SMSU Football Practice Begins on Saturday, August 4

MARSHALL, MINN.: The Southwest Minnesota State University football team will begin preparation for the 2007 season this Saturday, Aug. 4 when head coach Eric Eidsness is expected to welcome 123 student-athletes for the first day of fall practice.

The Mustangs will practice once daily from Aug. 4 through Aug. 8 as part of the NCAA acclimatization process. The first practice in full pads will be Wednesday, Aug. 8, with two-a-day practices beginning on Thursday, Aug. 9. NCAA rules instituted in 2003 prohibit two practices on back-to-back days.

SMSU will also hold two scrimmages during fall camp on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. and Friday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m., for preparation of its season opener on Thursday, Aug. 30 at home against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

SMSU enters fall practice with 42 returning letterwinners, which includes six starters on offense, seven on defense and two on special teams. Last season's squad finished 4-7 overall and 3-6 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The 2006 roster includes 12 seniors, 17 juniors, 26 sophomores, 28 redshirt freshmen and 40 true freshmen.

The fall roster includes 63 players on offense, 57 on defense and four placekickers/punters. On the offensive side of the ball, SMSU has six quarterbacks, six running backs, 20 wide receivers, eight tight ends and 23 offensive lineman. On defense, SMSU has 17 defensive lineman, 21 linebackers and 19 defensive backs.

SMSU returns five players who earned postseason accolades last season. Junior tight end Matt Fischer was named first team All-Northern Sun Conference and third team all-region, while junior kicker Scott Talcott was named second team All-NSIC. Senior linebacker Ben Adams and senior cornerback William Sutton were both named honorable mention All-NSIC while senior defensive lineman Brad Wolf earned NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors.

Here is the 2007 fall camp practice schedule:
Saturday, August 4 - 4:30-6:15 p.m.
Sunday, August 5 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Monday, August 6 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, August 7 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 8 - 8:10-11:00 a.m. (first day of full pads)
Thursday, August 9 - 8:10-10:30 a.m. and 3:10-5:30 p.m.
Friday, August 10 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Saturday, August 11 - 10:00 a.m. (scrimmage)
Sunday, August 12 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Monday, August 13 - 8:10-10:30 a.m. and 3:10-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 14 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 15 - 8:10-10:30 a.m. and 3:10-5:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 16 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Friday, August 17 - 7 p.m. (scrimmage)
Sunday, August 19 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Monday, August 20 - 8:10-10:30 a.m. and 3:10-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 21 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 23 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Friday, August 24 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.
Saturday, August 25 - 8:10-11:00 a.m.

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