From the Press Box

8:56 P.M., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010
TAYLOR BRYAN (EMAIL)

The Trojans were back at it again on Wednesday night, but this time the temperatures were significantly cooler following an afternoon storm that blew through the Wiregrass leading up to the start of practice.

The four-time defending Sun Belt champions completed a two and a half hour session with their first 11-on-11 action wearing shoulder pads.

“Luckily, the weather hit us early today with a big time thunderstorm and lighting with some heavy rain,” head coach Larry Blakeney said. “But this field loves the rain. It just rolls right off. It did cool down everything, there was a little light breeze and it wasn’t near as humid. We already had the mid-practice Powerade break setup and I think it helped the guys. We are hoping to get the same kind of break tomorrow.”

The Trojan receivers dealt with several dropped balls during the 11-on-11 portion, something Blakeney attributed to concentration, not a by-product of wet conditions.

“I don’t think it was wet as much as it was concentration,” Blakeney said. “I did notice several drops. You can holler at them and tell them to catch five in a row and they will go do it. All that has to do with is fundamentals – looking the ball in and tucking it away. I saw two or three kids drop them tonight because they looked to run with it before they caught the ball.”

With the threat of afternoon storms looming the rest of the week and the coaching staff also seeing an opportunity to escape the sweltering heat encountered on Tuesday evening, the Trojans will shift to 8:30 am practices the rest of this week and on Monday.

On Tuesday, the team will adjust to their regular fall schedule with practice being held mid-afternoon.

Troy's first scrimmage is still set for Saturday at 2:30 pm in Veterans Memorial Stadium.

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NOTES: Senior linebacker Daniel Sheffield (ankle) and sophomore offensive lineman Lance Gunn (knee) both missed Wednesday night's practice … Redshirt freshman Corey Robinson spent the 11-on-11 portion of practice running with the first team unit.