Coach Todd Ivicic, defensive line coach

How did the first day of practice with full pads go?

The first full day of practice with pads went well.  We have a very experienced defensive line led by seniors Tywain Myles and Chris Bacak, they are very good football players.  Martin Thompson and Torrin Bush are our noseguards and they are two more good football players.  Sophomore Jamaal Steamer is starting right now with our first group at the hammer position, and we have some young guys under him.  Stephenville native Dustin Hughes and Jacob Rowe, who is a redshirt freshman, have looked good rushing the passer.  The surprise in camp is transfer Alton Boydreaux.  He has come in and given us some depth as a defensive lineman.  We have some young guys that need to get in some shape and mature a little bit, but Bryant Waters and Tony Watkins will be good football players for us in the future.

Have you been pleased with what you have seen on the defensive line this season?

Yes. We have definitely improved.  Like I said, we have a bunch of senior leadership there with guys that have been in the program a long time.  They know Coach Dulin's system, they are executing well and they are tough.  We ought to be very solid up front this year.

Last year, the defense was tops in the LSC in run defense thanks to the help of the defensive line.  Do you see that happening again this year?

I really do.  We are going to be good up front.  We have moved Vernon Smith to mike linebacker from sam, and he has really solidified that position with the loss of the South Division Linebacker of the Year and all-conference player Erick Smith.  I think Vernon will be in that mode this year in the middle.  I see us stopping the run again this year.

What do you expect from the 2007 season?

We are going to be the best defense in the conference.  I believe that and we coach that way.  We want to be No. 1 in the defensive categories and win the league.