MONTGOMERY— The Alabama State football team has gone through 14 spring practices in preparation for the 2011 season. Saturday, spring drills will conclude with the annual Black and Gold game at 2 p.m. in Hornet Stadium.
Most of the defensive players and system of defensive coordinator Cedric Thornton return from last year’s unit that ranked second in the conference in fewest points allowed and third in total defense.
“Defensively, we just want our guys to continue to mature,” Barlow said. “We had success last year, but we don’t want to become complacent. We’ve seen some maturity in that. There are still some guys we need to step up on that side of the ball.”
The offense is learning a new scheme being installed by first-year offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss and has done well in leaning the terminology and picking up the new system.
“Offensively, I’m proud of the progress the guys have made from the first practice until now,” Barlow said. “They’ve come on a lot and are doing some good things. I’m really proud of the progress and now it’s just a matter of figuring out how to maintain it and carrying it through the summer until we get into the fall.”
