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[Reporter] Spring Football Preview were here today
talking with running backs coach KiJuan Ware.
coach Ware first of all congratulations.
You pretty much had to hit the ground running
when you got hired and joining
Western Illinois right before the start of Spring football practice.
How's your transition been here to the Leathernecks?
[Coach KiJuan Ware] Well the transition has been great
the people in the Macomb community have been awesome.
You know warming, they love football and been very supportive.
[Reporter] How's your transition to the coaching staff been for you so far?
[Coach KiJuan Ware] All of the coaches have been great as well.
Each and every day you know coach Ruse and I
have an opportunity to talk and just try to learn
his style, his philosophy working with offensive
line coach you know first hand what helps out a lot as well.
So we have a really good chemistry building.
[Reporter] For you personally when you took the job
what was one of the selling points for Western Illinois?
[Coach KiJuan Ware] Well first of all
coach Henderickson did a really good job
talking about the staff, the players,
the community and that it's a close knit group.
And that's something that I really enjoy.
I really enjoy being around people who really enjoy the game
and want to learn and embrace football itself.
[Reporter] You've had a very quick turn around
time on your evaluation of the running backs.
But, What can you tell us so far from what you've seen?
[Coach KiJuan Ware] Well the group...the group works hard.
That's one thing that group has their...their..their hard workers.
There is a leader Caulton Ray
He...he stepped out he stepped up
and showed us what he can do.
I feel Bryce...Bryce Flowers can be a really good help.
I haven't had a chance to evaluate him because he's injured.
But, the big surprise for me this camp
has been Larry Patterson the walk on running back.
He's...he's been the tremendous surprise.
He fun to work with he excepts coaching.
He's able to translate that on the field pretty quickly.
[Reporter] What's it like to have a guy like
Caulton Ray come back a 1,000 yard rusher
and knowing that he's going to be complimented
with Bryce Flowers once he get's back
and healthy and like you said
a good group of fullbacks and also a guy like
Larry Patterson certainly start to come on.
[Coach KiJuan Ware] Well the group has been strong
and I always tell those guys
that we are only as strong as our weakest link.
And as long as each and every single one of them
continue to work hard and progress
were going to be a very strong unit.
[Reporter] Our Spring Football Preview continues
here today with junior running back Caulton Ray.
Caulton let's talk about the Spring so far
how have you seen your team progress.
[Caulton Ray] Our team is progressing really well
we got a few injuries, we got we also have a few
young guys stepping up so it's good to see them
progressing and doing well.
And we also got a few new coaches.
And our offense is also doing pretty good
along with our defense.
[Reporter] A 1,00 yard rusher last year
*** your first year with the program.
You arrived just in time for Spring drills last year.
So hear in year 2 has it been any easier for you than year 1?
[Caulton Ray] Ah the tempo is always fast
but, you know it's a little bit..little bit easier
now that I know the system a little bit better
I can help out the young guys
and help out the offense a little bit more .
But, it's..it's going really well.
[Reporter] Your entire running back crew
as you said a couple injuries.
You haven't really been at full strength yet.
You got you still feel you guy been able
to make some progression practice in and practice out?
[Caulton Ray] Yeah, were normally pretty deep
but, a little slim now but were still progressing
I mean you know everybody's working hard
were getting extra reps so with those extra reps
were only getting better so it's still going good.
[Reporter] Last year obviously making the playoffs
how important was that playoff run for you returners
heading into this year just having that experience under your belt?
[Caulton Ray] It was great to be able to turn
the program around and now that it's a new year
were looking to go in the same direction.
With...with..with the whole team and you know everybody's
on board the coaches are on board
and were just...were just trying to go in the right direction.
[Reporter] Looking ahead to this coming Fall
do you have any goals set in mind for you?
[Caulton Ray] Well the team well of course
go back to the playoffs personal goal.
Just no fumbles another 1,000 yard season.
And just to help everybody help everybody
on the team out with whatever they need.
[Reporter] Looking forward to this Saturday
wrapping it up with the annual Spring game?
[Caulton Ray] Most definitely...most definitely!
[Reporter] Alright Caulton Ray we'll see you out on the field
and ending on a high note.