The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team was down at Scrappy Moore Field before the sun rose this morning, conducting its second practice of the preseason.
Still working out in shorts and helmets, the Mocs did a mix of position exercises and offense vs. defense series during the 28-period practice.
"I thought they moved around good," coach Russ Huesman said. "As the days progress they're going to be a little sore, a little weak, a little tired. ... It was really cool [this morning] and I'm sure they pretty excited about it."
The Mocs practiced early in the morning, as they will do often during the next few weeks, to avoid the high heat in the afternoons - though it was plenty warm and humid by the end today. UTC practices at 7:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The early starts have their drawbacks, however, because more than a dozen players, including numerous starters, had to leave early to attend summer school classes.
Just because practice was over before 10 a.m. today doesn't mean the Mocs are done for the day. The freshmen have two hours of academic orientation, the team will get together in the afternoon for numerous meetings and there will be a walkthrough at Scrappy at 7:45 tonight.
For more Mocs coverage, see tomorrow's Times Free Press. You can also follow beat writer John Frierson on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeatCTFP.