The Cougars worked out in shoulder pads for the first time this spring, practicing for just over two hours on Rogers Field Tuesday afternoon.

With the addition of shoulder pads, there was a lot more energy throughout the field today. Loud smacks could be heard from all over the field. The biggest smacks came during a couple drills that occurred at the same time on two different fields. The first couple and the loudest of the day came from linebacker Darryl Monroe during a running game drill that featured the offensive line and running back against the defensive line and linebackers. Just like what he did last spring and fall, the young backer quickly stepped up to fill a running lane and either blow up the pulling lineman or the running back.

On the offensive field, there was 7-vs.-7 taking place and the biggest "pops" came from a familiar name on the defensive side in safety Deone Bucannon. The junior to be squared up a couple receivers coming over the middle on a few occasions, bringing some yells from his defensive teammates. The defense turned in one of its better days as a whole, popping a lot and even getting "pick-6" from linebacker Cory Laufasa who has moved to the defensive side of the ball after spending the past two seasons at fullback.

The offense saw wideouts Bobby Ratliff and Andrei Lintz each turn in another good practice. Both are catching everything in sight. Not to be overlooked but Marquess Wilson and Kristoff Williams each had catches that went for scores.

The Cougars will keep the pads on for Thursday's practice at 3:10 p.m.

GO COUGS!

Check out the post-practice interviews with Coach Leach and Andrei Lintz by clicking HERE to visit INSIDE COUGAR FOOTBALL