RUSTON, LA (KSLA/Louisiana Tech Sports Information) -
Louisiana Tech donned pads for the first time this spring as the Bulldogs practiced for two hours on the Tech Practice Fields Monday afternoon in Ruston.
The coaching staff continued to stress fundamentals while installing their respective sections of the playbook. Both sides of the ball had their moments, including an up-and-down the field stretch where the offense moved the ball with relative ease that included a couple of big plays by Kenneth Dixon, Hunter Lee and Richie Casey.
"We had some good things and we had some bad things," said head coach Skip Holtz. "Our offense got on a little bit of a run and where we were able to move the ball. But every positive has a negative in the spring. Our offense made some plays but it was against our defense."
The struggle on the offensive side of the ball came up front as Tech looks to replace four starting offensive linemen lost to graduation. The fifth starter, Matt Shepperd, is held out of contact this spring as he recovers from back surgery. The biggest struggles of the day came at center in the snapping game.
"We spent our day going backwards as an offense because we couldn't get a snap," Holtz explained. "Whether it was inside drill or team, you waste everyone's time because you can't get a snap right. We have a long way to go with our centers, with our backfield action, with our timing to where it is polished enough."
The team finished the two hour session with a 3-on-3 tackling drill to emphasize fundamentals, toughness and staying strong despite being tired late in the game.
"We finished it up with a little hoot and holler drill, a little 3-on-3 action with some contact. Guys were getting excited about it and that is what spring is all about, getting better fundamentally and making sure we can put it all together," explained Holtz.
Tech returns to practice on Wednesday at 4 p.m. and again on Friday at 4 p.m. Both practices will be open to the media and the public.
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