First Lumberjack Fall Practice in the Books
8/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
First Practice Photo Gallery
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin opened up its 2014 fall camp schedule Tuesday afternoon, holding its first practice of the season at the SFA practice field. It was the first of 24 fall practices for the `Jacks as SFA donned helmets and shorts for the hour and 15 minute practice.
The `Jacks ran through 15 periods on the completely revamped grass field, which underwent a major upgrade this summer. Following the completion of spring practices in April, the turf was torn up with a new foundation, drainage system and sprinkling system laid underneath a new Bermuda grass field. Tuesday marked the first time anyone was able to set foot on the new turf as players and coaches alike both gave the field high marks.
SFA spent the majority of practice working in individual groups as veterans and newcomers continued to adapt to the new schemes and techniques under the first year Lumberjack coaching staff. Practice concluded with a few periods of seven-on-seven drills, followed by a conditioning run as the `Jacks ease into the rigors of the fall schedule.
SFAJacks.com caught up with head coach Clint Conque following the first practice of the fall season to assess his thoughts on the progress of his team:
On his thoughts following the first practice of the season:
"We were really excited to get out here and finally use our new facility. Our administration did a great job of providing a quality surface for our players and it was something that was long overdue as it was the first upgrade to the field in about 35 years. I thought Dan Eason and his staff did a fantastic job over the summer of getting our guys in shape. They're bigger, they're stronger, they looked a little faster. Our veterans picked right up where we left off in spring ball and we were able to get a lot of work done on the field this summer thanks to the new NCAA legislation and that really put us ahead of the curve."
On how the freshman performed in their first collegiate practice:
"Well, they're still playing at Friday night speed, and we've got to get them caught up to Saturday night speed pretty quickly. But it's a process. You hold their hand and help them along the way, but at the same time, we don't slow down. We want to elevate their game quickly as we've got two weeks to get us to be the best team we can be from player one through 95."
On what stood out from the first practice:
"I thought our energy was really good today. You could tell guys were really excited to be back out here and get to work. There weren't very many missed assignments from the first team guys, but we've still got a lot of work to do. It's day one and we're still trying to install our offense wearing just helmets. There were a few too many balls on the ground - I thought we dropped a few passes that we should have caught, but that's part of just getting back to the speed of the game. I like the way the defense was flying around today. We're longer over there, a little bit bigger on the back end, and it really showed today."
On what the points of emphasis will be for fall camp:
"Right now, we're just fundamentally focusing on ourselves. I've really encouraged and challenged the team to focus on the details during this part of the process. Camp is a grind - its 24/7 for three straight weeks. I want them to focus on everything - how they sleep, how they eat, recovery, lifting, meetings, progressions, walk throughs - everything. These next two weeks are all about focusing on ourselves. We've got a long way to go fundamentally and some personnel decisions to make as we get through the course of camp, but I really like their attitude and their energy. If we work on the details and stay focused, I think some great things will happen to this team."
On coaching his son Zach for the first time:
"I've really tried to stay out of it, to be honest. (Offensive coordinator) Matt Kubik has done a phenomenal job coaching all our quarterbacks. Zach had the edge coming out of spring practices and he's taking the majority of the reps right now with the one. He had a great summer and really committed in the weight room and I think he matured a lot. But with that said, Joe Minden had a heck of a spring and summer as well. Just like any position, you better be good two deep, or more, and with Zach and Joe and Hunter Taylor, I think we've got three quality players at that position."
On any added pressure on Zach being the coaches son:
"I've tried very hard to make sure my interactions with him are the same as with any other player on that field and he knows nothing is guaranteed. He has to earn everything he is given, and probably do a little extra with that added pressure. He'll make mistakes but fortunately for him, and for Joe, they've got a veteran offensive line in front of them. They've got one of the best running backs in the entire nation behind them, and they've got some of the most explosive and experienced wide receivers in the conference on the ends. When you've got that much talent around you, it sets up whoever is back taking snaps for a very productive season."
On Gus Johnson's senior year:
"There are few players that I've been more impressed with than Gus. From taking care of his business in the classroom to his work ethic during spring and summer to providing a great attitude every single day, Gus has truly bought into our system and what we're trying to accomplish and he's setting himself up for a monster season. He and the rest of the seniors know what is at stake. This was their last first day of practice, and those sands in the hourglass are going to run out faster than they'd like. He and the rest of the seniors will be a big part of this team and hopefully they take full advantage of every practice and every opportunity they have this season, because it will be over before they know it."
-SFA-
