Football Goes Full Pads In Day 3 Of Spring Practice
Feb 21, 2015 | Football
Feb. 21, 2015
NEW ORLEANS - The Tulane University football team sported a new look for day three of 2015 Spring Practice as the Green Wave donned full pads for the first time during the a two-hour session on Saturday morning in Yulman Stadium.
Darion Monroe and the
Tulane football team
went through a full-
pad session on
Saturday morning
during day three of
Spring Practice.
"I thought it went really well," Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson said. "We looked outstanding. We ran around well and we weren't on the ground as much as we have been in previous years. We looked like we knew what we were doing today. These kids are picking up the concepts really well. We've got smart players and they look good."
After focusing on the run game during both of the first two spring practices to date, the Green Wave turned their attention to the aerial attack on Saturday and several individuals turned in impressive performances. Rising sophomore tight end Charles Jones, who claimed Freshman All-America honors in 2014, pulled down several passes as did the flock of running backs coming out of the backfield.
The play of the day, however, came from rising sophomore wideout Teddy Veal, who went up and over his defender to pull down a 12-yard touchdown pass from redshirt-junior quarterback Devin Powell.
"I was watching Veal and the plays he made," Johnson said. "[Terren] Encalade made some plays. [Devon] Breaux made some plays. The tight ends are always making plays. Sherman [Badie] and Dontrell [Hilliard] can catch the ball very well also."
Redshirt-sophomore safety Tristan Cooper turned in the defensive highlight of the morning when he stepped in front of a Glen Cuiellette offering, which drew hoots and hollers from his teammates. Hitting was limited due to the nature of practice, but the coaches and players alike noted the speed with which the unit converged on the ball.
"You could see the intensity out here," rising junior linebacker Nico Marley said. "Everyone came out ready to compete and ready to hit. I thought it was a good first day in pads as far as being competitive and physical. There was no real rust.
"It's like this is the game after [the 2014 season finale vs] Temple. Everybody kind of knows everything already so we're communicating and everything is happening fast. The offense is coming out fast. We can just line up and be ready."
The Green Wave will enjoy a day off the field on Sunday before returning to practice on Monday, Feb. 23,, from 8-10 a.m. at Yulman Stadium. Season tickets for the 2015 Tulane football season are on sale now through the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office. The deadline for renewals and new sales to be eligible for priority seating is May 29. For additional information, contact the Ticket Office at (504) 861-WAVE (9283) or visit www.TulaneGreenWave.com.
