Just 21 minutes into the first practice of the season, profanity was whizzing out of the mouths of coaches and into the ears of players.

“That’s horsesh*t,” Syracuse assistant athletics director for athletic performance Will Hicks bellowed at the team while stretching. “It’s the first day and you guys are moping out here.”

By the end of the day, though, they didn’t appear to be moping to Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer. He was pleased with the overall intensity on the first day of practice.

“To be honest with you, the thing I look for out of the first practice is just the kids having enthusiasm,” Shafer said, “and trying their best to play fast, play hard and enjoy the game.”

Shafer said freshman quarterback Mitch Kimble made some mistakes in the pocket but responded with poise, and a few players unbuckled their helmets when they weren’t supposed to — which is why the team got off the field 27 minutes later than anticipated — but he loved the efficiency his team showed.

That efficiency and intensity radiated as the team moved briskly from drill to drill.

A boisterous horn blared at the end of each rotation during practice, as the players swiftly moved from one station to the next. One of the more intriguing drills was one where players circled around a blue pad with one hand touching the ground while getting pummeled with orange pads.

Shafer said Syracuse got in extra plays and he was pleased with the overall fluidity of practice. He said the team got off on the right foot.

“Like I told them in the team meeting today, the whole goal is to do the firsts really well,” Shafer said. “What I mean by that, the first time we do anything together this fall, let’s do it the right way.”

Published on August 5, 2013 at 10:00 pm

Contact Trevor: tbhass@syr.edu | @TrevorHass