Day Two Shows Progress, Room For Improvement
The Gamecocks practiced on Salls Field for two hours in helmets, moving one step closer to their Aug. 26 opener against UTEP. Rodriguez noted better organization from Wednesday's first practice, but still emphasized the need to get better, especially late in practice.
"Organizationally, we were better," Rodriguez said following Thursday's practice. "We were more prepared to transition from drill to drill. The end of practice was still a little bit gross.
Not in shape, guys were loafing – especially the young guys. " There are several new faces on the Jax State roster as the Gamecocks head into their first season in Conference USA and FBS. Most of the team reported in the summer for conditioning, making their head coach less lenient on not being ready for the first two morning workouts of fall camp.
"Most of them have been here all summer, so that's really not an excuse to have to slow down that much," Rodriguez said. "And it is a little warm, but it's warm for everybody this time of year in camp. We just have to get adjusted to it.
We have to get a little bit better and take care of our bodies. " The Gamecocks will continue camp on Friday morning with another two-hour morning workout, but they will progress into shells for the first time. Putting on shoulder pads is something that Rodriguez expects to ramp up the intensity of practice and make things seem closer to what things will look like when Jax State puts on full pads for the first time on Tuesday.
"I would hope it brings a little bit more intensity, but it also means that our guys have to learn how to practice, as well," Rodriguez said. "Having it in shells is almost like having it in full pads because we don't really tackle to the ground but in a couple of scrimmages. I'm sure tomorrow will be a learning experience for a lot of the guys, including some of the new coaches.
" Even though he's emphasized the areas where improvement is needed, the Gamecocks' second-year head coach closed Thursday's media session by praising his team's desire to learn and improve. That is something he will depend on as fall camp progresses. "I think they want to get better and that's the good thing about it," Rodriguez added.
"I think our guys know the challenge in front of them, they are eager to learn and they are being coachable. This is a good group, and I love working with them. " Jax State will open its season on August 26 at home against UTEP, which will also be the Gamecocks' first conference game in Conference USA.
It will be the first of six home games in 2023 and will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network. For season tickets, visit JaxStateSports. com/Tickets or call the Athletics Ticket Office at (256) 782-8499.
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