Before the team hit the field Friday, fans had the opportunity to take part in a bit of Horned Frog history Thursday during the team’s annual “Night of Champions” weight-lifting competition, as they witnessed a record-setting performance in squat. Sophomore center Blake Schlueter’s 870 lb. squat lift brought fans to their feet in amazement and had teammates looking on in disbelief.

Instead of the regular eight-week period it usually takes for players to reach their maximum lifting potential, the players had to do it in six weeks, head coach Gary Patterson said.

“As a head coach, it scares you to death,” Patterson said. “It’s one of those things where it takes guys to places they’ve never been before.”

Players were judged based on their power index, which is the combined weight of their lifts in bench press, squat and press clean, divided by the player’s weight.

Winners in their respective weight-class categories included redshirt freshman cornerback Rafael Priest, junior safety Brian Bonner, junior fullback William Jackson and sophomore defensive tackle Cody Moore.