Team will scrimmage Sunday at 4 p.m. on Overall
Field
COOKVILLE, Tenn. -- A calm confidence was in the air Friday
afternoon, along with a cooling breeze, as the Tennessee Tech
football team went through its afternoon walk-through in Tucker
Stadium to cap off its first week of practices.
Coach Watson Brown's team will hold its first scrimmage of fall
camp Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. on Overall Field. The public is
invited to attend and get its first look at the 2012 Golden
Eagles.
Brown, whose team claimed a share of the Ohio Valley Conference
championship last season for the first time in 36 years, appeared
completely relaxed as his players -- dressed in shorts and game
shirts but without any pads or helmets -- walked through some of
the formations and plays they've worked on since ariving on campus
a week ago.
The team will practice twice Saturday, then square off in
scrimmage action Sunday.
"I don't really look forward to scrimmages, I look forward to game
day," Brown said, "but the players do. They like to get out there
and fly around."
In his 29th season as a collegiate head coach, this will mark the
29th time he is running his team through fall camp; Sunday will be
the 29th "first" scrimmage in his career.
"I learn a lot, and we have to have them. We get a chance to see
the new guys out there by themselves for the first time and see how
they react," he said.
The temperature had dropped into the low 80s by Friday's practice,
nearly 10 degrees lower than most of the afternoons earlier in the
week. The players showed plenty of spirit on the heels of their
first three days in full pads.
"I've been pleased so far," Brown said. "You can tell we're not
quite as experienced as last year. I guess we kind of took that
experience for granted, and we're a little slower than where we
were at this time last year."
Brown said the goals for Sunday's scrimmage remain the same as
they have been throughout his career.
"First of all, we want to make sure we have the right players in
the right places, and see who's where on the depth chart," Brown
said. "Second, we'll work some on the system, but this is more of a
position scrimmage than the second srimmage will be."
That second scrimmage will take place next Saturday (Aug, 18), and
will punctuate the annual Gathering of Eagles fan picnic in Tucker
Stadium.
The staff hasn't made any position changes to any players during
the first week.
"We usually get that part done in the spring," Brown said. "We
don't make many position changes in the fall unless it's off an
injury or a freshman really rises up. This class of freshmen was
specifically recruited to positions, and they have all been exactly
what we thought they'd be."
Among the newcomers, Brown and his staff expect freshmen to show
up in the receiving corps and in the offensive line, where the
Golden Eagles are looking to solidify the depth chart. Another
position where a newcomer could have an impact is in the kicking
game, where Chris Harris, a freshman from Columbia, Tenn., is
making a strong bid to handle kickoff duties.
Brown said that a few minor injuries have hindered progress in a
couple of key positions. Those missing in action during the first
week include receiver Zack Ziegler (back), defensive back Will
Johnson (knee), defensive back Luke Woodason (hamstring) and
offensive lineman Matthew Smith (Hamstring).
Season tickets remain on sale for Tech's six-game, 2012 home
schedule. Tickets may be purchased online at TTUsports.com, or
through the Athletic Ticket Office in Eblen Center (931-372-3940)
weekdays during regular business hours.