Elon Football Works Out With Full Pads For First Time in Spring Practice

ELON, N.C. – Completing its fourth of 15 spring practices today, April 5, the Elon University football team practiced in full pads for the first time under the new coaching staff led by head coach Rich Skrosky.

The Phoenix practiced for a little more than one hour on the Hunt and Tucker practice fields next to Rhodes Stadium.

In their third practice of the month yesterday, April 4, the Phoenix practiced with only upper pads and helmets.

Here are some thoughts from defensive coordinator Jerry Petercuskie:

On the team’s first practice in full pads:
“They looked alright. A lot of it is a process and it takes time. They’re running around and giving some effort so that’s a good thing.

How is the defense reacting to its third defensive coordinator in three years?
It’s something that’s slow and takes a lot of time to adjust to. The good thing is they’re intellectually involved in it and they’re trying to execute physically when they get on the field. That’s the good thing about it.

On what he hopes to have accomplished by the end of spring practice:
Attitude. We have to play with an attitude. That’s the key that they have to understand here. There’s a certain type of attitude, certain type of expectation and that’s what we’re looking for.

On who he’s looking at to step up in practice:
Everybody has to step up. It doesn’t matter if you’re third team or second team, everybody has to raise their level of play. That’s the whole idea of being a team. Everybody is just as important no matter if your first team or third. It takes everybody that’s involved in order to be a successful team and a successful program.

All practice sessions are open to the public and the full schedule is listed below. Practice dates, times and locations are subject to change due to weather conditions.

Fans interested in attending practice sessions should contact Jonathan Small, director of football operations, at 336-278-6718.

2014 Elon Phoenix Spring Football Practice Schedule
Sunday, April 6 – 4 p.m.
Monday, April 7 – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9 – 5 p.m.
Friday, April 11 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 – 10:30 a.m.
Monday, April 14 – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16 – 5 p.m.
Friday, April 18 – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 – 5 p.m.
Friday, April 25 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 26 – 6 p.m. Spring Game (Rhodes Stadium)