HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team opened its second practice of fall camp before sunrise in Strawberry Stadium on Friday, but quickly moved over to the adjacent practice fields as the Lions worked out for two hours in helmets.

The result? “An outstanding practice,” said head coach Mike Lucas.

“We had a great tempo right from the beginning, our kids worked hard today” Lucas said. “I saw some young guys really take some strides. Even though it was day two (of camp), they really made some strides.”

Southeastern worked on all phases of its game with quarterbacks Brian Young, Jordan Barnett, Jeremy Meyers and Nathan Stanley getting key reps with the offense. At running back, juniors Zeke Jones, Sam Fairley and Michael Chaney along with sophomore LaTruan Weary and redshirt freshman Jordan Wells give the Lions perhaps their deepest rotation since resuming football in 2003.

Jones finished second on the team in rushing last season while recording a team-high eight touchdowns on the ground. The former Springfield High product reported to camp at 230 pounds – 10 pounds lighter than last year – and looks to bolster his numbers from his first two seasons.

Fairley, from Moss Point, Miss., led Southeastern and finished fifth in the Southland Conference in rushing last season while Weary and Chaney, a former Ponchatoula High product, and Wells expect to see significant action in 2011.

“Michael Chaney has had a great couple of days and had an awesome summer,” Lucas said. “When he was doing his conditioning test on Wednesday, he led every group. He's a guy we're going to get on the field. I really think our depth at running back is going to help us keep fresh legs and help our running game.”

Southeastern will work out in shells for the first time beginning Saturday morning at 6 a.m. before Lucas and selected players will participate in Media Day beginning at 1 p.m.