𝗔𝗖𝗨 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗦: 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Courtesy Evan Nemec/ACU Athletics
Abilene Christian head football coach Keith Patterson is known to recite a verse from Psalm 90 to his team: "Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom." For Patterson, the message is though an event, such as the FCS National Championship game, feels far away it really is closer than you think. The Wildcats' fifth-year head coach believes knowing how many days are left gives purpose to each meeting, workout and practice as the team works to its ultimate goal.
At the end of fall camp's first practice on Wednesday morning, Patterson framed the brevity of the season another way: by the time ACU heads to Beaumont for the first game against Lamar, 45% of the team's practices for the entire regular season will have already happened.
"I can't even explain how important that [makes fall camp]," senior defensive tackle Kortlin Rausaw said. "One, it's going to fly. It's going to be over before you even know it. But it also just goes to show you, we can't waste this time because Lamar is going to be right around the corner."
One-hundred-and-one players were suited up for the opening practice, which is up from 94 players at the start of fall camp in 2025. Patterson believes there is more depth in number and quality across the board, something that Rausaw says was evident in terms of the number of reps for each player.
"We're rotating a lot more, so we all have to make the best of our opportunity," said Rausaw. "We gave all effort. We were flying around defensively for sure. I think we can 100% build off of this."
"We are trying to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to be evaluated and define their role on our football team," added Patterson.
Except for a week off around the Fourth of July, the Wildcats have all been in town this summer lifting weights, running and taking part in organized team activities. That's a change compared to the start of Patterson's time as a college coach when 'Report Day' actually meant players returning to campus from their summer away. For some it makes the first practice really feel more like a continuation of the work that's been put in the past two months. But, there still is a fresh energy around this day.
"The excitement for me comes in trying to mold them into a team now," said Patterson.
The back-to-back United Athletic Conference champions will continue practices until the season-opener on Aug. 29 at Lamar.
