Louisiana Tech donned full pads for the first time this fall on Tuesday morning as the Bulldogs closed out the first five days of practice in time for a well-deserved day off on Wednesday. 

Head coach Skip Holtz and Co. spent more than two hours on the practice fields starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday in the team's first practice in full pads. The Bulldogs spent Sunday and Monday practicing in just shells before suiting up completely on the fifth day of fall camp.

"We have been in shells the last two days, so we have had shoulder pads on," Holtz said following an energetic practice. "One thing we have learned to do the last couple of years is we have learned to practice, and that is an important thing in teaching your players how to stay up and work together. Just because you put on full pads, it is not about trying to drive the other guy in the ground. What we're trying to do is build the fundamentals of this football team and I think practicing together is critical."

"The last three days there has been a lot of energy and a lot of intensity. We started off today with a 1-on-1 Oklahoma drill, which always kind of sets the tone. I like the attitude and work ethic. I don't think we finished the way we needed to today. We are starting with a lot of energy, but I don't think we finished with it today, and that is the challenge we have for 25 days is coming out here with the energy every single day from start to finish. For the first four and a half days, I felt like we have had great practices, great intensity, great energy. We just have to come back out here on Thursday and go back to that same attitude that we had on day one."

Following a spirited first five days of fall camp, the Bulldogs will now take Wednesday off from practice and spend time recovering before hitting the practice field once again first thing on Thursday morning. LA Tech will practice on Thursday and Friday before holding the team's first scrimmage on Saturday morning.  

"Through the first five days of practice you go through the NCAA acclimatization period where you have two days in shorts, two days in shells and one day in pads," Holtz said. "I didn't want to break that up and that is why we waited five days to take a day off. Now we will take our day off tomorrow and give them a chance to get rested, get in the cold tubs and get treatment in the training room."

The Bulldogs play five home games this year, including the home opener on Sept. 8 against Southern when the University will celebrate the first 50 years of Joe Aillet Stadium. Tech is one of only four programs in the country to win a bowl game in each of the last four years, joining Utah, Wisconsin and Georgia.

Bulldog fans can meet this year's team during the annual Fan Fest set for Saturday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the event will include bounce houses, spirit squads, Champ, Tech XXII, autographs and more.

Season tickets and mini-plans for Bulldog football are still currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 318-257-3631 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. or by logging onto LATechSports.com/tickets.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please follow Louisiana Tech on social media at @LATechFB (Twitter), /LATechFootball (Facebook) and @LATechFB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.