The first day of spring and the first spring football practice was a perfect one for South Dakota head coach Bob Nielson and his Coyotes, who got a bright sunny day Wednesday to break in their new outdoor practice field. It was the first of 15 scheduled practices for the team, all to take place on the turf that sits directly north of the DakotaDome.
 
"It's a great practice facility," said Nielson, who is beginning his fourth season in Vermillion. "It gives us the kind of space that we need to operate as a football team. If we had to practice outside on our old surface, we really couldn't because it would be a muddy mess. This is a great surface, and it's another real plus for our program."
 
The players echoed those sentiments.
 
"I love it," said senior wide out Dakarai Allen. "I'm not going to say I like a break from being inside the Dome, but it's a new environment. Not every game we play is going to be indoors, and this will help us adjust."
 
Junior cornerback Mark Collins chimed in.
 
"We had a lot of energy today just by being out on the new field. It felt a little different of course, but with the same format and everything. We're trying to go fast, to move fast, I like it."
 
Nielson said these first practices are focused on two things – learning new terminology, especially behind new defensive coordinator Travis Johansen, and growing confident in the new schemes so his players can go out and execute with precision.
 
Johansen isn't the only new addition to the program. Outside linebackers coach Abdul Hodge along with transfers Sam Gerst, Brady Booker and Devon Moore also made their Coyote debuts.
 
"They are going to help us," said Nielson. "Sam and Brady on the defensive side bring experience, depth and athleticism to the linebacker group, and then Devon is fitting in really well, learning our system rapidly and is definitely a talented young man.
 
An advantage to the spring format is that practice typically takes place every other day. It allows the players and staff to break down each practice in great detail, see the things that were good and the things that need to be improved, and bring that back as an emphasis the next day.
 
"Even though you are preparing for a game, that game is in September," said Nielson. "The urgency is on improvement, not about preparations for a specific opponent. That's what we want to get accomplished.
 
What they are working on…
Allen led the Coyotes with 48 catches for 703 yards and five touchdowns a season ago. His ability to go deep and make eye-popping snags over defenders has earned him a bit of a reputation, but he wants to be known for more than just a deep man.
 
"I'm working on more under routes and quick routes, getting better in my cuts so that everybody doesn't think of me as just a deep ball, go up and get it kind of guy, said Allen. "I'm taking our receiver drills more seriously than I ever have, and working hard on getting in and out of my breaks."
 
Collins was amongst the national leaders in pass breakups. He had 13 last year despite missing four games due to injury. His focus is somewhat different.
 
"I'm focused on being a leader," said Collins. "I mean, I'm the oldest guy in the corners group and I have a lot of young guys next to me. I have a responsibility to bring them along, and get everyone up to speed so that we will be ready to go in the fall."
 
Nielson summed things up this way.
 
"It's good to have a nice day when you're practicing outside. We got a lot of work done, and I'm happy with the work we did. We aren't in pads yet and some things look differently when you get pads on, but a lot of young players have improved from last fall and that's what you want to see."