Productive spring nears close
Matt Jones
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
Defensively, Bobby Petrino said he will be looking for continued improvement from a unit hampered by injuries this spring.
Defensive tackle Ernest Mitchell and strongside linebacker Wendel Davis, starters from last season, have missed the entire spring recovering from off-season surgeries.
Safety Walner Leandre has also been limited in spring drills recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and cornerback Jerrell Norton has missed the majority of the spring after suffering a hamstring injury early on.
Those injuries have forced some upperclassmen to step up and perform this spring.
"We're learning," Bobby Petrino said. "We're young and we have a lot to learn. I think if you see the strides we've made with our entire depth…that it shows how well we're doing teaching."
While practices have been open to the public for the entire spring season, a much larger crowd is expected to be in attendance Saturday. Paul Petrino said that will affect the players.
"I think it's a big deal," Paul Petrino said. "Anytime there are people in the stands, you see guys that like to step up and guys that like to play. Obviously all 15 days count, but it definitely plays a role. You'd like to end on a real positive note so you feel good going into the summer."
The game will kickoff at 6 p.m., Saturday. Normal clock rules will apply in the first half, while the game clock will run continually in the second half.
Defensive tackle Ernest Mitchell and strongside linebacker Wendel Davis, starters from last season, have missed the entire spring recovering from off-season surgeries.
Safety Walner Leandre has also been limited in spring drills recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and cornerback Jerrell Norton has missed the majority of the spring after suffering a hamstring injury early on.
Those injuries have forced some upperclassmen to step up and perform this spring.
"We're learning," Bobby Petrino said. "We're young and we have a lot to learn. I think if you see the strides we've made with our entire depth…that it shows how well we're doing teaching."
While practices have been open to the public for the entire spring season, a much larger crowd is expected to be in attendance Saturday. Paul Petrino said that will affect the players.
"I think it's a big deal," Paul Petrino said. "Anytime there are people in the stands, you see guys that like to step up and guys that like to play. Obviously all 15 days count, but it definitely plays a role. You'd like to end on a real positive note so you feel good going into the summer."
The game will kickoff at 6 p.m., Saturday. Normal clock rules will apply in the first half, while the game clock will run continually in the second half.
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