Colorado State University Athletics
Football Prepares Despite Open Week
11/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2006
Colorado State University returned to the football practice field Thursday for a 90-minute workout.
Coach Sonny Lubick's squad has the second of two open dates this weekend, before returning to action Nov. 25 against TCU. Next week's contest is the final home game for 10 CSU seniors.
The open week, Lubick said, has allowed the Rams to focus introspectively instead of primarily focusing on next week's game with the Horned Frogs.
"We focused more on ourselves," he said Thursday. "We did a touch of work on TCU, but it was mainly our stuff. There was better competition that way."
Lubick said his team would turn its attention to TCU Monday, when the Rams resume workouts after an open weekend.
He also said one of his goals this week was to evaluate the team's mental state.
"I wanted to see the mental outlook to see if all of us including the head coach, the assistants, everyone, were working with a sense of purpose, not just going through the motions," he said.
"We did get some things accomplished. We are starting to get some injured guys healthy, and by Monday, they can be fresher and have a better outlook," Lubick said.
While the Rams won't be playing this weekend, Lubick and his staff expect to be busy. Lubick said several of his staff members will scatter throughout the state, watching high school playoff games.
With school recessed on CSU's campus for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Rams will have an altered workout schedule next week. Lubick said he has scheduled noon workouts Monday and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. workout Wednesday, and a brief morning workout Thanksgiving Day.
He also said many first-year players who are redshirting will depart for home Friday when classes dismiss, then not return to workouts until the following week when the Rams play their final game of the season at San Diego State.
Kickoff for next week's game is 5 p.m. in Fort Collins. CSU athletic department officials announced earlier this week a special ticket promotion for the game. Youth general admission tickets are $1, and general admission seating on the east side of the stadium is $10.