Three thoughts from No. 10 UTC's week of practice leading up to its game against Samford Saturday:
1. Practices were loose. Positive vibes seemed to be the mood on a daily basis, with constant encouragement being lenses from both players and coaches. If subpar performances in the team's first two games were weighing on the their collective mind, it wasn't showing.
2. If there are any changes being made to personnel, head coach Russ Huesman wasn't tipping his cap as to what they might be. Practices have been more competitive, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
3. Running back Derrick Craine and receiver Alphonso Stewart sat out the practices due to injuries, but both are expected to be ok. Their absences were more of a precautionary measure, which is common. In their absences, true freshmen Kyle Nalls and Alex Trotter earned some extra reps at running back, while James Stovall and Drae Bowles took over Stewart's workload at receiver.