RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech Football team stepped onto the practice field grass early Wednesday morning as the Bulldogs officially opened fall camp in preparation for the 2024 season.
 
Third-year head coach Sonny Cumbie said he was impressed with the team's conditioning and communication in a carry over from spring practice and summer workouts.
 
"Guys flew around the practice field today," said Cumbie.  "They attacked the practice field just like they attacked their summer workouts.  Your first day of practice and fall camp is so much different now compared to five or 10 years ago.  You have so much access you can do with your players and with the football. This was a continuation of what we did in the month of July.  
 
"I am proud of how our players handled it by hitting the grass at 7 a.m.  The guys flew around and moved around quickly and communicated well.  In our limited team period, our defense did a great job of creating turnovers and getting their hands in the throwing lanes."


 A renewed energy and enthusiasm was in the air on the defensive side of the ball, something defensive lineman Mykol Clark attributed to presence of new defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson.
 
"He brings the energy every day," said the graduate senior.  "He pushes you to your best.  He does not accept average.  I saw a lot of guys flying around today, a lot of hungry guys ready to get after it.  The first day is the best day.  You get to be with the whole group and get all the newcomers in.  We are a group that is excited to go."


 Also excited to go was quarterback Jack Turner who has already earned the starting spot as the Bulldogs' signal caller heading into fall camp and the upcoming season. 
 
"There was a lot of excitement, for sure," said the redshirt junior.  "That is typically how it is on the first day.  The challenge is to stay focused every single day.  Stay focused on the process and not worry about the result, preparing for a long season.


 "I try to keep the same mentality whether you are in the starting position or the fifth position.  You don't want your work ethic to wane.  I have to stay after it and stay on my A game." 
 
The Bulldogs open the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. CT versus Nicholls inside Joe Aillet Stadium. 
 
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