From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
JOPLIN, Mo. —
The coolest day in August greeted Missouri Southern’s football team as the Lions held their first preseason workout Thursday night at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
The temperature was in the mid-80s when drills began shortly before 8 o’clock, and it dipped into the 70s by the time conditioning started about two hours later.
As required by NCAA regulations, the Lions started a five-day acclimatization period. The Lions can practice once a day during this period — in helmets only the first two days, helmets and shoulder pads for the third and fourth practices and in full pads for the fifth period.
The Lions can start two-a-day workouts after the first five days, but they can’t have consecutive days of multiple on-field practice sessions.
Coach Bart Tatum’s Lions return 18 starters among 57 lettermen. Approximately 120 players reported on Wednesday.
The Lions have exactly three weeks to prepare for their season opener Aug. 26 at home against Minnesota State-Moorhead.
