Saturday, August 15 -- Millsaps wrapped up its third fall practice today just before 6 p.m., going through three hours of drills in helmets and shoulder pads for a first time.

Comments from head coach Mike DuBose:
Talk about a few key areas you worked on today and what you liked.
"I'm excited about special teams. We've basically got our entire unit returning. Will Lawrimore, our outstanding punter who we've had for three years, has continued to get better. We've also got \#Taylor Russolino\#, \#Taylor Weaver\# and another young man we brought in, \#Stephen Gates\#, who's kicking the ball well. We feel we've got some quality depth in the kicking game. 

\#Tony Bellan\#, \#Lee Klein\# and \#Will Derrick\# deep snapping have good experience and have worked in the past. Then we've got \#Sam Herman\# and three freshman kickers with unbelievable potential. The biggest part is the adjustment of coach \#Drew Willis\# taking over special teams for Aaron Pelch who left for the Oakland Raiders. He's doing an outstanding job and I will be very, very disappointed if we're not good in special teams."

Talk about the enthusiasm the seniors have shown through the first three practices.
"They've got the opportunity to be another outstanding class, and I challenged them in our first meeting to continue to raise the bar like the previous class. We've got some guys who are not only good football players and good people, but outstanindg leaders. Through the first three practices, I couldn't ask for more from a leadership standpoint."

The defensive line looked good today and made some big plays. Talk about that. 
"Well, I think our defensive line and our inside and outside linebackers are the strength of our football team defensively. With David (Dale) and Mason (Burrell) on the outside and Kyle (Hughes) on the inside, we've got some depth. We've also brought in some young depth. Put that in there with our linebacker corps, and our front seven should be really good."

Comments from defensive backs coach Bobby Willcox:
You just joined the staff in May. Talk about your first few practices at Millsaps.
"Coach DuBose's defense is one of the toughest I've ever been a part of, but the kids are coming along and picking it up day-by-day. I'm working with the 3's and 4's, while he's working with the 1's and 2's so that we can get a lot of reps in."

Talk about some things you liked from your unit in the first few days.
"Some of the younger guys are starting to make some picks, while the veteran guys are getting their hands on a lot of balls. It's only the third day, so we've got some time to get it all straightened out."

With the loss of four starting DB's to graduation, is every spot up for grabs?
"It's open, and I like competition. Once the young guys learn, they'll push the older guys."

What are some personal goals for your defensive backs this year?
"Last year's team had a lot of knockdowns in the secondary, but should have probably had more picks as much as they got their hands on them. I'd like to have our guys get more picks if they're getting their hands on them a lot."

Comments from senior defensive back Sam Herman:
Talk about moving over to defensive back from linebacker this year.
"First off, it's a big transition because everything is reversed and there are a lot more calls you have to learn. But we're just working hard, watching a lot of film and trying to make the right calls."

Talk about what you've focused on the first few days of practice in the new position.
"Alignment, assignment and playing with my eyes. I've just got to get used to reading my keys, lining up right and flying to the football."

What are some personal goals for yourself this season?
"Improve as a player and to help this team get a national championship."

Comments from junior offensive lineman Adam Williams:
Before you got to camp, what are some things you worked on this summer?
"I dropped about 15 pounds, but couldn't lift weights as much as I wanted to because of summer school and a job. I did a lot of running and jump rope to stay conditioned."

Talk about how different it is blocking for Chris Graves as opposed to Juan Joseph.
"It's really no different. They are all quarterbacks. Juan had a better grasp of the offense, but us as an offensive line and Shane (Bowser) at running back, we'll make the job a lot easier for Chris and give him time. He's got great receivers too, so we're just trying to gel as a team."  

We gave up just 14 sacks in 12 games last year to lead the conference. What are some areas you guys are working on the most right now?
"A lot of footwork and not being complacent. We didn't come out starting slow... we came out full speed. We're going at it hard like we're preparing for a game the next day."

What are some personal goals for yourself this season?
"Of course, I plan to not give up any sacks. But my biggest goal is to be recognized as an All-American player, because I believe I have the talent and capabilities to do that. I just want to help make the younger guys better so we can help the program in the future."

Comments from freshman wide receiver Jeffrey Hampton:
New to this team, talk about your first few practices.
"I'm excited. It's the same offense we ran in high school but a little more complicated and will take some getting used to. There are a few deeper routes and things like that."

Talk about some things you've learned with new receivers coach Adam Nelson.
"He really worked on my technique and how I can perfect it, keeping my hands up when I come off routes and looking at the defensive back instead of the quarterback so that I can create more space and catch the ball."

What are some personal goals for yourself this year as an incoming freshman?
"I just want to try and fit in and help where I can. If I start, that's fine. If not, I just want to get us where we need to be this year."
 
Injury Report for 8/15/09:
-Martin Haaga is still out and will be re-evaulated on Monday. 
-Joshua Parker is still sick but might be able to go tomorrow.
-Grant Thibodeaux is banged up a little bit and not able to go right now.

Millsaps will go from 3-6 p.m. tomorrow at Harper Davis Field, with two-a-days beginning on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m.