ITHACA, N.Y. -- The seconds ticked down as the yearly conditioning test came to an end. The group of Cornell players cheering on the sidelines gave the runner an extra boost, and he crossed the finish line with a second to spare. Nearly 100 members of the Big Red football team erupted.

Head coach David Archer '05 passed the conditioning test, something he admits he couldn't have accomplished this past spring.

"After 10 years as a head coach, it was important to connect with the players in a different way," Archer said. "I wanted to demonstrate to them that hard work will pay off, and that we're competing against ourselves, not anyone else, as we prepare for the 2022 season."
 
Minutes earlier, to raucous cheering, Archer announced he would take the conditioning test. It wasn't out of the blue – Archer spent the summer working out in preparation for the yearly opportunity to show offseason conditioning gains. Strength and conditioning coach Jay Andress timed him out on the field throughout the summer. So did Zach Hart, the team's Senior Director of Player Personnel. Even Archer's wife, Hannah, took turns with the stopwatch.

Archer put it all together on Wednesday and was able to beat the time assigned to the offensive linemen, with the 40-year-old former Big Red captain and three-year starter reminding the team that they are all in -- together.

The Big Red hit the field for its first practice on Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. just 31 days from kickoff at VMI on Sept 17, but marched back off the field less than 30 minutes later when a lightning storm rolled through. They got back on the field at 8:30 pm. and finished just after 10.

First-year Cornell assistant football coach Andrew Dees, the lone new face on the coaching staff, worked with the running backs - a group that carried the ball just 19 times total a year ago - in one section of Schoellkopf Field.

Special teams coordinator Chad Nice presided over a group that must replace its place-kicker, punter and find someone for kickoffs and punt returns. Then, a period later, he moved over to a wide receivers group that, excepting fifth-year All-Ivy receiver Thomas Glover, has combined for 10 catches for 35 yards in their Big Red career.

Offensive line coach Sean Cascarano looked at his offensive line in the southeast corner in the shadow of the historic crescent and saw just one returning starter staring back at him.

They represented some of the position groups expecting to revamp the lineup after 2022 commencement. Each of them had a smile on their face.
 
While losing more than 50 seniors from last season's roster might sound daunting, it just means new opportunities for new faces. And those new faces came ready to take their shot when the 2022 Cornell football season kicked off on Wednesday.

Archer's conditioning test set an energetic tone for a short camp - classes begin for the Big Red on Monday, just five practices into preseason. By the time they get into full pads, each student-athlete will have two days of classes in the rearview.

And an enduring memory of their head coach turning on the jets to pass the preseason conditioning test.