Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Football Alters Spring Practice Dates
3/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 20, 2006
Colorado State University will begin spring football practice a day earlier than previously announced, head coach Sonny Lubick said today.
Lubick, entering his 14th season at the helm, will open spring drills Monday, Mar. 27, a day earlier than originally planned. Lubick and his staff made the change to avoid conflicts many student-athletes had with Tuesday afternoon class sessions.
"We had a high number of individualsa who have Tuesday afternoon classes. It's important for them to be able to attend those classes without a conflict. Moving some dates around seemed to be the easiest thing to do," Lubick said.
Following a practice March 27, the Rams will stage three other practices next week, with workouts planned for Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The entire practice schedule includes:
March: 27th, 29th, 30th April: 1st, 5th,6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 17, 19th, 21st, 22nd (spring game)
Lubick will have 15 starters returning from last year's team that played Navy in the first-ever Poinsettia Bowl. Junior Caleb Hanie figures to replace departed senior Justin Holland as the team's quarterback. Hanie started five games as a true freshman in 2004, and played as a reserve last season behind Holland, who concluded his career as one of the most prolific passers in school history.
The Rams must also replace receiver David Anderson, whoc finished his CSU career as the school's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Two-year starter Dustin Osborn, along with top reserves Johnny Walker, George Hill and Luke Roberts form a talented receiving corps.
H-back Kory Sperry was third on the team in receiving with 42 receptions last year behind Anderson (86) and Walker (43). Sperry figures to be one of the Mountain West Conference's top tight ends in 2006.
Defensively, Colorado State has five returning starters including cornerback Robert Herbert, who was fourth on the team wiht 72 tackles a year ago and led the league with 12 pass defelections. Also expected back in the secondary is safety Ben Stratton, who redshirted last season after suffering a knee injury that required surgery during preseason workouts.
Under NCAA guidelines, squads can conduct 15 workouts over a 29-day span. Ten of those workouts can be in full pads. Colorado State concludes spring workouts with an intrasquad spring game April 22 at French Field adjacent to Rocky Mountain High School. Kickoff time is 11 a.m. The Spirit Committee of the Ram Club will also host its annual free pancake breakfast at French Field from 9-11 a.m., preceding the football game.
