Tennessee State Tiger Camp Report: Day 11

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- An early morning practice led to a slow start for the Tennessee State football team which completed Thursday’s session at Hale Stadium. It took a while, but the squad eventually woke up and raised the tempo as the temperature rose as well.

“We came onto this field this morning a little sluggish,” head coach Rod Reed said. “This is about the midway point of fall camp and this is where you need to push through and break the rock… Championship teams have to come out and practice hard each and every day.”

The effort got stronger as the players went to seven-on-seven and team drills with the defensive line leading the charge. Tackles Anthony Bass, Jack Ndem and Samquan Evans clogged running lanes, broke up passes at the line of scrimmage and kept the offensive line occupied. The latter part was the key, as it allowed safety Daniel Fitzpatrick and linebacker Gregory Barksdale clear paths to the backfield on several occasions.
 

“The defensive line is doing a pretty good job getting penetration and knocking balls down. On the flipside our offensive line played well at times and opened up some holes,” Reed said.

Thursday also brought a sliver of clarity to TSU’s running back situation as Telvin Hooks looked like the 2012 version – the kind that averaged 5.7 yards per carry – en route to several long runs. Hooks got most of the reps with the first team while Tevin Spells got the majority of the rest. Each back made good reads and looked solid cutting in both directions.

TSU will try to come out with more intensity tomorrow when Big Blue hits the field at 9:15 a.m.

 

This Week's Practice Schedule
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #12 (FULL)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2013- 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #13 (FULL)
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013- 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #14 (FULL)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013- 5:45-7:45 p.m. PRACTICE #15(FULL)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013- 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #16 (FULL)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013- 5:45-7:45 p.m. PRACTICE #17 (FULL)

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION