HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team held its second practice of fall camp on Thursday, working out in shorts and helmets for over two hours in overcast conditions on the Southeastern Practice Fields.

Southeastern, which will open the season on Sept. 1 against SEC newcomer Missouri, continued the teaching mode to its 30 newcomers while increasing the tempo in several drills. After the first two days working out in helmets, the Lions will don shoulder pads for the first time when they return to practice on Friday at 4:50 p.m.

All practices are open to the public.

“Overall, I thought they did a pretty good job,” head coach Ron Roberts said. “The effort was good throughout the practice and that is the big thing we're looking for. We picked up the tempo on some things, but overall I thought it was a good day.”

With much of the teaching mode implemented and his team moving closer to working out in full gear, Roberts and his coaching staff can begin the process of evaluating players – especially in the trenches where the Lions return four starters on the offensive line and two-thirds of the defensive line.

“It's a heck of a lot more fun, I don't think it's any more difficult, Roberts said of his team putting on pads. “What we've done the past two days has been a dress rehearsal. Now we can put the pads on and practice football. We'll be able to get a better gauge on some things, the physicality and how we do things up front and we'll be able to really start the evaluation tomorrow.”

One area where Southeastern is expected to be deep will be at linebacker where Ponchatoula native Kaleb Muse and Tay Alford will be joined by converted defensive end Devan Walker – a Baton Rouge native and former Catholic High product. Despite the absence of Ricky Irvin, who is expected to miss the entire 2012 season to a hip injury, the Lions will still have quality depth with returning letterwinners Drew Misita, John Roberts, Aaron Harris and Tyler Tourelle along with Texas Tech transfer Cqulin Hubert.

“They're a lot more comfortable right now than where we were in spring practice,” Roberts said of the current starting trio of Muse, Alford and Walker. “Knowing what to do and where they are supposed to be. That's the most important part … knowing what to do, where you're supposed to fit and arrive there with bad intentions (for the offense).

“There's four or five guys who are catching our eye and we'll who else is going to get in the mix.”

2012 Southeastern Louisiana University Football Camp Schedule
(all times are subject to change)

August 3 – 4:50 p.m. (Shells)
August 4 – 4:50 p.m. (Shells)
August 5 – 4:50 p.m. (Full pads)
August 6 – 8:30 a.m. (Full pads)
August 7 – 8:30 a.m. (Full pads)
August 8 – 8:30 a.m. (Full pads); 6:50 p.m. (Shells)
August 9 – 4:50 p.m. (Full pads)
August 10 – 4:50 p.m. (Full pads)
August 11 – 10 a.m. (Special Teams); 6:50 p.m. (Scrimmage)
August 12 – OFF
August 13 – 3:30 p.m. (Full pads)
August 14 – 3:30 p.m. (Full pads)
August 15 – OFF (Classes begin)
August 16 – 3:15 p.m.
August 17 – 3:15 p.m.; 6-8 p.m. (Fan Day – Downtown Hammond)
August 18 – Noon-2 p.m. (Media Day/Picture Day); 6:50 p.m. (Scrimmage)
August 19 – 6:50 p.m.
August 20 – OFF
August 21 – 3:15 p.m.
August 22 – 3:15 p.m.
August 23 – 6:50 p.m. (Scrimmage)
August 24 – 3:30 p.m. (Situational O/D/ST)
August 25 – 10:30 a.m.
August 26 – 6:50 p.m.