MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois returned from a day off for practices 12 and 13 on Monday (Aug. 13) at Hanson Field. Those marked the third of five two-a-day practices for the Fighting Leatherneck football program.

The Leathernecks worked out in full pads during the morning practice and finished the evening session in shells.

Head coach Mark Hendrickson thought his team responded well following their first day off from practice during fall camp, and noted this was an important week of work.

"The second week of two-a-days is really a critical week in preparing for your season... When you get to next Monday we begin classes on campus, your time restraint is huge and the time we are allowed to have the players is cut way down," said Hendrickson. "This week we have to accomplish a lot - a few more things to install on both sides of the ball and the kicking game, and emphasize practicing well when you are tired and sore. You're not always going to feel great in the fourth quarter but obviously you have to be perfect in that fourth quarter."

Watching video from Saturday's scrimmage gave the coaches another day of evaluation as the staff makes final decisions on which true-freshmen will redshirt and will play in 2012.

"We have been evaluating the players after each and every practice. Saturday we had a scrimmage that went 72 snaps. Based on that scrimmage we did learn a lot. We made a few decisions, those decisions are not in stone. There are certainly a few freshmen we know are going to play in game one, there are other that may or may not. We will keep evaluating those each and every drill, and every rep they take in team as well."

Western takes to the field again on Tuesday morning for practice 14.

TICKETS ON SALE: Both season and single-game tickets are currently on sale for the 2012 Football season. Fans can call (309) 298-1190 or go online at www.GoLeathernecks.com to purchase tickets.

FALL CAMP DAY/TIME
Tuesday, August 14: 8:30-11 am
Wednesday, August 15: 8:30-11 am and 5:45-7:35 pm
Thursday, August 16: 8:30-11 am
Friday, August 17: 8:30-11 am and 5:45-7:35 pm
Saturday, August 18: 9-11 am (end of fall camp)
Monday, August 20: First day of classes

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