SWOSU Ready to Begin Spring Football Practice

March 30, 2005

Weatherford, OK - Southwestern Oklahoma State ’s football program begins laying the foundation for what promises to be an exciting season when the Bulldogs begin spring practice.

New coach Ryan Held and his revamped coaching staff will have its first good look Tuesday when 85 players are expected to take part in the drills. The Bulldogs will practice the NCAA allowable 15 times and will meet each Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the next three weeks.

Held said his primary focus during the three weeks will be for his team to become fundamentally sound and to better execute the basic elements of football.

“We are going to spend a lot of time blocking, tackling and improving ourselves fundamentally,” Held said. “The players understand that we want them to be tougher both physically and mentally. This is where it all starts.”

While the Bulldogs return 17 starters from the offensive and defensive side of the ball, SWOSU’s coaching staff has a an eye on the future, as a number of reserves along with a large class of junior college transfers and other newcomers could work their way into the future plans of the program.

“We need to find depth at both sides of the ball, especially the offensive and defensive lines. We’re also giving a good look at who quarterbacks this team. We have three or four running backs who have the physical ability but need to prove they can do it on the field.”

Spring practice will culminate with the annual Blue-White Intrasquad Game on Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m.