Ball State University Athletics
Tuesday's Football Practice Report
August 21, 2012 | Football
Ball State second-year head coach Pete Lembo ran the football team through its first practice session with classes in session Tuesday afternoon.
Lembo answered questions after the day's practice as the Cardinals continue preparations for the Aug. 30, season opener vs. Eastern Michigan at Scheumann Stadium at 7 p.m.
Ball State will practice Wednesday and Thursday at 3:30 p.m., and Friday at 7:15 p.m. All practices sessions are open to the public.
Q: Today was the first practice since classes started back up. Talk about the team's focus at practice.
A: I was very pleased with the tempo, focus and businesslike approach in today's practice session. Classes started Monday and that was an off day for us. It gave the guys a chance to get back into the swing of classes. Of course, they had different classes today. We have been off the practice field since Sunday morning and that time off their feet seemed to help us today. They are also well aware game day is rapidly approaching. We began some specific installation for Eastern Michigan. Overall, it was a solid day of practice. Wednesday's schedule will be identical to todays, and hopefully, it will be just as productive.
Q: We have talked about most position groups during preseason, but not the specialists. How is this group progressing?
A: We have a terrific group of guys in our kickers, punters and long snappers. They work very hard and take a lot of pride in doing a good job. We spend a lot of time on special teams in practice, but there is also a significant period of time when Coach Justin Lustig is involved with the running backs. The specialists have a list of tasks to accomplish on their own at that time. It might be specialty kicks or addressing a problem area. At the same time, we don't want them to kick too much and wear out their legs. Everyone knows about our veterans, but I am pleased with some of the new players that are helping us as well. Freshman punter Kyle Schmidt has a strong leg and freshman long snapper John Godfrey is solid. Red-shirt freshman tight end Dylan Curry has also looked good snapping. He was a quarterback in high school. We have good depth at kick returner and punt returner, but I anticipate wide receiver Jamill Smith will again be our primary guy for those duties.
Q: What adjustments are made as Fall Camp ends and we head into game week preparations?
A: The main adjustment is the players time commitment to football is reduced dramatically once classes begin. The NCAA mandates no more than 20 hours per week are spent on football once the semester starts. This includes practice, meetings and weight training. We have to be very detailed about how much time we spend with them each day. Every practice and meeting is broken up into five minute increments for easy accounting. We also have to give them one day off from football each week. Beyond the countable time, student-athletes often spend additional time in the training room or watching video on their own. All of our guys get up and go to breakfast in the morning. This ensures they are getting the calories they need to start their day. It also ensures they are out of bed and going to class on time.
