NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football team kicked off the 2013 campaign on Monday morning with the squad’s first practice of fall camp.
“I am very optimistic [about this season],” head coach Rod Reed said. “I thought our defense came out and flew around which is supposed to be our strength this year with 11 returning starters.”
By starting practice at 6 a.m., the Tigers were able to be beat the heat before temperatures soared into the 80’s by the end of the two-hour session.
Even in the absence of pads, Big Blue treated Monday like a regular training session, working both offensive and defensive drills before coming together for an 11-on-11 before the final horn.
By and large, the defense came out on the better end Monday, forcing the offense into several errors. Safety Daniel Fitzpatrick made a diving interception to begin the team drills and cornerback Stephen Godbolt III was active as well, completely shutting down his man for most of the morning.
The offense did have its bright spots, however. Freshman quarterback Ronald Butler hit senior receiver Devin Wilson for a long touchdown off of a busted play and fellow quarterback Lamar McKnight broke off a huge run before the coaches finally blew the whistle.
Butler and McKnight split snaps under center with senior Holt Claiborne and true freshman Patrick Smith. Day one provided little separation in the four-man quarterback race.
The practice ended with the entire team, including lineman, running a handful of 100-yard dashes for conditioning.
The Tigers will hope for the same cool weather tomorrow when they hit Hale Stadium at the same time for the second day of camp. The team will, again, practice in just helmets before moving on to shells on Wednesday.
This Week’s Practice Dates
TUESDAY, Aug. 6, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #2 (HELMETS)
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #3 (SHELLS)
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #4 (SHELLS)
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #5 (SHELLS)
SATURDAY, Aug. 10, 2013 - 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #6 (SHELLS)
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #8 (FULL)
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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