Aug. 6, 2002

Notre Dame, Ind. – On a perfect day in South Bend as the temperature barely touched 70 degrees, the Notre Dame football freshmen participated in their first practice of the 2002 season. In all, 22 freshmen (18 scholarship, four walk-ons) participated in drills today that included the 40-yard dash, a shuttle run, the standing broad jump, vertical jump and bench presses among others. Although no results from the testing were made public, head coach Tyrone Willingham was pleased with the morning’s events.

“The freshmen performed like freshmen,” Willingham said at the conclusion of the hour and 15 minute workout. “It was a good practice session and gave us a starting point for the rest of the season.”

Everyone participated in the opening testing today except running back Jeff Jenkins and nose guard/defensive tackle Derek Landri, who are still recovering from off-season injuries.

“Derek is doing well,” Willingham said. “He is progressing just fine. There is no timetable for his return.”

The first practice concluded a whirlwind first 24 hours as the freshmen reported to campus on Monday and were fitted for equipment upon their arrival. After a compliance meeting Monday afternoon, the freshmen enjoyed their first meal at the South Dining Hall before having physicals and another team meeting Monday night.

With a wake-up call set for 6:30 a.m., the freshmen enjoyed breakfast at the South Dining Hall before meeting with selected members of the administrative staff at 8:00 a.m. Once done with that, the Irish split into offensive and defensive units for meetings before the morning testing session.

After a brief strength and conditioning seminar and a meeting with the media, the freshmen had lunch, before heading to more meetings at 1:30 p.m. The Irish will soon return to the practice field today at 3:45 p.m.

Stay tuned for more practice reports from Notre Dame’s preseason camp on www.und.com.