STATESBORO - With the NCAA-mandated, five-day acclimation period over, the Georgia Southern football squad held its first practice in full pads Tuesday morning on the turf at Allen E, Paulson Stadium. The two-hour practice wrapped up the team's camp and with classes beginning on Wednesday, the Eagles will now begin practicing in late afternoon.

Even in full pads, the team only went live for a few periods to stay within the NCAA's allowable full contact numbers outside of scrimmages. In a team run period, Jalen White had several nice runs on the outside and the offense scored four times out of five tries in a late-practice, goal-line period. The defense continues to be active in the passing periods, but head coach Clay Helton was pleased with the way the offense protected the ball better today. 

"I was pleased with today's practice and the effort we put in," Helton said. "We had about 50 live snaps today, which was really important for us to work on tackling fundamentals at full speed. Defensively, especially in the tight quarters situations, we did a good job of getting the ballcarrier down. In the open field, I thought Jalen White did a nice job when he was in. We went back and forth, which was good. I challenged the offense today to protect the football. We have been average, at best, with that the first five practices. They did a much better job with that today. I think we took a step forward today. Thank goodness that we still have 19 practices left; I think we need every one of them. Today, from a mental and physicval standpoint, was a good day."

The Eagles will have Wednesday off before returning to the field on Thursday.