SpringfieldNewsSun.com

SPRINGFIELD — The temperature soared past 90. Practice ended. The players headed to the locker room.

Some didn't even get that far before stripping off their pads and uniform tops and hopping in a trash can full of cold water.

There's nothing fancy about football — not even in the way the players cool down. Wittenberg University coach Joe Fincham helpfully pointed out that you can rig up the same setup at home. Just get a garbage can and a hose, and turn on the water.

This was Aug. 21, a mere 15 days before the Tigers' season opener against Olivet on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Edwards-Maurer Field.

With the memory of last year's 8-2 record and the knowledge that nine defensive starters and seven offensive starters — and 45 letterwinners in all — return from that team, not even a trash can full of water can dampen the expectations for 2008.

"We've got a lot of guys coming back, coming off a decent year for us," said junior quarterback Aaron Huffman, entering his third season as the starter. "Having that many guys back, it just puts that much more pressure on you. We expect big things."

Of all the returning starters, none will be scrutinized more than Huffman. He led the Tigers to a share of the North Coast Athletic Conference championship in 2006, and his numbers improved dramatically in 2007, even as the Tigers finished second in the NCAC because of a 24-17 loss at Wabash.

So far in the preseason, Huffman looks like a player who has started 20 straight games.

"He sees more of the field. He reacts to things," Fincham said. "He's not as mechanical because he's not up there thinking. He has a lot more rhythm to him, and I think he has some familiarity with his receivers."

The top returning receiver is senior Patrick Williams, who set Wittenberg's single-season receiving mark in 2007 with 56 catches. Sophomore Anthony Kralich, junior Mat Guida and freshman Josh McKee, a Tecumseh grad, give Huffman even more options in the passing game.

"Pat and I definitely have a good relationship on the field throwing the ball around," Huffman said, "but we're not trying to get it to just him this year."

The presence of so many players who contributed last season doesn't make Fincham the most confident coach in the nation. Like most coaches, his questions won't be answered until he sees his team play on Saturdays.

"I think a lot of coaches would say this, but the longer you're at it, the less you know," said Fincham, now in his 13th season as head coach. "I don't know if it has anything to do with being further away from the age of the players, but I haven't got my hands around these guys yet. I think we have the chance to be a good team."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351

or djablonski@coxohio.com.