East Coast-heavy schedules all fuel pressure for change.

Meanwhile, a rebranding effort on the West Coast quietly gathers momentum. Oregon State and Washington State, the two “left-behind” programs from the original Pac-12 collapse, have kept the Pac-12’s legal framework alive, operating a small but stable conference with Mountain West partnerships under the “Pac-West Alliance” banner.

With the framework for Clemson and Florida State leaving the ACC for greener pastures now set in motion from Florida State's lawsuit being settled last year, Stanford and Cal have decided to fly the coop and latch their bearings onto the PAC-12, now gathering steam for a major revamping.

Stanford athletic director John Donahoe had this to say in a statement released to the public mere hours after news broke of the reshaping. “We joined the ACC out of necessity, not geography. The ecosystem has changed again—perhaps now, it’s time to come home.”

[James]

Bring back the SWC!!

[Soapy]

look at my son

Bring back the SWC!!

going back to regional conferences would be fire

[Captain Canada]

look at my son

Bring back the SWC!!

going back to regional conferences would be fire

Coulda swore you were my lil brudda

[Captain Canada]

SMU, Coach Augustine embracing quarterback battle ahead of training camp
By Veronica Downs | SMU Daily

During the mid-season struggles last season with senior starting quarterback Ryder Burton, analysts and Mustangs faithful would often call for backup quarterback Skylar Williams to get an opportunity to fight for the job. After all, every time he was thrust into the role, he would play exceptionally well Now, he has every opportunity to be handed the keys to the roster.

Redshirt freshman and former five-star recruit Alonzo Cheesemen has something to say about that.

"There were certainly opportunities that Skylar [Williams] got a lot of thought to become the guy," commented offensive coordinator Tony Sanchez, heading into his second year with the Mustangs after leading one of the top offenses in the country last year. "Every day in practice during those weeks, he was afforded every opportunity to take the job. We just thought, at the time, that Ryder [Burton] was the best guy for the job."

Williams, who came in from Kennesaw State as a transfer recruit to fight for the starting job last season, sat behind Burton and opted this year to fight one more time. As a redshirt junior, Williams is hoping to connect with head coach Nico Augustine and be molded into the next Heisman Trophy-winning player for the offensive virtuoso.

"You look at what he was able to do [at Arkansas State] with Jaylen Raynor, and what he was able to uncork last season with Jeremy [Payne], you automatically want to be in a position to have your potential untapped," commented Williams on his decision to return. "I've never ran from a fight, and I'm not about to start now."

Williams has taken the first-team reps so far, including in this past weekend's spring game. He ripped off for an impressive 20-yard touchdown run during the game and completed an impressive 80% of his passes. He connected with incoming transfer tight end Dwayne Kasay in an end-zone corner ball that had the perfect amount of touch on it.

Coach Augustine has commended the strides the redshirt junior has taken over the off-season. "He took a great foundation that we were able to build last year, and built on it. He came to camp ready for a bar fight, and I commend him for his competitive spirit in a day & age where the door is always open to leave for a different opportunity."

Cheeseman is a whole different story. A late addition last season after spurning TCU to join the Mustangs, he took his redshirt in stride and sat for the first time in his entire life.

"It was a strange but enriching experience for me," said Cheeseman. "You always want to be playing, but to be in that scenario, you want to be a sponge. Absorb all of the information and learning experiences that you can."

Cheeseman has had a few opportunities with the first-team himself, not nearly as much as Williams but enough. He hooked up with star wide receiver J.J. Harrell on a 65-yard bomb through the air, showing off his incredible arm strength.

"He's got the best mechanics of the bunch, that one," commented Sanchez when speaking of Cheeseman. "He's the best natural thrower of the guys. He really has a knack for putting the ball where it needs to be. He's not often off the mark."

Coach Augustine has been quiet on who is currently winning the battle, telling the media that they will know when he does.

"They both have earned the opportunity of a true quarterback battle, so I will be giving them both every chance to be a difference maker."

[Soapy]

i dare you nigga

[Captain Canada]

i dare you nigga

We'll start the right man for the job.

[six7]

CHEESE! bring on el queso

[redsox907]

bring on da cheese