ELON, N.C. -- With just days before the annual Spring Game, the Elon Phoenix football team returned to the Hunt and Tucker practice fields on Thursday morning for a work out.  The Phoenix continued to work on all aspects of the game in a session that lasted just over two hours.

We got coach Jason Swepson's thoughts on last Saturday's scrimmage and the lead up to this Saturday's Spring Game (1 p.m. in Rhodes Stadium).

On last weekend's scrimmage:

"The penalties were cut down.  We did have some turnovers, but I was happy to see the defense create those turnovers.  The defense is playing extremely fast right now.  We want to get even faster.  I like where we're at.  Thomas Wilson and Aaron Mellette had great springs.  The one I'm really excited about, who I think has taken his game to a whole new level, is Rasaun Rorie.  On special teams, we need a good summer.  We have three veterans there.  We just have to stay healthy and have all our bullets ready for conference play."

On Friday's final tune-up before Saturday's Spring Game:

"We won't do too much banging.  We'll work on some situational stuff.  The defense has to work on the triple option so we get that on film.  On offense, we need to fine tune some routes and continue to work on the run game."

On having fewer players in the spring:

"With having smaller numbers, we didn't do the physical banging that you usually want to get accomplished in spring ball.  But we got a lot of speed work and perimeter stuff done.  I know we're fast.  In the preseason we will have to be a little more physical."

On Saturday's Spring Game:

"We want to get out of there healthy.  We can't afford to get anyone dinged up because we need an unbelievable summer lifting program.  Once the spring game is over, we're right into summer mode.  On offense, we want to see limited turnovers and pre-snap penalties.  We want to see if those inside receivers can handle the run game.  We will try to play a normal first half and then do a running clock in the second half."

2012 Elon Phoenix Spring Football Practice Upcoming Schedule
Friday, April 27th – 3:50 p.m.
Saturday, April 28th – 1:00 p.m. (Spring Game – Rhodes Stadium)