The UND Drive Blog will provide an inside look at the 2011 Fighting Sioux fall camp that begins on Wednesday, Aug. 3. Before UND can begin its first official drive of the season vs. Drake on Sept. 1, the team will spend 29 days on a different kind of a drive as the Sioux will work hard to reach the common goal of being the best-prepared team at the Alerus Center on that Thursday evening against the Bulldogs and each subsequent game that follows.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Following its first day off the field during fall camp, a re-energized Fighting Sioux football team took to Memorial Stadium for an intense two-a-day session on Monday.
And, head coach Chris Mussman liked what he saw telling his players at the end, it was probably the best practice day of fall camp they have had. "It was a good day," he said. "We have to keep building on days like today and our guys know that."
He also told them the importance of not getting complacent and continuing to put the necessary work in in order to continue improving.
Sunday was not a complete day off for the squad as the team worked out in the swimming pool at the Hylsop Sports Center, but the Sioux did take a break from the turf to give their legs a much-needed break.
For seniors Broc Bellmore (West Fargo, N.D.) and Kenny Watkins (Plano, Texas), the day off paid dividends.
"We needed to get our focus back and the day off really helped," Bellmore said. "We came out firing today and we just have to keep that up the rest of fall camp."
Bellmore and the front seven put a lot of pressure on the offense today, forcing quick decisions and a lot of whistles to be blown, signalling the end of play. The work up front helped the defensive backs also have a good day.
"We are working hard, everyday, getting better," Watkins said. "It picked back up, some of the guys had tired legs from working so hard from the start of two-a-days. This afternoon it picked back up."
The Sioux will return to the practice field on Tuesday for another day of full contact.
News and Notes
-Most of the players that were held out of Saturday's scrimmage were back in action on Monday. Watkins was one of those players back on the field as the cornerback position was at full strength for both practices.
-Johnnie Daniels (Miami, Fla.), who had been relegated to sideline duty since early in camp, had his shoulder pads back on for the first time in over a week.
-There will be a live period at the end of Tuesday's practice, providing the coaches with another opportunity to evaluate at full speed.
-With 25 practices set for fall camp, today's second session marked the halfway point being reached as it was the 13th overall practice.
