University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Countdown to Kickoff 2012. . . Preseason Camp Closed
8/18/2012 5:10:00 PM | Football
Contact: Brian McCann
LAFAYETTE, LA. – After 17 days of rigorous mostly two-a-day practice sessions, the Ragin' Cajuns football team ended preseason camp on Saturday with an 140-minute practice and shifted their focus to the Sept. 1 opening game against Lamar.
“Camp is officially over,” head coach Mark Hudspeth said with a smile moments after dismissing the players.”
“It was a pretty good camp because we got a lot accomplished and were able to come to the field every day and maintain focus.
“I look back on everything that we accomplished last year and as good as it was, we went through camp with distractions. Somebody would be late for a meeting, they would not be focused on the field or there would be problems away from the field. This year, there was none of that. These guys came to camp ready to go and it showed,” Hudspeth added.
After a summer of demanding conditioning, the UL players reported to campus on August 1 and were on the field for the first time the following day. After three days of practice in partial uniforms to allow them to get adjusted, the Cajuns hit for the first time on Aug. 5. Since then, it has been all business, including scrimmages on Aug. 11th and 17th that have helped Hudspeth determine the lineup for the season opener.
“I think that last 17 days have given us some insight into who are starters are with the only questions left are who might be the next person on the field at each position,” Hudspeth said.
With the two-deep just about set for the opener, Hudspeth said that the Cajuns will focus the next two weeks on their opener.
“The sense of urgency is starting to set in with the players now that we are just two weeks away from playing Lamar and I am sure that we will get there and be ready,” Hudspeth said. “It is one thing to start camp about five weeks away from the first game, but once you start to realize how close things are, the urgency sets in.”
“We spent the first three weeks of preseason installing the offense and defense and fine tuning things,” Hudspeth said. “From here on out, we will turn our attention to game prep for Lamar.”
To do that, Hudspeth gave the Ragin' Cajuns players Sunday and Monday off from practice, allowing them the time to focus on fall semester classes, which begin on Monday.
“This has been a very physical camp and we have a couple of guys who are a little banged up. By giving them the next two days off, except for their weight lifting session on Monday, it will allow them to get their legs back and get healthy. I think we will be at full strength for Lamar,” Hudspeth said.
When the Cajuns return to the practice field on Tuesday, they will be in their normal game week routine, taking Monday off each week before practicing four straight days. The UL players will take part in the annual Fan Day event next Sunday (Aug. 26) beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Cajundome.
LAGNIAPPE: The final activity of the practice on Saturday involved the coaches as each was asked to catch a punt cleanly, otherwise the team would have to run. . . with the players lined up on both sides of the field, all 12 coaches were able to haul in the ball, with each doing so to the loud applause of the players. . . the final five minutes of the workout was indoors as a storm blew through Lafayette just as the session was ending. . . the skies opened up and the rain came down just as Hudspeth was speaking to the team, with the deafening roar of the storm almost downing Hudspeth out. . .
LAFAYETTE, LA. – After 17 days of rigorous mostly two-a-day practice sessions, the Ragin' Cajuns football team ended preseason camp on Saturday with an 140-minute practice and shifted their focus to the Sept. 1 opening game against Lamar.
“Camp is officially over,” head coach Mark Hudspeth said with a smile moments after dismissing the players.”
“It was a pretty good camp because we got a lot accomplished and were able to come to the field every day and maintain focus.
“I look back on everything that we accomplished last year and as good as it was, we went through camp with distractions. Somebody would be late for a meeting, they would not be focused on the field or there would be problems away from the field. This year, there was none of that. These guys came to camp ready to go and it showed,” Hudspeth added.
After a summer of demanding conditioning, the UL players reported to campus on August 1 and were on the field for the first time the following day. After three days of practice in partial uniforms to allow them to get adjusted, the Cajuns hit for the first time on Aug. 5. Since then, it has been all business, including scrimmages on Aug. 11th and 17th that have helped Hudspeth determine the lineup for the season opener.
“I think that last 17 days have given us some insight into who are starters are with the only questions left are who might be the next person on the field at each position,” Hudspeth said.
With the two-deep just about set for the opener, Hudspeth said that the Cajuns will focus the next two weeks on their opener.
“The sense of urgency is starting to set in with the players now that we are just two weeks away from playing Lamar and I am sure that we will get there and be ready,” Hudspeth said. “It is one thing to start camp about five weeks away from the first game, but once you start to realize how close things are, the urgency sets in.”
“We spent the first three weeks of preseason installing the offense and defense and fine tuning things,” Hudspeth said. “From here on out, we will turn our attention to game prep for Lamar.”
To do that, Hudspeth gave the Ragin' Cajuns players Sunday and Monday off from practice, allowing them the time to focus on fall semester classes, which begin on Monday.
“This has been a very physical camp and we have a couple of guys who are a little banged up. By giving them the next two days off, except for their weight lifting session on Monday, it will allow them to get their legs back and get healthy. I think we will be at full strength for Lamar,” Hudspeth said.
When the Cajuns return to the practice field on Tuesday, they will be in their normal game week routine, taking Monday off each week before practicing four straight days. The UL players will take part in the annual Fan Day event next Sunday (Aug. 26) beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Cajundome.
LAGNIAPPE: The final activity of the practice on Saturday involved the coaches as each was asked to catch a punt cleanly, otherwise the team would have to run. . . with the players lined up on both sides of the field, all 12 coaches were able to haul in the ball, with each doing so to the loud applause of the players. . . the final five minutes of the workout was indoors as a storm blew through Lafayette just as the session was ending. . . the skies opened up and the rain came down just as Hudspeth was speaking to the team, with the deafening roar of the storm almost downing Hudspeth out. . .
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