New schemes and renewed energy on first day of SMU Huskies spring training camp

“Practice was good. There was a lot of energy. I haven’t seen this much energy here since I came here two years ago.”

Those were the sentiments of Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Huskies linebacker, Kyle Norris after the morning practice session of spring training camp was completed at Huskies Stadium on Friday morning.

Offensive lineman Guillaume Gagnier says while it was only a two hour session, the atmosphere was perfect.

“It has been great,” says Gagnier, who is in his third season with the Huskies. “It’s very up-tempo, very rhythmic, everything is fast and we’re learning quickly.”

“It’s a new system but it’s still football; it’s not reinventing the wheel either.”

This marked the first spring training camp for Perry Marchese since he was instilled as Huskies head coach back in February. Marchese says it was a great atmosphere, yet a productive morning session.

“We had a great practice, lots of energy, good tempo, everyone was very interested in learning lots of new terminology and some new systems, so that was fantastic,” explains the Huskies head coach. “One of the big reasons we’re doing this is evaluation for us and it’s pretty tough to tell once you’ve just stepped off the field how the practice went.”

“You want to watch the film. I like the look of our team.”

As for how the Huskies offense is looking thus far, Marchese is optimistic.

“It’s very early to tell but lots of positives to take out of the morning practice,” says Marchese. “There are lots of things to build on and some things to fix but lots of positives to take out of it.”

One of the positives included how the quarterbacks preformed under pressure on the field.

“I thought our quarterbacks made some good decisions,” comments the SMU head coach. “The decision process was good but a little rusty.”

Another thing Marchese was impressed by was the offensive line.

“I thought our offensive line did a very good job getting off the ball which is always a very important thing and then for our backs, it’s a little difficult because we’re only in uppers so you don’t get a real feel for the backs hitting the holes hard, but I thought they made good decisions and their aiming points are where they are supposed to be.”

“There was all kinds of individual plays here and there but as a unit, it was a positive day and lots to build on.”

Huskies pivot Jack Creighton says he’s impressed with how the team has reacted to the offensive scheme.

“I felt a little rusty personally but our team is looking really good,” says the quarterback, who is in his fourth year with the team. “I think the new system that Coach Marchese has put in our offense is exciting.”

“We’re learning together, which is really good and exciting but for learning a new system right away, we’re looking really good.”

Defensively, the Huskies look solid due to the returning players coming back to unit.

“We’re returning a lot of players from last year, so we have an excellent returning core,” adds Huskies defensive coordinator, Devin Murphy. “There is a lot of experience so the younger guys can learn from the experienced guys, so that is good and it’s not a huge challenge there.”

“We did graduate our two starting defensive tackles and that’s probably the hole to fill right now but all the defensive backs and linebackers are pretty much all returning so things are intact.”

As for what to expect on the field next season as a defensive game plan, Murphy says it will be the same as all other teams in the AUS.

“Our priority is going to be stopping the run, getting into good, favourable second down situations, second and long and then do what we do best which is cover and pressure the quarterback,” explains the Huskies defensive coordinator.

While it may be early, there are some players that have stood out on the defensive unit. One of those standouts is Rob Jubenville.

“Rob Jubenville, a defensive end, has stood out as always,” says Murphy. “He is a guy who was in the CFL draft this year and is likely to be playing pro.”

Jubenville was not the only Huskies player to make an impression on the defensive coordinator.

“Kayin Marchard-Wright was a first all-Canadian last year,” comments Murphy. “R.J. Cornish looked great as well and Kyle Norris.”

Defensive back Neil King says that meetings and practices have gone well.

“Coach Murphy’s been very good ,” explains King, who’s in his second year with the team. “Starting with the basic stuff, it’s spring camp so we got to perfect the basics and then go to the complicated stuff come the season.”

Being able to get back on the field for the first practice was a great feeling for King.

“It’s exciting, spring training is exciting,” says the Huskies defensive back. “The vibe on the field is good, there’s lots of competition and guys fighting for spots.”

The football program endured a rocky roller-coaster ride in the offseason due to the search for the team’s head coach. During the time of instability with no leader of the program, players continued to push ahead and remained focus on the overall goals.

“There’s been difficult times because we were in another direction because there wasn’t a coaching staff,” explains Gagnier. “At the end of the day the boys know that we’ve got a veteran group, a group of people that have won consistently and we know what it takes.”

Gagnier says that it was important to make sure the younger players know and understand what lies ahead in the offseason.

“We came out strong and our coach, Coach Murphy helped us out with training, preparation, early runs and we’re stil very focused to keep the championship tradition at Saint Mary’s.”

Creighton agrees with Gagnier of how the team got through the rough patches.

“Things are great now,” says the Huskies pivot. “Times were a little dark but we got a coach and he’s doing great things.”

“It’s a step back and two steps forward and I’m really happy about that.”
Since Marchese took over as leader of the Huskies program, King says things have progressed smoothly.

“Since Perry’s got the head coaching job, everything has actually been moving along very nicely,” comments the defensive star. “There’s been a lot of positive energy, lots of very good feelings around the team of what’s to come and what he’s going to bring to the table.”

“Just excitment, lots of excitement.”

For Huskies linebacker Norris, having some stability will only help the team become a stronger and closer unit.

“Our team came close together when we didn’t have a head coach and now that we have someone that is in a leadership position, I think it’s really help take our team to the next level.”

While he may be on the defensive side of the team, Norris was familiar with Marchese previous to SMU. They share a history and Norris likes what Marchese has brought to the team.

“Me and Coach Marchese actually go way back with Team Ontario and had my first experience playing for him,” comments the Huskies linebacker. “From what I have heard from our offensive players they’re so excited to play under him.”

“His offensive scheme is completely different from what I’ve actually gone up against, like this first practice is very different and I haven’t seen an offensive line like this like the blocking schemes.”

Norris is not the only player to have experienced playing under Marchese previous to Saint Mary’s. Creighton has also previously played with the Huskies coach and is comfortable with Marchese’s approach.

“I played with him on Team Ontario and I was excited when I heard he got named the head coach and he does a different playbook,” explains the Huskies quarterback. “As for meetings, they’re very to the point and we get things done.”

“We’re in and out and we learned a lot of new things in our one or two meetings we’ve had already.”

Gagnier likes what he’s seen so far from the Huskies head coach.
“I think that it’s really interesting what he brings to the table with offense,” adds the offensive lineman. “He came with Coach Ireland, the offensive line coach and I really like him.”

“Personally, I’m really excited to get things started.”

As for the expectations the Huskies coaching staff has going into next season working hard on the field while bringing a competitive edge will be the key to their success.

“To win every game we play in, that’s our goal,” explains Marchese. “To make sure we are competing every time we step out on the field; every drill, every game, every snap we compete and we give everything we have.”

Murphy says that there are goals the team would like to reach in 2012, one step at a time.

“The expectations are the same as every year,” says the defensive coordinator. “To win all our regular season games, to win the AUS, then go on to the final four and be competitive and take it one game at a time.”

Creighton is looking forward to achieving team goals next season.

“Competing for a Loney Bowl, a Uteck Bowl and hopefully competing for a Vanier but the league is very tight,” adds the Huskies quarterback. “We’re going to have some competition and hope for the best.”

For King’s part, he’s just itching to get back on the field and play football once again.

“There’s been lots of controversy,” explains the Huskies defensive back. “There’s been some uncertainty but I’m excited to prove everybody wrong and watch us.”

One question on everyone’s mind is how the recruiting class for next season looks considering the fact the team was behind the eight ball due the process of selecting a coach for the team. Murphy gives an assessment of how this year’s class looks in comparision to previous years.

“At this point, it looks like the recruiting class is going to be a little thinner than most years and we’re fortunate on the defensive side that we’re returning a lot of guys and don’t have a lot of needs,” explains the Huskies defensive coordinator. “The recruits we do have committed so far are guys we really wanted and guys we’re really looking forward to welcoming into the Husky family.”

However, the job is still ongoing for recruitment.

“We’re working hard,” comments Marchese. “We’ve had some commits, we’ve got lots of visits happening over the next month, over the next few weeks and we’re optimistic.”

“We won’t stop working.”

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