RUSTON, La. – With a week of spring practice complete, the Louisiana Tech offense has hit the field with energy and improved tempo during year two of the Sonny Cumbie era.
One of the most significant differences this spring compared to a year ago is the ease of practice, with the knowledge of the offense already intact for most players.
“Year two has made a big difference as the majority of our guys know where to go and what to do as compared to last year when they were still learning,” Co-Offensive Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach Scott Parr said.
The Bulldogs’ most experienced group on offense is the offensive line which returns four players who made multiple starts in 2022.
“Knowing the offense benefits us a lot heading into spring practice as we know what our roles are, and now it is about execution,” offensive lineman Bert Hale said. “We have a lot of guys back and we have played a lot of football together, will help us a lot.”
One of the many backs toting the rock behind the Bulldogs’ offensive line is Marquis Crosby, who earned honorable mention freshman All-American honors in 2022.
| “Last year we were getting a feel of things offensively where this year everyone knows the offense and what we have to do and it is now just getting out there and executing,” Crosby said.
Crosby also acknowledged that the competition in practice had risen this spring with the off-season additions made by the coaching staff.
“The energy has been excellent right now; the guys are competing,” Co-Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach Jake Brown said. “Heading into year two the guys know the offense very well and are playing a lot faster and more confidently.”
With a knowledge of the offense and renewed energy, Brown and Parr are looking to increase the tempo of the Bulldog offense in order to add more reps.
“The best thing about the tempo of our offense is that we get more reps in practice,” Parr said. “The quicker the tempo of our offense, the more reps we can generate for our players.”
In addition to a strong mix of returnees, Tech also hit the portal hard in the off-season bringing in talent and building depth on both sides of the football.
Among the transfers is quarterback Hank Bachmeier who has impressed during his first week in the red and blue.
“Hank has done really well so far,” Parr said. “Our players have a genuine respect for him, knowing what he has done and the credibility he has. He has led the right way and done well owning it. You can see our players have responded well to him.”
All-Conference talent in Cyrus Allen and Smoke Harris headline the Bulldogs’ wide receiver room.
“We have a great receiver room,” Brown said. “They are all making plays. We tell them if the ball is in the air it is your ball. Go find a way to make a play because earning the quarterback’s trust is your job. They have been doing a great job as a room, and the effort has been unbelievable. I am proud of those guys and how they have shown up in practice and in the film room.”
Tech will hit the practice field two more times this week while they continue to prep for the Spring Game on April 22 at 11 a.m. inside Joe Alliet Stadium.
For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please follow Louisiana Tech on social media at @LATechFB (Twitter), LATechFootball (Facebook), and @LATechFB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com. |
|
