ELON, N.C. – The Elon University football team continued its spring practice season on Saturday, April 2, on the Hunt and Tucker practice fields. It marked the third overall practice and first in uppers for the Phoenix squad.

Here were some thoughts from head coach Rich Skrosky following Saturday's workout:

General thoughts on week one:
"I was really pleased. The energy was good all the way through. Sometimes you get to that first padded practice and things get a little awry. It was a competitive practice today. We did some situational stuff for the first time today and it was good."

On the staff changes:
"God love Jerry Petercuskie and everything he brought. Obviously, when you lose an experienced guy like Jerry and bring in a younger guy like Gerald the dynamic changes. You watch Gerald around here and the energy level that he brings to those guys, he just goes. Even when he's in a meeting, it's a high-intensity meeting. And the Coach Madden, I'm so proud of him. He's very bright. He knows this defense. He knows every detail and nuance because he's been in it for so long. His preparation has been awesome."

On the adjustment defensive linemen have made to a new coach:
"The positive is that nothing changed systematically. Not only do they have the coaching change, but we lost four starters. You have a group that hasn't played a lot and they have to rise up. Our defensive leaders have to take ownership. I think they're responding. I really think the guys have responded well to the new personality."

On the next week:
"We're still installing some stuff. We did a little situational stuff today, but that will really start to grow next week. We'll do more third down situations, short field situations and by the end of the week we'll get some clock situations in. We're a more mature team this year, so those things should start to resonate a little bit. We have to play better situational football than we did last fall."

2016 Elon Phoenix Spring Football Practice Schedule
Monday, April 4 – 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6 – 3:45 p.m.
Friday, April 8 – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, April 9 – 10 a.m. (Rhodes Stadium)
Monday, April 11 – 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 13 – 3:45 p.m.
Friday, April 15 – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 – 10 a.m. (Rhodes Stadium)
Monday, April 18 – 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20 – 3:45 p.m.
Friday, April 22 – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, April 23 – 6 p.m. (Rhodes Stadium, Spring Game)