Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Finish First Week
4/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 1, 2006
Colorado State University completed its first week of spring practice Saturday with a two-hour workout. It was the second practice of the spring in full pads.
Sonny Lubick, in his 14th year as head coach of the Rams, said he was pleased with the team's workout Saturday and progress thus far through four workouts.
"I felt like we got a lot of things done," Lubick said following the drills. "I really feel we can be a decent football team."
Lubick's optimism stems from increased competition in the secondary and consistent play thus far in the offensive line.
"We have some guys in the secondary that you can see the confidence in their eyes," he said. "They been there before and you can see it in their play. We have some competition at several spots."
Colorado State lost a trio of starting offensive linemen from last year's squad. Those departures had Lubick worried when spring practice opened last Monday. But through four workouts, Lubick has been pleased.
"The offensive line will be okay. When you lose three starters, you are concerned," he said. "We have a couple of guys who started last year and a couple who played half the year."
Senior Clint Oldenburg, who has shifted from right tackle to left, has started every game the past two seasons. Likewise, senior and two-year starter Josh Day has been a fixture at guard. Oldenburg and Day figure to anchor the team's offensive line. Nick Allotta, who started nine games a year ago at center and guard, gained valuable experience and figures to be the team's top center. Dane Stratton was a top reserve at tackle, and looks to replace Oldenburg on the right side. The other guard spot has plenty of competition, according to Lubick.
The veteran coach has also been pleased with the play of quarterback Caleb Hanie. A junior-to-be from Forney, Tex., Hanie started five games as a true freshman in 2004 and played as a reserve last season. He opened the spring atop the depth chart.
"Caleb seems to have a real leg up," said Lubick of the competition for the top spot along with sophomore Billy Farris and redshirt freshman Grant Stucker. "The other two (players) are competing hard too."
"He (Hanie) started five games, and played last year. That really helps. He's going to make himself a player," Lubick said of Hanie.
Colorado State will return to the practice field Tuesday and Wednesday, and Lubick said the second weekday practice will feature the first live contact of the spring. Lubick is also aiming toward a situational scrimmage April 8.
