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WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football coach Ryan Walters fancies himself as a morning person.
Walters, with seemingly fresh legs, bounced up and down and dabbed his players with cornerbacks coach Sam Carter.
“It’s just good to get up and get to work and while you’re alert fresh and already energized,” Walters said. “Then you’re energized when you go to class, get more out of the day and then workout in the afternoon.”
A lively energy permeated the Mollenkopf Athletic Center in this Tuesday morning practice. Confidence is abound for Walters and his staff, who are having their first full spring to improve the Boilermakers, who had the 67th ranked total defense in 2023.
Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) runs with the ball during Purdue football practice, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Mollenkopf Athletic Center in West Lafayette, Ind.
“The recall from the guys that were here last season helps,” Walters said. “Just the experience, knowing the whys within calls and what we are trying to get accomplished. The emphasis has been on not giving up explosive plays. We were feast or famine last year. Either we were getting negative yard plays for giving up touchdowns.”
Purdue defensive coordinator Kevin Kane believes the players are taking a more assertive and first-hand approach with how practices are being ran.
Reigning All-American safety and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Dillon Thieneman was working pad and tackling drills 20 minutes after practice ended.
More: Strong core of underclassmen gives Purdue football high hopes for next season
“You see a lot more ownership from the players over the program right now, which is good to see,” Kane said. “We’ve had several practices and every practice has been physical whether we are in pads or not in pads. Guys are putting hands on each other, they are battling and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pieces-energy-purdue-football-2024-200203230.html
Author : Journal & Courier
Publish date : 2024-04-02 20:02:03
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