Helmets, shorts and Shoulder pads

4:00-6:00 p.m. 

Days to Kickoff: 8

In Brief: The Owls returned to the practice field on Tuesday after a film day on Monday as the team began classes. Thanks to a break in the rain pattern, they were also able to return to the grass practice field for the first time in over a week. With the countdown to the season-opener at Western Kentucky moving to single digits, the Owls saw their first work against the scout teams who ran WKU's offensive and defensive schemes.  If any of the players who were assigned to the scout team had any questions about their future prospects, those were quickly answered at the end of practice when senior Zach Wright, who spent two years portraying opposing receivers, joined with 2015 returning captain Alex Lyons as being selected by their teammates as captains for the 2016 season.   Two additional captains will be named at the conclusion of the season.  

 Quotes of the Day:

Wide Receiver Zach Wright: "I usually have a pretty good answer for most things, but this (being named captain) really took me back. I think the world of those guys., they're my best friends, my brothers, I've grown up with a lot of them and for them to vote me as a captain, it's hard to put words out there that explain that feeling. It's probably the greatest honor I've had. I'd like to think I've had some pretty cool stuff happen to me, but this tops it all. Honestly, I look up to those guys, they push me every day. Every one of them works so hard. They may not know it, but they are leading me every single day because I have to try to push harder than they do. I really excited and extremely honored. It's definitely been a journey (from being a walk-on in a metal locker at the back of the old locker room). There's been some ups and downs. I started out as a freshman walk-on on scout for a second year. I can tell them I was on the scout team for two years, Tyler Stehling was a scout for two years, it's all about your mindset. Yes, you have to put on a powder blue jersey, but when I did, I had to gup up against Phillip Gaines and Bryce Callahan--two NFL cornerbacks every single day when I was a young guy and that is what got me better.  The pushed me to get to the point where I have gotten now. It helps me when I tell these young guys it's all about your mindset and if I can do it, Tyler can do it, Darik Dillard can do it, then you can do it.  Just embrace the chance to come out each day and go against the best competition."

 Up Next:  Back on the field from 4-5:30 on Wednesday and following practice, the coaching staff will make the quick change and head downtown to St. Arnold Brewery for the annual Football Fall Reception from 7-9 p.m.