COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Tech football team ventured
onto the turf inside Tucker Stadium twice on Saturday, once for the
team's annual Photo Day session in the morning and the second time
in the afternoon for the squad's first practice of fall camp.
In the morning, the Golden Eagles spent a little more than an hour
posing for photographs and meeting fans and members of the
media.
Coach Watson Brown, now in his seventh season at the helm of the
Golden Eagles, took the team through a two-plus hour practice
session in the afternoon. The Golden Eagles worked out in shorts
and helmets Saturday, and will wear the same gear for the Sunday
afternoon workout. On Monday, Tech will don shoulder pads, and on
Wednesday will work out in full pads for the first time.
"We had a really good first day," Brown said. "We have so many
players back that they came in knowing what to do. Then again, we
have an awful lot of new, young players, too, and the older guys
are helping them out. The guys that have been here four and five
years are helping the new guys, and it's really making things go
well."
One thing was obvious during the afternoon workout -- the Golden
Eagles have a lot of talented players who can catch the ball.
"This is, by far, the best group we've had in here since I've been
here," Brown said. "We have so many good receivers, so we'll be
doing things a little differently. We're going to give it to all of
them. We're going to roll 'em in and out, and throw it to
everybody."
It's a good thing that the receiving corps is so deep -- the
Golden Eagles also boast a lot of players who can throw the ball.
Six different quarterbacks were throwing passes on Saturday.
Six.
"I've had five quarterbacks before on the FBS level, and usually I
have had four on this level," Brown said. "This year, we've got six
good ones."
The quarterbacks on the roster are led by junior Darian Stone, a
strong-armed, fleet-footed returnee who started the final four
games of 2012. Joining him are sophomore Matt Hamby, and freshmen
Jared Davis, Charlie High, Brock McCoin and Trent Thompson.
With so many signal callers, it makes it tough to run all of his
quarterbacks in-and-out of the lineup during the team's passing
drills.
"It's hard to get them each enough reps," Brown said. "We've seen
Darian throw it, but we want to see what the others can do. They're
all fighting for the number two spot, so we want to give them as
many reps as possible."
The first week of practice will wrap up next Saturday afternoon
(Aug. 10) with a scrimmage in Tucker Stadium beginning at 4
p.m.
Season tickets are available by visiting or calling the Athletics
Ticket Office in Eblen Center at 931-372-3940. Tickets may also be
ordered online at TTUsports.com.
Tech's Fall Camp Daily Schedule
Friday, Aug. 2 - Team reports
Saturday, Aug. 3 - Photo Day at 10 a.m.; Practice
(shorts) at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 4 - Practice (shorts) at 3 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 5 - Practice at 3 p.m. (shoulder pads)
Tuesday, Aug. 6 - Practice at 3 p.m. (shoulder pads)
Wednesday, Aug. 7 - Practice at 3 p.m. (full pads)
Thursday, Aug. 8 - Practice at 9:30 a.m.; Practice at 3 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 9 - Practive at 3 p.m. (shorts)
Saturday, Aug. 10 - Scrimmage at 4 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 11 - Off
Monday, Aug. 12 - Practice at 9:30 a.m.; Practice at 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 13 - Practice at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 14 - Practice at 9:30 a.m.; Practice at 3 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 15 - Practice at 3 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 16 - Weights (no practice)
Saturday, Aug, 17 - Gathering of Eagles/Scrimmage at 1
p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 18 - Off
Monday, Aug. 19 - Practice at 9:30 a.m.; Practice at 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 20 - Practice at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 21 - Practice at 3 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22 - Practice at 3 p.m. / Great Move-In Day (assist
students moving into dorms)
Friday, Aug. 23 - Practice at 3 p.m. on grass field (shorts)
Saturday, Aug. 24 - Off
Sunday, Aug. 25 - Practice at 4 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 26 - Classes begin / Practice at 7 p.m.
