HAMMOND – From the time he took over as head football coach at Southeastern Louisiana University,
Ron Roberts stated that his 2012 squad would work to become a more physical football team with a mentality of running the ball more.
Fans who attended Tuesday's practice got a solid glimpse of what to expect as the Lions worked out in full gear for over two hours on the Southeastern Practice Fields. Southeastern worked on nearly all phases of its game during the session, including red zone offense, continuing to install its inside running game and special teams.
One of the periods also involved “the Lions' Den,” where offensive and defensive players according to position were pitted against each other in one-on-one action with the defensive player attempting to tackle a Lion running back.
“I think it's good, anytime you can put them in competitive situations, it's what you want,” Roberts said. “You've got to get them used to that, but it doesn't do any good if it doesn't carry over to everything else you're doing. The best thing about it is that it's one-on-one and everybody is watching. You have to perform because the rest of the team is going to see it.”
Since working out in full gear, the Southeastern defense has performed ahead of the offense in 11-on-11 situations, but the offense had its best day with quarterback
Nathan Stanley getting solid protection from his offensive line and connecting on a pair of long touchdown passes to
Stanley Moore and
Tony McCrea while
Blaine LeBlanc,
Sam Fairley and
Jordan Wells recorded some impressive runs from scrimmage.
“I really thought today that the offensive line came off more physical in our inside game and carried over into our first-and-10 series when we went to team,” Roberts said. “That's what's got to happen … one side has to raise the bar and the other side has to answer it and we've got to get to the position where we want to be the best offense and defense that we'll see all year.”
Southeastern, which opens its season on Sept. 1 at Missouri, will return to practice on Wednesday with a pair of workouts. The Lions will work out in shells at 7 a.m. before returning to work out in full gear at 4:50 p.m. All practices are open to the public.
Season tickets for the 2012 campaign are available by calling the Southeastern Athletic Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or 1-866-LION-TIX. Southeastern opens its 2012 home slate on Sept. 8 against South Dakota State and will also host McNeese State (Sept. 22), Northwestern State (Oct. 13), Central Arkansas (Oct. 27) and Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 10).
2012 Southeastern Louisiana University Football Camp Schedule
(all times are subject to change)
August 8 – 7 a.m. (Shells); 4:50 p.m. (Full pads)
August 9 – 4:50 p.m. (Full pads)
August 10 – 4:50 p.m. (Full pads)
August 11 – 10 a.m. (Special Teams); 6:50 p.m. (Scrimmage)
August 12 – OFF
August 13 – 3:30 p.m. (Full pads)
August 14 – 3:30 p.m. (Full pads)
August 15 – OFF (Classes begin)
August 16 – 3:15 p.m.
August 17 – 3:15 p.m.; 6-8 p.m. (Fan Day – Downtown Hammond)
August 18 – Noon-2 p.m. (Media Day/Picture Day); 6:50 p.m. (Scrimmage)
August 19 – 6:50 p.m.
August 20 – OFF
August 21 – 3:15 p.m.
August 22 – 3:15 p.m.
August 23 – 6:50 p.m. (Scrimmage)
August 24 – 3:30 p.m. (Situational O/D/ST)
August 25 – 10:30 a.m.
August 26 – 6:50 p.m.
