2024 Union football season preview

Barbourville, Ky. – The Union Commonwealth University football team begins the 2024 regular season on Saturday, Sept. 7, with a home game against Cumberland (Tenn.) at 1:00 p.m.

The 2024 season is a special campaign for the Bulldogs as it marks the 40-year anniversary of football returning to Union. For more information on that, click here.

With the Bulldogs set to begin their season, here is a Q&A with head coach John Luttrell.

What are your general thoughts on the upcoming season?

We've progressed each year. Last year, we finished 4-6. We felt like we left a couple games on the field. I've told our team from day one; to me success for us is a winning season. I think that's how we measure success. We got a 10-game season so that means for us to be successful we win six games.

There is more parody in the conference. I think the conference is getting recognized as a more competitive conference as well. So, it's going to be tough each week. We've got good talent. We're still young, but I think the key is for us to get started off on a good note this Saturday.

What are some of the strengths of this team?

I think the strength of our team last year and this year is defense. That's where we have the most returners; that's where we have the most maturity. We have the possibility of being a really good offense. We're starting a freshman QB. We're starting several freshman linemen.

When you look overall, we have a running back room that's to me is as good as you can find with Taji, DeMarco, and Jayden. You've got Tony Norman and Isaiah Johnson at receiver, who are very experienced.

If those guys can get through the fire early, especially the young guys; it could be probably one of the better offenses we've had here in several years. Defensively, I expect us to pick up where we left off. I expect us to be physical. I expect us to fly around the ball, and really cause trouble for opposing offenses.

How has camp gone?

It's been long. Last year, we played on an early week and it seemed rushed. This year, we didn't have an early week game; so it seems like it's went forever. I think we're all ready to play against somebody else; hit somebody else, and really just see where we stand. But, camp went well.

We're talented. Now it's about how quickly we come together. You can have all the talent in the world, but you've got to gel as a team. One of the things I tell them constantly is that culture eats talent for breakfast. That's something we've worked on here is establishing the right kind of culture where our players do things right on the field and off the field; and work hard every day to be the best version of themselves that they can be. That's as a student and as an athlete.

What are your thoughts on special teams this season?

We've got both kickers back; Dustin Brown and Griffin Fleming. We feel very confident in both of them. We added a freshman in Isaac Turner, who has an extremely strong leg. I feel pretty good about our kicking game with the experience we have back.

That's just as important as any offensive unit or defensive unit you'll put on the field. There are three phases to the game; not just two. Special teams can win or lose a game for you, and I feel pretty good about where we're at.

What are your thoughts on the 40 Years of Union Football celebration?

I think that you always need to understand where you came from. With those guys coming back, and seeing where this all started back. I think our guys will appreciate that. You have to know where you've been to know where you're going. That's part of it is this re-Union.

I think Dr. Washington has done a great job of getting out in the community and raising the support from the community, because it was such a big part of that 1984-86 era. The community was so involved with us, and I want those kids to see that.

I want our players to have that game day experience where the community is out in the stands watching us play and that game day atmosphere is just growing and getting better and better. The players feed off of that; that energy they get from that game day atmosphere.

I think that what we're doing and what Dr. Washington has put together is going to really add to that atmosphere that we really need to have here. Not only does it help the players on the field, but it also helps the student-body as a whole.

It makes that game day experience enjoyable. So, I look forward to it. You need to win obviously. Winning helps. So, the more games we can win, I think that will continue to build that atmosphere as well.