March 14, 2009

RUSTON--The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs began preparations for the 2009 season today with the first practice of the spring football season.

"We had an excellent first day of practice," said head coach Derek Dooley. "It was the best first day of spring we have ever had since I've been here, which is a tribute to the team's mental approach to this spring and to the continuity with our staff as well as our players."

The Bulldogs return 17 starters from the 2008 season. Nine of those starters come from the offensive side of the football, seven from the defense and one special teams starter.

This spring the Bulldogs will look to build on the success the team had in 2008 as opposed to starting from scratch after the 2006 season when Dooley arrived on campus for his first spring.

"The players had great intensity and a good understanding of our expectations for them," said Dooley. "We had a good tempo and now we just need keep the same intensity for 14 practices."

The `Dawgs will continue with spring practices until T-Day and the annual spring game on April 11 at 1 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium. All practices are closed to the public