Steady improvement marks Tuesday's practice; Some newcomers beginning to emerge
Tennessee Tech head coach Watson Brown is looking for more consistency from his team, but thought there was steady improvement Tuesday during the morning practice session. He also noted eight new players who are beginning to stand out.
Photo: Head coach Watson Brown gives
instructions to quarterback Colby Brown
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Following a warm session on Overall Field in shorts and shoulder pads, the Tennessee Tech football team wrapped up Tuesday morning's practice by hearing from coach Watson Brown on the need to be more consistent.
"My message was that we need to learn to be more consistent in being men, and not giving in," Brown said. "Football is an easy sport to give in. You have to deal with so many things, including the weather. We have to learn to just keep fighting."
The veteran Brown, now in his 31st season as a collegiate head coach and ninth at Tech, said the most pleasing aspect of Tuesday's practice was the improvement shown between the beginning of the day and the end of the session.
"We started out a little rough, but we got better as the day went on," he said. "That's a good sign. We're trying to be really simple this first week with basic stuff, and next week we'll go with more stuff."
With 23 true freshmen and 19 redshirt freshman on the roster, Brown and his staff are taking a close look at a lot of new talent. While he said it's a little early to determine which of those youngsters will contribute, he did rattle off the names of some first-year players who are beginning to establish themselves after only a couple of days.
On offense, Brown mentioned Austin Hicks, a wide receiver from Gardendale, Ala., and Joel Forrester a transfer offensive guard from Oxford, Miss., and Itawamba Junior College.
Offensive lineman Myles Douglas, a freshman from Ensworth High School in Nashville, is also "getting close," Brown said
The defensive side has a few more names that Brown mentioned, including three battling for playing time at cornerback. That group includes Josh Cunningham from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dante Rudolph from Gadsden (Ala.) City High School, and Anthony Flemister from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.
Also on defense, Brown noted the performances of Tim Collins, a defensive end from Restoration Academy in Fairfield, Ala., and Anthony Akers, a defensive tackle from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro.
The Golden Eagles are back on the field Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in full pads, then wrap up Friday in shorts before holding their first scrimmage on Saturday at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend the scrimmage session.
Season tickets to watch the Golden Eagles at all five home games in Tucker Stadium in 2015 are now on sale, with several ticket package options available. An adult season ticket is only $36, while a family plan which includes five tickets for the entire year is only $75. A "Back The Golden Eagles" plan features 10 tickets to each home game, a total of 50 tickets, for just $200. Tech employees can purchase a season ticket for only $25.
To order season tickets, or for additional information, please call the Eblen Center Ticket Office at (931) 372-3940. Tickets may also be ordered online at TTUsports.com or by clicking here.
