Early risers

Plenty of NSU athletes were working before sunup today.

The football team hit the soon-to-be-replaced turf at Turpin at 6, and after 45 minutes of practice, went through a 40-minute, 42-play scrimmage that wrapped up at 7:20.

Over in Prather Coliseum, there was a Demon basketball workout. On the soccer field, the Lady Demons had one of their standard early morning sessions.

And as coach Bradley Dale Peveto told his football players after practice, "you've gotten more done already today than a lot of people will all day today. Now get some breakfast, get to class and keep it moving!"

Check back about lunchtime for a full scrimmage report. The defensive coaches will be supplying tackle totals. Offensively, the only touchdown was a 46-yard screen to flanker Spencer Harrell from quarterback Adam Fayard. Last year's starter at QB, John Hundley, was 6 for 7 for 44 yards, and walk-on tailback Terrence George was the top runner with 38 yards on 7 carries.

The first offensive unit was crisp and versatile, moving the ball well in its 18 plays, including 6 against the No. 1 defense.

Kasey Brown had an interception that would probably have gone for a touchdown. Blake Delcambre and Gary Riggs recovered fumbles. The intensity was high and the tackling good.

We'll also have .mp3 (sound) files of post-scrimmage interviews with Coach Peveto and offensive coordinator Todd Cooley along with the story, with photos by Gary Hardamon.