The media was asked to be diligent about detailed availability during this week's practices. Therefore, we won’t be recording a two-deep in our report. We kindly request that you don’t ask any questions about player availability because we cannot answer them. Thanks for your understanding.
Full report by Ryan Myers
Post stretches, the offensive unit got underway with its usual individual drills, which consisted of hard hits and intense action following the team's most impressive victory of the season.
The offensive line got started with one-on-one work as the players took turns running through one another and pushing them forward to warm up footwork and movement. They quickly shuffled over to the machines for individual explosive drills, getting off the blocks fast and pushing forward in a hurry.
The remainder of the offense drilled routine catching and ball security drills, there was no contact segment in the beginning stages of practice for the offense, with two games in six days resetting the body was a critical portion of Tuesday’s practice.
The offense moved to its first team tempo segment of practice. The offense put together smart drives, connecting on medium-distance passes and not making negative plays. Running back DeCarlos Brooks made the play of the segment, breaking past the line of scrimmage for a 20-yard carry.
Following tempo, the wide receivers worked on controlling depths, running a variety of routes such as curls and comebacks without exposing their next move or motion, as position coach Hines Ward expressed the importance of being dynamic to avoid giving away reads. Ward lined up at defensive back to cover his guys one-on-one as they practiced helping out with the progression of his players. Wide receivers Troy Omiere and Xavier Guillory ran notable routes that earned praise from Ward.
The tight end group worked with the offensive line on blocking sequences, working with tackles on outside blocking and run-game movements. At the same time, the inside players did their own thing with formational movement and shifting across the offensive front.
The second session of Team tempo got underway; Guillory opened up strongly for the offense on a first down completion; the unit was up and down on the drive, however, struggling to sustain momentum as the defensive shut down on the run game.
Post-tempo, the offense practiced against the scout team in preparation for Saturday's matchup with Cincinnati. They began from the red zone, eyeing possible touchdown plays and exploitable situations. The plays consisted of a mixed bag of running and passing looks. The offensive coordinator wanted to switch formations consistently on Tuesday, assuming that was intentional to stay multi-dimensional.
The defensive unit migrated to the offense, and the seven-on-seven session of practice got underway. The offense started off growing, with Skattebo and Guillory making athletic receptions. The team progressed its looks to become more direct as time went on, as Tyson appeared eager to catch deep passes routinely.
The offensive practice ended with a lot of scout team plays. The team looked drilled on preparing for the upcoming opponent over running the players into the ground after two energetic home games. The flow was still ticking, however, as the focus was high, and the team’s play was subsequently executed with diligence.
Defensive report
Following stretches the defensive line started with machines, hitting the tackle dummies and focusing on form and hand placement over anything, Defensive tackle Justin Wodtly, who missed the Utag game, did practice and struggled for his first rep however position coach Diron Reynolds gave him some quick advice along with defensive end Clayton Smith and Wodtly executed the drill to perfection his next go around. Defensive ends Prince Dorbah and Elijah O’Neal started off the drill with strong reps.
The first iteration of team tempo started cautiously for the defense, not posing any negative plays against the offense whilst keeping them at bay and limiting any big or explosive plays, forcing completions for short gains, and limiting the running game on numerous occasions. Kicker Ian Hershey finished the segment with a made field goal from roughly 45 yards out.
Following tempo, the individual drills began staying on par with the usual practice days, defensive backs got going with footwork and ball anticipation breaking on passes and catching them in stride. Safeties hit the open field dummies and bags continuing to channel wrapping up opponents and not allowing big plays.
Linebackers worked rushing on the scout team's offensive line, which prevented them from getting to the pocket and taking down the offensive players. Jordan Crook and Caleb McCullough led the way with two impressive reps back-to-back on the drill.
The second iteration of team tempo started again, the defnese was well kept up front adding pressure to the pocket and forcing difficult plays for the running backs. Over the air, they stayed draped on the wide receivers minimizing any completions.
Following tempo, the punt team spent time going through the motions on blocking schemes, as freshman Kanyon Floyd got to keep his legs loose by blasting punts downfield despite the team not running through any live reps. Running back Cam Skattebo was on the punt team for practice, Dillingham claimed he called him out for not participating in a past practice after he took up the role wanting to do it. The Kickoff unit was simple walk-throughs as the kicks by Parker Lewis were blasted the players jogged through live-action kick-off plays not making any tackles or contact.
During 11-on-11 against the scout team, the defense prepared the same situations as the offense, defending from their own 20-yard line, which consisted of stopping the run and forcing awkward passes without giving up the deep ball.
The secondary split up from the lineman as defensive coordinator Brian Ward started with zone coverages and scheme as they simulated shifts with the scout team offense
The seven-on-sevens began and the defensive unit turned it up a notch from team tempo, linebackers Keyshaun Elliot and Crook made quality reads time and time again forcing incompletions over the middle. Elliot ended up with an interception after reading the quarterback's eyes and getting into the lane.
11-on-11 against the scout team was the ending of practice for the defensive players as well, starting with run defense safety Myles Roswer showed why he leads the team in total tackles, stopping the scout team guys from gaining any momentum reading runs and making big plays.
A special guest made an appearance at Tuesday’s practice, former Arizona State and NFL tight end Todd Heap. He was seen talking to coaches and players enjoying his time watching the program work.
Full report by Ryan Myers
Post stretches, the offensive unit got underway with its usual individual drills, which consisted of hard hits and intense action following the team's most impressive victory of the season.
The offensive line got started with one-on-one work as the players took turns running through one another and pushing them forward to warm up footwork and movement. They quickly shuffled over to the machines for individual explosive drills, getting off the blocks fast and pushing forward in a hurry.
The remainder of the offense drilled routine catching and ball security drills, there was no contact segment in the beginning stages of practice for the offense, with two games in six days resetting the body was a critical portion of Tuesday’s practice.
The offense moved to its first team tempo segment of practice. The offense put together smart drives, connecting on medium-distance passes and not making negative plays. Running back DeCarlos Brooks made the play of the segment, breaking past the line of scrimmage for a 20-yard carry.
Following tempo, the wide receivers worked on controlling depths, running a variety of routes such as curls and comebacks without exposing their next move or motion, as position coach Hines Ward expressed the importance of being dynamic to avoid giving away reads. Ward lined up at defensive back to cover his guys one-on-one as they practiced helping out with the progression of his players. Wide receivers Troy Omiere and Xavier Guillory ran notable routes that earned praise from Ward.
The tight end group worked with the offensive line on blocking sequences, working with tackles on outside blocking and run-game movements. At the same time, the inside players did their own thing with formational movement and shifting across the offensive front.
The second session of Team tempo got underway; Guillory opened up strongly for the offense on a first down completion; the unit was up and down on the drive, however, struggling to sustain momentum as the defensive shut down on the run game.
Post-tempo, the offense practiced against the scout team in preparation for Saturday's matchup with Cincinnati. They began from the red zone, eyeing possible touchdown plays and exploitable situations. The plays consisted of a mixed bag of running and passing looks. The offensive coordinator wanted to switch formations consistently on Tuesday, assuming that was intentional to stay multi-dimensional.
The defensive unit migrated to the offense, and the seven-on-seven session of practice got underway. The offense started off growing, with Skattebo and Guillory making athletic receptions. The team progressed its looks to become more direct as time went on, as Tyson appeared eager to catch deep passes routinely.
The offensive practice ended with a lot of scout team plays. The team looked drilled on preparing for the upcoming opponent over running the players into the ground after two energetic home games. The flow was still ticking, however, as the focus was high, and the team’s play was subsequently executed with diligence.
Defensive report
Following stretches the defensive line started with machines, hitting the tackle dummies and focusing on form and hand placement over anything, Defensive tackle Justin Wodtly, who missed the Utag game, did practice and struggled for his first rep however position coach Diron Reynolds gave him some quick advice along with defensive end Clayton Smith and Wodtly executed the drill to perfection his next go around. Defensive ends Prince Dorbah and Elijah O’Neal started off the drill with strong reps.
The first iteration of team tempo started cautiously for the defense, not posing any negative plays against the offense whilst keeping them at bay and limiting any big or explosive plays, forcing completions for short gains, and limiting the running game on numerous occasions. Kicker Ian Hershey finished the segment with a made field goal from roughly 45 yards out.
Following tempo, the individual drills began staying on par with the usual practice days, defensive backs got going with footwork and ball anticipation breaking on passes and catching them in stride. Safeties hit the open field dummies and bags continuing to channel wrapping up opponents and not allowing big plays.
Linebackers worked rushing on the scout team's offensive line, which prevented them from getting to the pocket and taking down the offensive players. Jordan Crook and Caleb McCullough led the way with two impressive reps back-to-back on the drill.
The second iteration of team tempo started again, the defnese was well kept up front adding pressure to the pocket and forcing difficult plays for the running backs. Over the air, they stayed draped on the wide receivers minimizing any completions.
Following tempo, the punt team spent time going through the motions on blocking schemes, as freshman Kanyon Floyd got to keep his legs loose by blasting punts downfield despite the team not running through any live reps. Running back Cam Skattebo was on the punt team for practice, Dillingham claimed he called him out for not participating in a past practice after he took up the role wanting to do it. The Kickoff unit was simple walk-throughs as the kicks by Parker Lewis were blasted the players jogged through live-action kick-off plays not making any tackles or contact.
During 11-on-11 against the scout team, the defense prepared the same situations as the offense, defending from their own 20-yard line, which consisted of stopping the run and forcing awkward passes without giving up the deep ball.
The secondary split up from the lineman as defensive coordinator Brian Ward started with zone coverages and scheme as they simulated shifts with the scout team offense
The seven-on-sevens began and the defensive unit turned it up a notch from team tempo, linebackers Keyshaun Elliot and Crook made quality reads time and time again forcing incompletions over the middle. Elliot ended up with an interception after reading the quarterback's eyes and getting into the lane.
11-on-11 against the scout team was the ending of practice for the defensive players as well, starting with run defense safety Myles Roswer showed why he leads the team in total tackles, stopping the scout team guys from gaining any momentum reading runs and making big plays.
A special guest made an appearance at Tuesday’s practice, former Arizona State and NFL tight end Todd Heap. He was seen talking to coaches and players enjoying his time watching the program work.
