Southern Utah

[89rabbit]

Here is a blurb from the Thunderbird web site:

http://www.suu.edu/athletics/football/release.html

Southern Utah University will open its quest for the initial Great West Football Conference championship Thursday when the Thunderbirds welcome newcomers and returning players to fall camp. All players are scheduled to report Thursday for orientation with the first practice slated for 4:00 p.m. at the Thunderbird practice facility.
The Thunderbirds open the season Sept. 4, at Weber State and begin GWFC play Oct. 9, at home against Cal Poly in the annual homecoming game.
“We’re excited to get going,” first-year Head Coach Wes Meier said. “We feel like our returning players have had a great off-season as far as conditioning and individual workouts go and we’re looking forward to seeing our newcomers as well.”
Southern Utah returns the bulk of its starters from last year on both sides of the ball, with eight returning on both offense and defense. . . .

Go State, beat the Thunderbirds! ;D

[89rabbit]

Re: Southern Utah

A quick story from SUU land about the opening of fall practice.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595083607,00.html

SUU opens football camp today
     Southern Utah University will open its quest for the initial Great West Football Conference championship today when the Thunderbirds welcome newcomers and returning players to fall camp. All players are scheduled to report for orientation with the first practice slated for 4 p.m. at the Thunderbird practice facility.
     The Thunderbirds open the season Sept. 4, at Weber State and begin GWFC play Oct. 9, at home against Cal Poly in the annual homecoming game.
     "We're excited to get going," first-year coach Wes Meier said. "We feel like our returning players have had a great off-season as far as conditioning and individual workouts go and we're looking forward to seeing our newcomers as well."
     Southern Utah returns the bulk of its starters from last year on both sides of the ball, with eight returning on both offense and defense.
     Linebacker Nick DiPadova (6-0, 205, Sr) is a pre-season second-team all-American (The Sports Network) after earning third-team honors last year. He will lead a defense that has been tabbed by many as one of the best in the nation as it also returns 2003 I-AA all-Independent selections Sitiveni Tuivai (DE, 6-4, 250, Sr), Major Salanoa (DT, 6-2, 250, Sr), Steve Smith (S, 6-0, 185, Jr) and Brandon Perkins (S, 6-1, 195, Jr) and has added pre-season all-Big 12 pick Marques Harris (LB, 6-2, 235, Sr), who transferred to SUU from Colorado in late summer.
     The offensive side of the ball isn't exactly bare either as the Thunderbirds have 2003 all-Indies Iosefa Robins (OT, 6-4, 315, Sr) and A.J. Smith (WR, 6-0, 175, Sr) back along with QB Casey Rehrer (6-0, 185, Sr) and a group of returning receivers and linemen.
     "We have a lot of talent coming back on both sides of the ball," Meier said. "I guess Nick is our name player and we have several guys who were all-independent last year but we a lot of talented players who didn't get any recognition last year too."
     Practice Schedule: SUU will split into two groups for the first few days of practices (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday) as NCAA regulations prohibit full contact for the first five days of camp and will hold their first full-contact practice Wednesday, Aug. 18. Practices are scheduled for 9:55 a.m. and 4:25 p.m. through Aug. 27 with morning practices every day and afternoon practices on alternating days. Scrimmages are scheduled for Aug. 21 at 10:00 a.m. as well as on Aug. 18 and 25. The team will begin game-week preparation Aug. 30, with practices scheduled for 4:25 p.m.  

Quick Outlook: Although the Thunderbirds will have their third head coach in as many years the team will have consistency as Meier retained the staff, and the philosophy, from last year's 4-7 squad. . . .




Go Jacks!