Sat, Nov 22 2008
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Published September 04, 2008 09:59 pm - Hilldale ex makes most of start as freshman By Kenton Brooks
Phoenix Sports Writer Zack Wallace watched the Todd Graham press conference and heard his name being mentioned by the University of Tulsa head football coach. There was Graham saying Wallace, a Hilldale High School graduate, would start as a true freshman at strongside linebacker for the Hurricane in their season-opening game against Alabama-Birmingham. “After a few practices, I had been working with the first-team guys,” Wallace said. “To be honest, I wanted to learn as much as I could and as fast as I could. When coach Graham talked about me a little bit, I knew I had to do really well or at least do my job. “Yeah, I was a little bit nervous.” Those nerves were soon gone. “I had older guys helped me stay calm,” Wallace said. “Nick Bunting (a former TU linebacker) told me about the time when he played as a freshman. He told me, ‘Keep your head in he game. Play with a passion, but don’t get too fired up and go crazy out there.’ After that first tackle, it was just football.” Wallace would eventually finish with seven tackles, tied for second on the team in the Hurricane’s 45-22 Conference-USA victory against the Blazers last Saturday. Defensively, the Hurricane were depleted at linebacker by graduation after last season and Wallace came in and made impression right away. “He reminds me of (all-conference selection) Chris Chamberlain,” Keith Patterson, the Hurricane’s defensive coordinator, said. “Zack’s one of the hardest workers we have on the team. He’s an intelligent player. He’s going to get better each and every week.” This week, the Hurricane play a non-conference game at North Texas. The game takes on a special meeting for Wallace as he reunites with former Hilldale teammate Charley Brown, a defensive tackle for the Mean Green. “I talked to him (on Labor Day). He called to congratulate me on my game,” Wallace said. “I asked him how he’s been doing down there. I’m looking forward to seeing him.” Even more than a reunion on Saturday, Wallace looks forward to playing another game. 
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