"You can't do that," the sophomore said. "That's the mindset a lot of people go into a two-a-day with, but you can't. If you pace yourself you won't get any better."http://www.timesfreepress.com/admin/news/stories/add/#
Mocs coach Russ Huesman was concerned about that very thing prior to the first of the Mocs' two practices Tuesday. To make sure that didn't happen, Huesman presented his squad with two schedules. In both, the Mocs were practicing in full pads for 25 periods in the morning. And that practice was to determine the 6:30 p.m. session.
"I told them we could either have a 24-period practice in full pads or a 15-period practice with helmets on," he said following the 7:45 a.m. session at Scrappy Moore Field.
In order to go lighter in the afternoon UTC had to go hard early, which is what the Mocs did.
To help make that happen, Huesman had the offense and defense scrimmage full speed at different times during practice - and the score was kept, with either side getting a point for each play.
The defense dominated early, jumping out to a 14-4 lead, before the offense rallied to make the final score, a 18-14 win for the defense, at least respectable.
"Hats off to them," quarterback B.J. Coleman said of the defense, which picked off or broke up several of his passes. "Playing against them is going to make us better."
The Mocs didn't have any two-a-days during Huesman's first season. He's not a fan of them, and last season UTC didn't have to double up to get all 29 preseason practices in. That's not the case this season, so UTC will conduct three two-a-days.
Every practice in high-heat, high-humidity situations is tough on the players and tough on the UTC training staff. Two-a-days have the trainers on high alert for anyone suffering dehydration or exhaustion.
"We're prepared with the medics being here and the cold tub being here," head trainer Todd Bullard said, "and all the athletic trainers are credentialed in IV therapy, so they're well taken care of."
Between the full-time trainers and the graduate students, the ratio at each practice is roughly one trainer for every three players, Bullard said.
The players are weighed before and after each practice during the preseason to determine how much fluid they need to be consuming. Bullard said there is an equation that "dictates how many liters of fluid they drink based on how much weight they lose. So if they lose two pounds, they're drinking one liter."
The Mocs spent much of the afternoon practice working on special teams. Freshman kicker Nick Pollard, who was inconsistent Tuesday morning, hit 7 of 8 attempts, including a 52-yarder.
Extra points
After suffering in the heat Monday, right tackle Adam Miller did not practice Tuesday. Defensive tackle Nick Davison (illness) did not practice in the afternoon. ... To escape today's expected heat, Huesman moved practice to 7:45 a.m.