Aug. 10, 2011

Post Practice Video with Coach Dykes

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RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech's defense continued to improve and dominated Wednesday as Tech practiced for approximately 90 minutes on the Tech practice fields.

Dave Clark and Justin Goodman impressed among a secondary that is vastly improved from last year's fall camp. Clark notched his third interception of fall camp, unofficially tied with Goodman for the lead. DeMarcion Evans also added another interception for the secondary.

"The play of our defensive backs as a whole has stood out," said head coach Sonny Dykes. "Those guys continue to get interceptions and continue to do some good things. Justin Goodman has been a stand out [player] so far at the corner position. He is competing really hard right now and done a lot of good things."

Clark and Goodman led a defense that was in high spirits and played with a strong intensity throughout the practice, taking advantage of an offense that was installing the final third of its play book.

"I thought today, defensively, was a really good practice," Dykes said. "Our effort was really good, our intensity was good and they played with a lot of emotion and bounced around pretty good. Offensively, we were sloppy. I didn't feel like we were in tune like we needed to be. We just didn't execute."

"Really, every day is an installation day early on," continued Dykes. "We break our offense up in thirds and try to install a third of it every day. Today was installation number three and sometimes it is a little overwhelming for guys. The problem wasn't really the young guys or that we were doing anything different, we just didn't have a level of concentration or intensity that we need from our offense."

With three practices in the book, Tech can finally wear shoulder pads starting tomorrow. Despite not wearing any padding except for helmets, the players are chomping at the bit for physical action.l

"As always happens, we got a little chippy today at times as guys are ready to put the pads on," Dykes explained. "It is hard to evaluate both lines at this point; you get an idea and see them run around - but now we'll have a chance to see them with pads on and competing against each other. We will be able to tell more about our offensive and defensive lines."

Thursday's practice is scheduled for 6 p.m. on the Tech practice fields. That practice, along with all other practices during fall camp, is open to the public.

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Quotes

Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Dykes

"I thought day three was good. As always happens, we got a little chippy today at times as guys are ready to put the pads on. It is hard to evaluate both lines at this point; you get an idea and see them run around - but now we'll have a chance to see them with pads on and competing against each other. We will be able to tell more about our offensive and defensive lines."

"I thought today, defensively, was a really good practice. Our effort was really good, our intensity was good and they played with a lot of emotion and bounced around pretty good. Offensively, we were sloppy. I didn't feel like we were in tune like we needed to be. We just didn't execute."

"Really, every day is an installation day early on. We break our offense up in thirds and try to install a third of it every day. Today was installation number three and sometimes it is a little overwhelming for guys. The problem wasn't really the young guys or that we were doing anything different, we just didn't have a level of concentration or intensity that we need from our offense."

"[Tired legs] start to wear down the offense and disrupt the timing. We have to learn to work through that. We are always going to have bumps and bruises and be tired but that is part of becoming a good football team. We have to work through that. It is kind of like the fourth quarter and that has been a point of emphasis for us this year - becoming a good second half football team."

On who stood out Wednesday:
"Adrien Cole has been someone who day-in and day-out has showed up a bunch. He pulled his groin a bit yesterday and worked through it. He showed a lot of toughness and maturity for him to show up and practice through it. I like the attitude and demeanor he has."

"The play of our defensive backs as a whole has stood out. Those guys continue to get interceptions and continue to do some good things. Justin Goodman has been a stand out [player] so far at the corner position. He is competing really hard right now and done a lot of good things."

"Like I said, we'll know more about the line tomorrow. IK [Enemkpali] shows up a lot, Matt Broha shows up a lot and those are guys we are relying upon for a good pass rush."

On the quarterbacks:
"I thought Nick [Isham] probably got a little overwhelmed but it is just the third day and he is a new quarterback. Colby [Cameron] has been good but he wasn't as sharp as he has been today. I think part of that was something we have to learn how to work through."