After one week of football practice, Lincoln coach Steven Smith didn't hesitate to say his team has a long way to go as he begins his second season with the Blue Tigers.
"There's still no light at the end of the tunnel," he said. "We're being a little bit more disciplined, a little bit more focused on controlling our turnovers and making sure we don't have any turnovers.
"They've had some good days, they've had some bad days."
As Lincoln prepares for the 2018 season, Smith knows play has to improve on offense.
The Blue Tigers are coming off a 1-9 season in which they totaled 10 offensive touchdowns in 10 games. They ranked third-to-last in NCAA Division II in scoring offense with 11.5 points per game.
Turnovers also played a major role in Lincoln's struggles, as the Blue Tigers committed 27 of them in 2017. Lincoln was second-to-last in Division II in turnover margin at minus-21.
"Mainly ball security, making the right decisions at the quarterback position, getting the running back through traffic, securing the ball and making sure it's not hanging out," Smith said. " A lot of those things we focused on in the spring, and we'll continue to focus on them now in camp."
The Blue Tigers had a young roster last season, and to prepare for the upcoming season - which begins Sept. 1 against Lane College in Memphis, Tenn. - Smith is creating competition at all offensive positions.
"Our quarterback competition has gotten even stronger," Smith said. Drake Davidson, a true freshman in 2017, finished the season as Lincoln's starter behind center. This preseason, however, he's battling against Henry Ogala and Chancellor Johnson, a transfer from Albany State.
"That's been the biggest thing for us, to put people behind people to compete," Smith said. "Now you have three guys competing to be the starter. When you have competition, it makes your level of play go higher. At no point can you drop that level of play."
The same goes at the running back position, with returning players Kimbo Ferguson and Terry Hunter being challenged by Hosea Franklin, who redshirted last season.
All 11 positions have at least two players battling for starting roles less than three weeks before the season opener.
On offensive line, Smith said he is seeing plenty of promise.
"We've got size," Smith said. "All four of our tackles are 6-foot-6 or 6-7. We've got good size and they play physical. With the way our D-line is playing right now, it helps us continue to be physical every day."
Last season, Smith set a lofty goal for his team to score 49 points per game - 35 on offense, seven on defense and seven on special teams. The Blue Tigers reached 49 points in their only win against Lincoln (Pa.) but failed to score more than 14 points in any other game.
Smith has dialed that number back to 35 points - 21 on offense, seven on defense and seven on special teams. But he has a specific reason for that.
"We want a big time of possession," Smith said. "If we have a strong run game, then we have a strong time of possession. If we can (score 35 points) and have a 35-minute time of possession, that's a good game."
The offense isn't the only aspect Smith is trying to improve at Lincoln.
"The biggest thing we improved on was building a culture to win, getting guys to understand that that's the most important thing," he said. " We have to win. It's not an option. It's not something that we choose to do. It's something we have to do."
III
In addition its seven Great Lakes Valley Conference games, Lincoln added four nonconference contests to round out the 2018 schedule.
After the season opener against Lane - which Lincoln defeated 12-9 in their previous meeting in 2016 - the Blue Tigers will have four days to prepare for a Sept. 6 game against Missouri State in Springfield.
"I played in the Missouri Valley (Conference), so I know how tough it is," said Smith, who played collegiately at Southern Illinois. " We can't go in with our eyes closed, I'll tell you that."
Lincoln's home opener is Sept. 15 against Wisconsin-Oshkosh, which finished 12-1 last season and reached the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Championships.
"I believe if your players play, it doesn't matter who you play, if they do what they're supposed to do and are disciplined," Smith said.
The Blue Tigers' last nonconference game is Nov. 3 at Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas.