Aug. 14, 2003

WACO, Texas - Baylor's football team made use of its turf practice field here Thursday after rainy weather in the Waco area during the previous 24 hours. Following a sub-par Wednesday afternoon session, head coach Guy Morriss challenged the Bears to respond Thursday morning. Morris said the response was subdued, but that the focus did return.

"The offense was better, but the defense was a little leg-weary this morning," Morriss said. "Overall, it was a good practice again. We're taking care of the football a little bit better: no fumbles and we only jumped offsides once."

Thursday was the first session in which the Bears practiced entirely on the turf field, which is part of Baylor's three-field practice facility. The faster surface gave Baylor's speed positions an opportunity to shine, but Morriss was unhappy with the consistency of caught passes.

"We dropped too many balls," Morriss said. "I hope we're not going to play ping-pong here, back-and-forth from all the bad things that can happen to us. But we'll just stay on them about it, make them conscious about hanging on to the football and hopefully it will pay off for us."

Baylor hits the practice field twice Friday with morning and afternoon sessions, followed by single sessions Saturday and Sunday. All practices are open to the public.

The 2003 season begins Aug. 30 as the Bears host UAB at Floyd Casey Stadium.