Texas Tech University Athletics
Swindall and Tech Offense Respond
August 11, 2011 | Football
="" width="640" height="325" border="0" alt=" Tramain Swindall and the Texas Tech rediscovered their intensity on Thursday.
August 11, 2011
FB: Training Camp Day 6: Post-Practice Interviews
by Britton Drown
Tramain Swindall felt something different on Thursday morning.
The Texas Tech offensive unit was loose. The tempo was faster, and with it came a swagger that just one day ago, was difficult to find.
After head coach Tommy Tuberville questioned the intensity and passion of his offense on Wednesday, the squad quickly turned around--and in a big way.
It's something that the Red Raiders have shown glimpses of throughout practice, and just maybe something pivotal clicked on Thursday morning.
"It was lot better for us," Swindall said shortly after practice. "We wanted to come out today with a little bit more tempo, more excitement and more celebration when we made the big plays."
 | "There was a lot of enthusiasm. The offense had a lot of fun today, and they got a lot better." Tommy Tuberville |
And yes, those big plays came for the offense on Thursday.
They came early and often as the offensive and defensive units went live against one another for the entire second half of practice. Junior quarterback Seth Doege threw five touchdown passes during that period, and after each one, the Red Raiders displayed more and more emotion on the field and the sidelines.
"He [Doege] threw the ball well, and made good decisions," Swindall said.
For head coach Tommy Tuberville, the change of pace was something he was happy to see.
"There was a lot of enthusiasm," Tuberville said. "The offense had a lot of fun today, and they got a lot better. But they have to keep that up. We are still a long ways from having a football team that can compete in major college football."
But it's a step.
And after all, that's what training camp is for. Swindall, the offense and the entire Red Raider squad are doing all they can to make sure those steps are in the right direction before the Sept. 3 season-opener against Texas State arrives in just over three weeks.
"We wanted to get better from yesterday," Swindall said. "And we want to keep that going everyday and stay consistent."
It's a philosophy Tuberville has been attempting to instill in his squad during the long, hot and repetitive days of training camp.
"You have to go out and have fun doing this," Tuberville said. "Sometimes it's not fun, but you have to make yourself have fun."
If the Red Raiders continue to approach practice like they did on Thursday, there's little doubt they will have fun throughout the remainder of training camp.
