Defending Champion Gorillas Open Spring Drills Tuesday

  PSU
  Monday, April 2, 2012 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University football team will open its 2012 spring drills Tuesday (Apr. 2). The defending NCAA Division II national champion Gorillas will have a total of 15 practice days, culminating with their annual Spring Game on Apr. 28.

Pitt State will practice four times the week of Apr. 2-7. The Gorillas will practice eight more times during the weeks of Apr. 9 and Apr. 16. Pitt State will conclude spring drills with the Spring Game on Apr. 28 at 10 a.m. at “The Pitt,” Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium.

Head coach Tim Beck, the 2011 Division II National Coach of the Year, and his coaching staff will welcome approximately 100 players into spring camp. The Gorillas return 13 players (7 offense, 6 defense) who started seven or more games in 2011.

"There's no question the players are eager to get on the practice field," said Beck, who guided the Gorillas to a 13-1 record and the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship with a 35-21 victory over Wayne (Mich.) State in the title game at Florence, Ala.  “Winning the national championship was a tremendous accomplishment, but now we have moved on to the 2012 season.  We need to create our own identity for this team; and, after losing 22 seniors from last year’s squad, we have new players we are looking for to step up and be great leaders.”