ELON, N.C. -- As the first week of Elon Phoenix football practice is coming to a close, we caught up with senior receiver and newly elected team captain Jeremy Peterson for a quick chat.

What were your feelings coming into your final camp?
"It's kind of sad because I'm realizing my college football years are coming to a close.  It's tough to process that.  You try and come out here every practice and work hard."

There are a lot of new guys on the team this year.  As a captain, how do you help to lead them?
"When they came in in the summer, I was right on them.  I was making sure they were doing everything the right way.  I am going to make sure they stay on the right path.  If they make a mistake, we take them to the side and talk to them.  We were all in their shoes at one point.  We just try to calm them down and explain to them what they need to do.  We'll go over the play and them ask them about the play.  The we'll walk away and come back and ask them the same question again just to make sure they're comprehending the play.  They seem a little overwhelmed at times.  If coach isn't helping them, they're asking us questions.  We try and draw it up on paper for them."

With this being your second camp under Coach Jason Swepson, is the team more comfortable this year compared to last year?
"The comfort level is up there.  Last year, we were kind of like, 'Let's see how they coach us during the games.'  Now, in year two, we're all very tight.  We know that they know what they're talking about so we just try to execute on every play."

How does this camp compare to your other camps personally?
"I'm more excited about it this year.  I look back at the last three years, and I was always like, 'Oh, it's camp.'  Every day this year I come out here and just try and have fun."

Between now and Sept. 1 when you take on North Carolina, where do you feel like you need to improve the most?
"You can always get better at route-running.  I need to make sure I'm pumping my arms, getting in and out of my routes and getting into my turns.  You can also always work on catching the ball."

What are your goals, both personally and for the team, this year?
"I have a pretty good feeling about the season.  If you look at last year compared to this year, we were already sluggish.  This year, I feel we can be a top contender in the SoCon.  We know how hard we work and know what goals we want to achieve.  We will compete this year.  People won't just show us and walk over us.  They'll have to bring their 'A' game every week.  Personally, I have been working hard.  If you want to double cover Aaron Mellette, well, then you've got another receiver to worry about."

Being a North Carolina native, is the game at UNC extra special for you?
"It gets me pumped up.  I'm from Winston-Salem so I know I'll have a bunch of family and friends there.  There will be a big crowd there screaming and yelling.  I can't wait.  It will be a great feeling.  Most people see FBS as bigger, faster and stronger.  At the FCS level we also have big, fast, strong guys.  There may just be an inch or two that separates the FCS player from the FBS player."

As a reminder, season tickets are still available.  For more information on purchasing tickets, click HERE.  For information on the season ticket referral program, click HERE.

Upcoming 2012 Elon Phoenix Preseason Practice Schedule
(All practices are at the Hunt and Tucker practice fields unless otherwise noted)
Fri., Aug. 10 - 8:00 a.m.
Sat., Aug. 11 - 8:25 a.m.
Sat., Aug. 11 - 6:10 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 12 - 6:00 p.m. (Scrimmage; Rhodes Stadium)
Mon., Aug. 13 - 3:30 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 14 - 8:25 a.m.
Tues., Aug. 14 - 6:10 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 15 - 3:40 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 16 - 8:25 a.m.
Thurs., Aug. 16 - 6:10 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 17 - 3:40 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 18 - 3:00 p.m. (Scrimmage; Rhodes Stadium)
Mon., Aug. 20 - 8:25 a.m.
Mon., Aug. 20 - 6:10 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 21 - 3:40 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 22 - 3:40 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 23 - 3:40 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 24 - 12:30 p.m. (Scrimmage; Rhodes Stadium)
* Schedule subject to change