KEARNEY, NE — There is no shortage of energy on Foster Field in Kearney.

The UNK Lopers kicked off preseason camp with more hype surrounding the team than any season in the last decade… but the weight of expectations didn’t show on Monday.

“The first day is always kind of like that," Head Coach Josh Lynn said. "We’ll see how it is as we get to practice 14 or something. It was great energy today, people flying around.”

Lynn’s team was picked second in the preseason conference poll and 12th in the country Lindy’s Division Two rankings.

“You kind of want it this way instead of the other way," Lynn said. "We were there when we were picked last. I think that’s a sign of a developing program. I will say this, we’ve got plenty of work left to do.”

Quarterback T.J. Davis and Safety Darius Swanson are returning All-Americans. They say the team isn’t distracted by its rising profile.

“It’s a lot of talk around town, a lot of talk around the MIAA, but were’ not focused about that at this point," Davis said. "We’re trying to get better and that’s what we’re out here doing.”

“We know we had a good season but we also had many hiccups throughout the year," Swanson said. "That’s in the past and we’re focused on Sep. 1 against (Missouri Southern).”

The players aren’t developing big egos, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling the electricity around town.

“Each year it gets more exciting. That’s one of the things that I love about Kearney, it’s a community collective effort," Davis said. "You’ll see everybody at the games.”

New to camp this year, daily game basketballs for the offense or defense and the top position group. Each winner signs the ball.

“At the end of camp, we’ll go through and we’ll give it out to one individual person or a position group as an award," Lynn said. "It’ll have the different comments on it and whatnot. It’s kind of a unique award.”

The Lopers have 17 more practices before game one.