RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech practiced for two hours in shells under the lights of Joe Aillet Stadium Thursday evening, taking advantage of the (relatively) cool temperatures in the upper 70s as the Bulldogs enter the latter half of fall camp.

The practice session was lighter for the players in multiple aspects; the cooler weather was a welcome relief while Thursday's practice was physically lighter with less team drills and more individual work.

"It was a spirited practice under the lights," head coach Skip Holtz said. "Having it be 77 degrees kind of helps with this heat that we have been dealing with. We've had some long, hard days since last Saturday. We were in a two-a-day going in pads then going in pads again Sunday, then pads again Monday night, then a two-a-day Tuesday ââ'¬" we've had just some really hard days and we've been pushing them hard. They have come out here and worked, we haven't quite had the energy that you would like to have but certainly understandable 12 days into practice. But when you when you watch the film, boy, you certainly can't see it. Their effort, their attitude has been great. They've been working through these hard times right now."

After spending most of the practice in drills, there was a short team period followed by a two minute drill in which the offense and defense traded big plays.

"We came out here in shells tonight, going a little bit lighter. Finished with a good, competitive drill of two minute at the end and having some guys make some plays. It was a very spirited practice. This is probably what we needed for the end of a very long week."

With most of the practice dedicated to drills, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Blake Baker had the opportunity to continue developing a group that ended the spring with little experience and depth but has quietly become a strong position on the roster. That is important in a defensive scheme that relies on more than just 11 players seeing significant playing time through the course of the season.

"It is big time," Baker said of developing depth at linebacker and across the defense. "I don't think you can play defense with 11 (sic) guys anymore. It is fast-paced, no-huddle. I think you have to have 22 guys and sometimes you aren't fortunate enough to have 22 but if we can get 18 or19 then we can have a really good year. But you can't count on just 11 guys anymore."

While Louisiana Tech lost all three starters at linebacker from last year, the three players looking to replace the departed starters all have embraced the challenge and their role on the team. While they may have little to no stats for the Bulldogs, they are anything but inexperienced.

"They have done a phenomenal job," Baker said. "Beau [Fitte], Nick [Thomason] and C.J. [Cleveland] played a lot of football for us last year. Nick ended up starting the last couple games and led our team in tackles (12 tackles) against Marshall. I don't think any of the three are overwhelmed, I think they have embraced the leadership roles especially as seniors. It is kind of asked upon them but there wasn't too much asking. They have done a good job."

Behind them lies a trio of players that also have game experience under their belt and give the linebackers depth. Russell Farris was on the Conference USA All-Freshman team last season while Michael Mims played on special teams and at safety last season. Lloyd Grogan is playing a nickel back position that is more of a hybrid linebacker-safety position after spending last year with the safeties. C.J. Cleveland is among the top three linebackers and has a pair of starts to his credit last year, including starting at Louisiana-Lafayette where he led the Bulldogs with 14 tackles.

"Russell Farris has really done a nice job," Holtz said. "C.J. Cleveland and Michael Mims have done a nice job but they are all guys that have been in our program for a while. They've played and that is a comforting feeling. There's some positions where we don't have that luxury but at that position (linebacker), we do. Those guys are doing a really nice job, they've played and been in the defense for two years and they understand the terminology."

Having experience behind the first wave allows Baker to concentrate on getting the next wave of players ready for game day. With confidence key in this defensive system ââ'¬" and plenty of it to go around with the returning starters ââ'¬" creating confidence within the reserves is important at this juncture in camp heading into the regular season.

"That is what we are trying to build right now," Baker said of the confidence level among the reserves. "We talked about it from last spring to fall camp is depth on this team, offense and defense. We are trying to have those young guys that have played some ball for us ââ'¬" Secdrick Cooper, Russell Farris, Deldrick Canty ââ'¬" when the guys that have played for two, three, four years are off the field, we need them to step up as leaders and understand that they have an important role on this team. That is what we are developing this week."

After a closed practice in shorts on Friday, the Bulldogs will take part in the annual Fan Fest event before an open scrimmage Saturday.

"It is always a fun day," Holtz said of Fan Fest. "There is a lot of excitement and a lot of energy around this team right now. I can't think the people in the community and the fan base of Louisiana Tech with the way they have supported and their show of support for this football team. I think it is going to be a great opportunity for anybody that can come out to interact with our players. I think these players are looking forward to an opportunity to not hit each other in the middle of the afternoon and go and have a chance to interact in the air conditioning of the TAC with our fans. It's always a good time. It kind of really kicks off the season when we have a chance to see the excitement in the fans. It gives the players a boost, just to remind us everything we are doing this for."

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