Central Michigan University Athletics
Veteran Chippewas Turn Up the Heat for Practice One
8/3/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
With 27 days to go before the home opener, the first of 23 practices got underway mid-afternoon Friday after a morning conditioning test. Players checked-in to camp Thursday, moving into the residence hall and attending orientation meetings in the evening.
"We spend a lot of time before camp ever starts on depth charts, install plans, scripts and schedules so we can maximize every second these guys are out here," said third-year head coach Dan Enos. "We fit a lot of things into a short amount of practice time. We want to practice so hard and so fast that they are getting their conditioning throughout practice."
While the first few days may seem to go at a dizzying pace for the rookies, a large cast of veterans, including 19 seniors, is there to ensure an upbeat tempo.
"The veterans provide a lot of stability," said Enos. "They know how we operate, they know what we expect. Not only do we have a lot of seniors but they've played and they've been productive, and that makes a big difference with the younger guys. Mixed with the good, young talent we have right now, we have some great team chemistry."
"We accomplished a lot in day one," said senior quarterback Ryan Radcliff. "It feels like we already have a lot more of our offense installed than we did a couple practices into last year."
Notes:
- A pair of transfer students arrived on campus after committing to CMU in the offseason. The Chippewas added senior cornerback Anthony Young (5-8, 177) from Iowa State and sophomore wide receiver DeFarrell Davis (6-2, 180) from Nassau Community College in New York.
- The Chippewas will go one more time in helmets, followed by two practices in shells before donning full pads for practice five. Two-a-days begin Wednesday, August 8, with practices six and seven.
- Today was the first of nine straight days of practice, culminating in the first scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 11.
