Pads Come On in Third Practice of the Spring for Louisiana Tech

RUSTON, La. (March 18, 2013) - 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.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please follow @LATechFB on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.

Quotes

Head Coach Skip Holtz

"It was the first day in pads and we had some popping and some guys were flying around. Like I said the other day, I love the effort and I love the attitude but I am not real fond of the execution at this point. We spent our day going backwards as an offense because we couldn't get a snap. 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."

"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. We had some good things and we had some bad things. 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."

On the newcomers:

"The linebackers, but [Mitch] Villemez and [Nick] Thomason, having both of those guys here is huge for their development and huge for this football team. I think they are both going to help this football team this year. Paul Turner is a talent; that is pretty evident by watching him out here today. Mitchell Bell, when you watch him for one play, he has a chance to be very talented. We just don't have the conditioning yet to watch him for six or seven plays. We still have a ways to go but when you watch the flashes of his foot speed and quickness, I think when he gets in shape he will have a chance to be a really good football player. I think there is some talent in those five guys and I think they are all going to be great additions. We just have to learn what we are doing on offense and defense first."