Practice Report - Day 2
8/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 7, 2010
Media Day Video Part 1
TulsaHurricane.com correspondent and junior defensive back Chris Ford chronicled TU football media day from the players' perspective.
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The University of Tulsa football team participated in its first combined practice today at H.A. Chapman Stadium. The newcomers joined the veterans in a spirited opening practice of 2010 that began with a light drizzle and left a calm, overcast atmosphere for the entire morning session.
Things got started with the team breaking up by positions and doing individual work, followed by extensive training on special teams.
"We had guys flying around today, and it was an exciting day," coach Todd Graham said. "I like both the chemistry and speed of this team. This was a good first day of being together."
The latter stages of practice involved more individual stations and some first-team and second-team offense going up against the first-team and second-team defense.
"We have a lot of things we need to work on, obviously," first-string quarterback G.J. Kinne said. "We ran the ball well, though, and overall we had a good day."
Kinne also said it's going to be a process incorporating all the new players into the offense.
"We have a couple new running backs, receivers and offensive linemen that we have to work in," Kinne said. "They're doing a great job of taking on a lot of new information. It's a grind, but we're ready. We have to put in the work now so we're well-prepared for East Carolina come September 5."
This marked Day Two of the five-day acclimation process that will see the players wearing only helmets as they are adjusting to the hot temperatures and getting back into practice mode. The first day of full pads will be Wednesday, August 11.
Coach Graham said he was impressed with the defensive side of the ball, specifically the linebackers and defensive linemen.
"The front seven had a great day with a couple of (interceptions returned for touchdowns) and deflected balls up front," Graham said. "The guys impacted the quarterbacks quite a bit and they were also aggressive at creating turnovers."
Graham indicated two players who really stood out after the first full-team practice were linebackers Tanner Antle and Curnelius Arnick.
The Golden Hurricane will get plenty of rest throughout the remainder of the day and get right back to work first thing Sunday morning.
WEATHER REPORT
Starting: Temperature - 80.5°, Humidity - 79.5%
Ending: Temperature - 88.5°, Humidity - 56.3%
