Full pads help T-Wolves pick up practice pace

By JOE E. CERVI, THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

One thing lacking with the resurrection of football at Colorado State University-Pueblo is patience.

From the decision last May by the CSU Board of Governors giving its blessing to athletic expansion at the school, to the designing and building of a new stadium next to campus, ThunderWolves football has been on the fast track.

Thursday's spring football practice was no exception.

The ThunderWolves, working out at daybreak at Dutch Clark Stadium, donned full pads for the first time.

"We couldn't wait," CSU-Pueblo head coach John Wristen said with a smile. "We're allowed to do it and we got the practice jerseys in so we put on the pads. We looked like a team that hasn't put on pads in more than 20 years.

"Seriously, the drills went a little quicker and there was more energy out there. When the guys put the pads on, they feel like real football players."

The team was scheduled to practice in shells Thursday but moved its schedule up. The ThunderWolves will wear full pads and engage in some scrimmage situations Sunday at Dutch Clark. That practice begins at 3 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

"We're getting a lot accomplished every time we step on the field," Wristen said. "I don't know if we're on schedule, because I don't know what that schedule is, but today was better than yesterday. I want our next practice to be better than our last practice. That's all we can ask for right now."

Defense traditionally leads offense on the learning curve early in football practices. These ThunderWolves are no exception.

"We might be a step ahead of the offense, but we have a long, long way to go," CSU-Pueblo defensive coordinator Hunter Hughes said. "We're happy with the effort, but we're still spending a lot of time just teaching these guys how to practice.
We ran the same drills (Wednesday) that we did Tuesday and the guys are getting more comfortable with what we're trying to get across."

Former Pueblo West High School player Steve Jordan is a potential starter at one of the inside linebacker positions. He transferred from Adams State College and has been through spring drills before.

"The defense is playing pretty good together but our playbook is a lot smaller than the offense's," Jordan said. "We found out last night that we were going in pads today and that got everyone excited."

Hughes said the coaching staff evaluates every session of every practice, as well as every player.

"One of the most exciting things about this team is there isn't one position that's taken," he said. "Everyone's got a chance to make the team; it's up to them to prove that they belong here."