ELON, N.C. -- After a week off, the Elon football team resumed its spring practice schedule on Thursday morning on the frosty Hunt and Tucker practice fields.  It was the first of three consecutive days of practice for the Phoenix which will return to work at 3:50 p.m. on Friday before holding its first scrimmage of the spring at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in Rhodes Stadium.

Here were coach Jason Swepson's thoughts after the morning session in which the maroon and gold conducted its standard practice which included position group work, team periods and special teams drills.

On the way the team came out after a week off:

"We had a great practice today.  The kids responded.  We needed that week off.  We had some guys sick and banged up.  I think we made a good decision as a coaching staff.  Our legs are fresh and we came out ready to go.  We still did some football stuff these past few days.  We had some good meetings and some good lifts.  Last year, we had four or five practices and then spring break before coming back to finish.  When you take some time off in the middle, they come back with their mind and bodies right and finish strong in the second half."

On reaching the halfway mark of the spring and what he will be looking for going forward:

"I don't want to see as many mistakes.  All of our installation should be done and now its about getting quality reps."

On Saturday's scrimmage:

"I'm looking for the shoulder pads being low and guys being physical.  I want to see if we can get through a 50-play scrimmage without turning the ball over.  Tomorrow will be a normal practice; we won't ease off because we have a scrimmage on Saturday."