Fresno State Athletics
Ward looks to add his touch to Bulldog defense
3/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 2, 2016
Photo Gallery courtesy of Kiel Maddox
By Jason Clay
jaclay@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State went through its second practice of spring football Wednesday morning in Bulldog Stadium and as will be the case early on in the spring period, the Bulldogs continue to install their packages working under new coordinators in all three phases of the game.
"We got some more installation in and our offense did a much better job of taking care of the football today," head coach Tim DeRuyter said after Wednesday's practice. "We threw one interception, the flip side of that is on defense we did not get enough take-aways today so there is always that back and forth.
"I thought both sides were much more efficient. Offense is getting a little bit more command even with their new installs and the defense flew around today."
Defensively, DeRuyter has inserted Lorenzo Ward to coordinate that side of the ball. Ward came to the Valley with an impressive resume, having spent the past seven seasons as the defensive coordinator at South Carolina.
He is not coming in to do an overhaul of the defense, the Bulldogs will still run their 3-4 scheme, but Ward looks to make an impact adding in his wrinkles and his vast experience to the rest of the defensive coaching staff that has been with DeRuyter since he took over the Fresno State program in 2012.
Early on in practices, we can see what Ward preaches and emphasizes. He was asked after Wednesday's practice how he thought his unit improved from day one, and his answers shine a light on what he wants.
"We had too many loafs, guys not running to the football. I thought they were better today, we emphasized that," he said.
And...
"By position we played way too high as an entire defense and looking at what I saw from afar I thought they played in better position."
Ward and the rest of the defensive staff are stressing the techniques, body position and chasing the football. Creating turnovers is something you hear the coaches preaching to the players in every period of practice.
There is that focus from the staff, but also some minor changes made in the scheme that can go a long ways.
"We've simplified things on defense to allow the guys to play fast," Ward said.
Fundamentals, knowing your responsibility, playing fast and making plays, it all goes in to the evaluation process during these 15 practices of spring ball.
"There are no starters, everybody is fighting for their positions," Ward said. "Hopefully we have an idea of who can play and that's the evaluation process for us as coaches, we want to find as many guys as we can that we feel can contribute."
"Be Bold" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes 1600 AM.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
