COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- After two practices and a day off, the Tennessee Tech football team practiced in full pads today for the first time this spring. Tech opened its spring session on Monday, and practiced in shorts Monday and Tuesday, and took Wednesday off before strapping on the armor for Thursday's practice.

The Golden Eagles have 77 players on their spring roster, including 58 with major playing experience and 23 who were in the starting lineup last season.

Thursday's practice was the team's last session before its first spring scrimmage, held Saturday at 10:30 am at Tucker Stadium. Tech's spring season ends with the Purple and Gold game on April 25.

“Spring practice is slower, and more fundamental than in the fall," Tech coach Watson Brown said. "You can use more trial and error. In the spring you’re not preparing for a game at all, so you can focus more on schemes and evaluating talent.”