#CuseCamp16: Full Pads for Day 5

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – #CuseCamp16 continued Wednesday morning with the Orange football team's first practice in full pads. Due to rain, the two-hour workout was moved from the Hookway Fields Complex to the Ensley Athletic Center.

The majority of the practice was considered a "thud" session. Only the last few minutes of the second team period were live with ball carriers being brought to the ground. Still, wearing full gear was something redshirt freshman defensive end Jake Pickard was excited about.

"It was good to start really playing football. We're out of gym class as we like to say," Pickard said.

With increased contact, Orange coaches put their position groups through more physical drills. Defensive backs practiced stripping the ball, while receivers and running backs went head-to-head blocking in space.

The defense looked sharp throughout the morning. Redshirt junior cornerback Corey Winfield was in mid-season form, intercepting passes on back-to-back plays during seven-on-seven work. Sophomore corner Cordell Hudson tallied a sack during the first team period, and defensive coordinator Brian Ward's unit made things challenging for the offense by recording two safeties early in the session.

The offense began to find its rhythm in the second team period. Freshman receiver Sean Riley was especially productive. On one series, he caught a short pass and broke two tackles to convert a first down. A few plays later, he caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Austin Wilson. Freshman running back Moe Neal also scored a long touchdown near the end of practice. Neal broke free up the middle and took the ball into the end zone from about 50 yards out.

Fans can get an up-close look at first-year head coach Dino Babers and the Orange at Saturday's Preferred Mutual 'Cuse Fan Fest at the Lampe Athletics Complex. The event features the Syracuse men's soccer team's exhibition game versus New Hampshire at 4 p.m. followed by the football team's first fall scrimmage at approximately 6:15 p.m.

In addition to the soccer-football doubleheader, there will be activities for fans of all ages and opportunities to register to win prizes. Kids are invited to form a tunnel to welcome the football team into the stadium prior to its scrimmage. Members of the men's soccer and football teams will be available for selfies following their events.

At Wohl Field, Syracuse student-athletes will conduct interactive activities and pose for pictures. Former Orange football standouts will also have their own selfie station. Fans will be treated to a special tasting of the new Perry's Ice Cream 'Cuse 44 flavor, inflatable bouncers for kids and face painting. Fans are also invited to try on this year's Syracuse football uniform inside the Ensley Athletic Center.

Season and individual game tickets for Orange football are on sale now online, by phone (888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at $99 ($16.50 per game) with lower-level seats in the end zones available for as little as $125. Single-game tickets start at $20 for non-conference games against Colgate and USF, $25 for the Louisville and NC State games, and $30 for the Virginia Tech and Florida State contests.

For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.

Players Mentioned

Rex Culpepper

Cordell Hudson

Moe Neal

Jake Pickard

Sean Riley

Austin Wilson

Corey Winfield

Syracuse University Athletics