Bill Vilona 
GoArgos.com Senior Writer
 
Among the checklist of equipment items purchased prior to the University of West Florida's inaugural football season in 2016 was cold-weather gear.

Hand-warmers. Lined capes able to wrap over shoulder pads. Leggings.

Huh? For Pensacola?                                                      

Argos coach Pete Shinnick had clear purpose for the request. On Nov. 22, 2003, he took an Azusa Pacific team from southern California into Bismark, North Dakota for a first-round, NAIA playoff game against the University of Mary. 

Temperature at kickoff was 16 degrees. It was snowing. And his team was huddled in blankets donated by the local Salvation Army. 

"It might have been the worst-looking sideline you have ever seen," said Shinnick, laughing at the dubious memory. "Guys were wrapped in green, yellow, all different color blankets and wearing all different kinds of things. 

"And I said to myself that I am never, ever, going to put a team in that situation again."

The Argos were far more uniform, far more ready two years ago when playing Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), located about an hour from Pittsburgh, in the NCAA Division II national semifinal game that UWF won in low 30-degree temperature to reach the national championship. 

The comprehensive preparation and equipment packing was repeated this week as UWF prepares to travel Friday to Big Rapids, Mich. for Saturday's (2:30 p.m. CST) national semifinal game against unbeaten Ferris State. The forecast there is for mid-30's and likelihood of snow. 

Bring it on, the Argos say.

"You have to accept it. You can't hide from it, can't run from it," said senior linebacker Andre Duncombe, Jr., who grew up in Miami. "Back then, I remember a lot of guys said, 'We know it's cold, there is no sense thinking it was going to be warm.'

"We just embraced it, enjoyed the moment. We just said, 'Hey do you want to win, or do you want to go home?' And that's the message we have to take this week."

Just like in December 2017 when UWF prepared to go to IUP, the weather in Pensacola turned from balmy to chilly during the practice week. So the Argos got some feeling of temperature drop. 

This week, they have included putting hands in ice, using frozen footballs, and even having ice tossed around in practice.  

"We are doing things to just make it difficult," Shinnick said. "I think one of things I learned is we are going to talk about from day one and we're going to say it's not going to be an issue. 

"And then say to them, 'You guys gotta figure it out and you guys gotta get ready for it.' I felt like at IUP our guys handed it extremely well. The weather did not determine the outcome of the game. And that's what you want, you do not want the weather to determine the outcome of the game."

When they practiced the night before the 2017 game at Indiana, Pa., players went out without shirts on. Some players went out in pregame in short sleeves. 

"We have a lot of guys still on the team that played in that game," said senior center Devin Gibson, a three-year starter. "We're a seasoned group. I don't think it gets any worse than playing in 40-degree weather and a monsoon at West Georgia this year. I would rather take the snow all day compared to that. 

"We have a lot of guys embracing the cold. I really don't think it's going to be a factor Saturday and looking forward to playing there." 

The Argos have played – and won – in all kinds of weather during both playoff runs. It's what makes this second, bracket-busting, upset-filled, post-season run more pronounced. 

UWF is 7-0 in opponents' stadiums in the NCAA playoffs. The only loss was the neutral site, 2017 Division II national title game in Kansas City against Texas A&M Commerce. All of this has happened since the inaugural 2016 season.

"I just think it adds to the mystique of who we are and what we have accomplished," Shinnick said. "We have seven playoff wins. There are teams that have been around a long time that haven't played seven playoff games in their entire history. 

"It has been fun. And we are looking to go on the road again and try to keep this thing going."

Facing Ferris State on Saturday will be the fourth unbeaten, regional top-seed that UWF has faced in its two playoff journeys. The Argos have played in sun, rain, wind and cold. They've thrived on the road. This will be the third consecutive unbeaten team UWF has faced.

"We kinda embrace being the underdog," said Gibson. "And that's what our entire playoff mentality has been. Two years ago, it was the same thing and this year it was nothing different. 

"We kinda enjoy going into stadiums and quieting crowds. A lot of guys feed off that. I will say it would have been nice to play a game at home. But there is nothing wrong with having an undefeated (regular-season) record at home (as UWF did this year)."

Once UWF learned its playoff seeding and first-round opponent on Nov. 17 at the team banquet, Shinnick repeated the same message he told the players in 2017 when they were a surprise entry.

"Hey guys, we're in the playoffs. Anything can happen."

Said Duncombe: "Like coach Shinnick told us, it doesn't matter what you did in the regular season or what you did throughout history. All that matters is that one Saturday, this Saturday. Anything can happen."

For the seniors like Gibson and Duncombe, the idea of facing a finality in their football careers in these win-or-exit playoff games is another inspiration element. 

"It is a bittersweet moment," said Gibson, who earned his degree and graduated this semester. "I have been playing football my entire life. So I really am thankful I can play these extra games with guys I have been with for five years. 

"You just build relationships that otherwise most people in the world don't experience."

In 2017, the Argos reached the national semifinals on the strength of their defense. They had a shutout against Wingate in the first round, and held two Gulf South Conference rivals – West Georgia and West Alabama – in check with those teams' talented offenses. 

This season, they've won shootouts. They built leads, then answered late in the fourth quarter to win high-scoring games the past two weeks. 

In 2017 we were happy to be there and didn't know what to expect," Shinnick said. "In 2019, we really expect to win and find a way to do it. We talk about that. We just have to keep doing it."

In his seven years coaching at Azusa Pacific, Shinnick's teams reached the post-season five times, and the national semifinals twice.

In his first season there, all the games were played at home. In his second season, the team took a trip to Kansas, but the weather was not severe. 

Going to North Dakota was a shock. And that's why Shinnick learned to make sure the players are equipped, but also have the right mindset. 

"My southern California guys were just miserable," he said, laughing. "When we got here, I said we've got to purchase stuff because somewhere down the road, we're going to need it."

Like Saturday.