Coach McCarney Pleased With Team's First Practices

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State head football coach Dan McCarney talked briefly with reporters during Friday's practice, the third of the preseason. ISU opens the season Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. against Toledo. ISU has media day Saturday and then an autograph session from 3 p.m.-4 p.m. tomorrow in the Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility.

How have things gone the first couple of days?

Coach McCarney: "Well, I think we have gotten a lot done. We are throwing so much at them and there is so much installation of schemes on both sides of the ball. The first two days, by NCAA rules, were just shorts. Today is the first day with shoulder pads and helmets, so we will find out more and can evaluate everyone a little more. We aren't taking guys to the ground, it isn't a scrimmage, but obviously it's a lot livelier. You can find out a lot more and teach the guys a lot more when you have shoulder pads and helmets on. But the newcomers are picking it up really fast. We are throwing it at them and they are real consciences. We are getting as much extra meeting time and walk-through time as you can during two-a-days and it is paying off."

But in these first two days, you are moving beyond just the basics?

"Yes. When it is just 27 days until kick-off you can't spoon-feed or slowly give them information. We just have to throw it at them and it is their responsibility to learn. We ask our kids to help each other and coach each other, don't stand in the back and screw around while a play is being run. Get the call, listen, lock in, learn, communicate, talk to your teammates, ask questions from your coaches and you will have a chance to improve. As days go by we will keep evaluating to find out who are going to be our best 22 guys to be on the field."

Luckily, the heat isn't so bad, but have you had any problems keeping the players hydrated at all?

"No, our hydration plan here is as good as any that I have ever been around and every time you turn around you have a trainer right there with a bottle of water. (The players) weigh in and weigh out every day, and they are very precise on keeping track of how much weight they lose each day and how much fluid they have to replace, so it just isn't much of a problem. But we are very smart about it and we don't take anything for granted and under (ISU head trainer) Mark Coberley's this is as good as it gets in college football or the NFL."

Iowa State University Athletics

Coach McCarney Pleased With Team's First Practices

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