SIOUX FALLS -- In sports, teams are sometimes called "well-oiled machines" when they are winning and "missing a part" in losing.

Fact is collegiate teams are not machines. Rather they are groups of young student-athletes with a common bond to compete with a goal to win while building life-time relationships with teammates and coaches. Finding success on the field requires athletic choreography that includes relentless effort in weight training, conditioning, coaching and strategy sessions, and lots of hard work that includes a lot of sweat and tears.

But that is just part of a team's mold. Successful teams are comprised of student-athletes that believe in each other, hang with each other and love each other. It is what has defined the University of Sioux Falls Football program for more than 20 years.

On Saturday afternoon, USF head coach Jed Stugart was pecking away on a whiteboard about practice plans for the next week as an offensive line position groups meeting led by coach Josh Breske was in session in the same room in the basement of Bob Young Field. Just outside that room in the ticketing area, another meeting with running backs only, led by offensive coordinator Dustan Hovorka, was discussing strategy and how to get better. In the Bubble, defensive players were meeting with coaches while freshmen were entrenched in gut buster workouts drill, led by athletic trainer Zach Mathers. On Sunday, the team listened to a talk by U.S. Senator John Thune about living a life of purpose. Add to that the pre-practice meetings, group lunches and dinners,scrimmages, and more, and a picture emerges of fall practice, which will move to game week preparation soon as the Cougars focus on a Thursday, Sept. 1 game at St. Cloud State.

As Stugart broke from his planning to talk about fall practice, his primary observation was the kinship and brotherhood that has defined his team since his arrival in 2010.  "It is just remarkable how these guys support each other – love each other. They are each other's biggest supporters, all of which makes our program a family," he said.

The brotherly demeanor of this team enables the student-athletes – 106 strong – to battle on the field while at the same time encouraging their brethren to push and succeed.

"I think the thing I am most pleased about this fall is how this team, with a lot of new faces, has once again has connected so well," said Stugart, who is in his seventh year at USF with a 53-16 record. "It shows their true character. We are seeing leadership from upper classmen, who are welcoming and mentoring the younger guys. And, the other new guys here have connected and done so nearly immediately. Beyond that we have had high energy practices where hard work has never ceased while having fun," he said.

A case in point. During the Friday  (August 19) practice, an overtime drill was broken into two teams. Some of the ones (starters) were matched with some twos and threes. On this Cougars' squad, it didn't matter who was on what team. These brothers battled like kids in the backyard, bristling with energy – wanting to win. As the session wound down, there was no winner, although each side voiced their belief that they had won after a play resulted in a TD but a flag for holding brought it back.

As a tiebreaker Coach Stugart asked each team to put a lineman back at the goal line with the objective of catching a punt from punter Stuart Vanden Heuvel. Whatever team executed the drill, or didn't drop the kick, would win.  It went back and forth for a few punts. When it was all said and done, a mishandled punt brought elation from one side, along with friendly competitive banter.

After a little fun between the groups, Stugart brought the team together in a huddle as they talked about the practice and progress of this fall session, which is more than a week gone. As he praised the team for their effort, the group listened intently. As his remarks concluded, Stugart asked the team to grab a hand and prayed together which is done every practice and postgame. It is another action that defines the comraderie, if not closeness, of this group.

Day by the day this practice process is followed as the team works out kinks and new players learn USF's system as returners polish their game. Some days practices go great like Friday.  Other days, it is different with a mixture of good and bad always part of the learning. Always, this coaching staff and team leaders push responsibility to do one's job while always showing support, whether results are positive or otherwise.

The one consistent factor with the Cougars continues to be their love and respect for each other, as Stugart noted. It is what drives these group and has for 22 straight winning USF teams, which is the fifth longest winning season streak regardless of division in the nation.

The bond of this USF team shows up every day. Earlier in this week, one of the defensive newcomers, defensive back Delvin Batiste made a play in the secondary which drew emotion from the defense and a hug from defensive coordinator Tremaine Jackson. Another time, a failed play meant a few sideline pushups, led by team leaders. Another play this week involved Josh Angulo, who has 150 career catches and 2,115 receiving yards, hauling in a pass from two-time Harlon Hill candidate Luke Papilion for a TD in the right corner of the end zone. It too brought a charge of spirit from the offensive group, which rushed to congratulate him on a seriously difficult catch. Through it all, the energy of this squad never diminishes.

But that is the way with this team, notes Stugart. "They play for each other and they care for each other. Just watch them, you will feel energized too."

It is why this college football team is not a "well-oiled machine," but rather a congregation of brothers having fun while maintaining an inner drive and purpose to succeed.