Murray State University Athletics
Practice 1-Murray State Spring Football
3/28/2006 6:00:00 AM | Football
After a long wait since his December hiring, new Murray State Football head coach Matt Griffin finally had the chance to see his team on the practice field.
“Until yesterday, I hadn't stepped foot on this field,”
However,
In the Racers first day of 15 spring workouts, the work was done in helmets only, per NCAA rules, but it was intense and heavy on technique. Every part of the Racer squad from quarterbacks to linemen worked on technique of their positions.
About an hour into the workout, the first scrimmage-type drills were used when the offense went against the defense in a seven-on-seven passing competition. During the drill, all three MSU quarterbacks Ryne Salyer, Brad Frost and Chris Hirschfield completed passes to tight ends.
Two familiar faces were on the sidelines to see the first Griffin-led workout.
Chester Caddas and Stumpy Rayburn warmed in the spring sunshine and enjoyed seeing the Racers on the field again.
Rayburn played football for the Racers in the 1930's and was a member of the 1933 MSU team that had an undefeated season.
“I remember spring football practice,” Rayburn said. “It was a good time to limber up and knock the rust off.”
Caddas played at MSU and then enjoyed a 43 year coaching career that took him everywhere from
“I remember in 1956, I married my wife Betty two days before spring practice,” Caddas said. “There wasn't much time for a honeymoon.”
Reminiscing aside, the Racers are hoping to gain confidence during the spring and begin to develop a team.
MSU Notes:
If you look at the MSU practice field, you'll notice a new contraption. It's called a “Shoot”, some football players remember a permanent wooden device made to keep linemen low when they fire out of their three point stances. This one is made of aluminum and accomplishes the same thing as the wooden one.
Former MSU football coach Mike Gottfried is scheduled to apear in Murray Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes luncheon. The event is open to the public and will be held at First Baptist Church of Murray.
One of the bright spots to the Racers 2005 season was freshman Will Werner in the defensive backfield. However on day one of spring workouts Werner was sitting on the sidelines with a broken ankle he suffered March 17th during an off-season workout. Werner had to have several screws and a plate put into the ankle and he'll be in a cast for six weeks. Werner is hopeful to be ready to play in the fall. “Better now than later,” Werner said.
Former MSU All-America kicker Shane Andrus was at practice. Andrus signed with the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL a few weeks ago and is taking some time to visit family and friends in
All MSU spring workouts are open to the public and there is no admission charge.
The Racers will practice Thursday and Friday at
