UTC Mocs logoAlthough University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coach Russ Huesman downplayed the progression to a full-pads practice today, several players admitted it’s a move they’re eager for.
“A lot of guys are excited about full pads, no doubt,” defensive lineman Derrick Lott said Saturday. “Defense especially. We’ve been waiting for a long time for this.
“Even the guys who were here all summer, all we talked about was the first day in full pads, so I think tomorrow will be loud. I can’t wait to see who can man up once we put the pads on.”
The Mocs have gotten progressively more physical the last two days, and even for shorts, helmets and shoulder pads, Saturday morning’s practice got plenty physical at times, including the 6-foot-4, 303-pound Lott’s hit on running back Derrick Craine. As Craine got to the line Lott hit him with just his chest, but the big man’s momentum was enough to send the 5-10, 205-pound Craine straight to the turf.
On the next snap, Craine showed why coaches rave about his toughness as he hit a hole full speed on an inside run right past Lott.