Colorado State University Athletics
Ram Football Completes First Two-A-Day Practice
8/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2005
With a more experienced team than he has had at Colorado State University in several years, coach Sonny Lubick is expecting consistently solid practice sessions.
Lubick, in his 13th year at the helm, said Wednesday with a wealth of experienced players on hand, he expects more each day from his squad.
"With a veteran ballclub, we should have mostly good practices," Lubick said. "We have enough guys who have been through it. We should not have those lulls."
Lubick put his team through two workouts Wedesday, the first in full pads, the afternoon session in shoulder pads and helmets. It was the first time this fall preseason the Rams have conducted two workouts in. The team will practice once Thursday, twice Friday, and once Saturday as they continue workouts.
"Today was a good practice. We have to avoid those bad practices," Lubick said.
While the Rams continue to improve under Lubick's watchful eyes, he wants more concentration near the end of a workout.
"Toward the end of practice, when one side or the other makes a big play, the other side is just trying to survive, get to the end of practice. That's where you would like to see more excitement."
Lubick said middle linebacker Courtney Jones, hampered a year ago by aching knees, has been impressive thus far.
"Courtney Jones has been playing well, and the reason is he's one of those guys who worked extra hard. During the spring, the summer, he never missed a workout. You can tell. It pays off," Lubick said.
Jones is a 6-foot, one-inch senior from Arlington, Tex., who finished sixth on the team with 53 tackles a season ago. Lubick is expecting even more from him in 2005.
"He knows what's going on. After being here for four years, there are plays he should recognize before they happen. I feel like he'll make plays for us," Lubick said.
Defensive end Terrance Carter returned to practice Wednesday morning on a limited basis. He left Sunday's workout due to a minor concussion. Safety Ben Stratton has a right hip pointer and did not practice in the afternoon session. Defensive end Matt Rupp (hamstring) is out indefinitely. Linebacker Luke Adkins, a starter last season, remains sidelined after undergoing off-season knee surgery. His return is unknown.
Colorado State opens the season Sept. 3 against the University of Colorado in Boulder. Kickoff time is 1:30 p.m. The game will be shown live by TBS, and can be heard on the Colorado State Sports Network including flagship station KCOL (600 AM) in Fort Collins and KNUS (710 AM) in Denver. Rich Bircumshaw calls the play-by-play, Erik Olson is the analyst, and Brian Roth provides sideline reports. Kevin McGlue is the game producer.
Tickets to all five of CSU's home games in 2005 - including dates with Front Range rivals Air Force and Wyoming, along with Utah, San Diego State, and Nevada, are on sale by calling 1-800-491-RAMS, or online at CSURAMS.com. Single-game tickets are also available at all King Soopers and City Market grocery store locations throughout the state of Colorado.
Colorado State opens the home schedule Sept. 24, playing host to the University of Nevada in the newly-renovated Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. Game time is 4 p.m.
