Football Southern Conference

Wofford Opens Spring Practice Feb. 24

The Wofford College football program and coach Mike Ayers have announced
that spring practice will begin on Feb. 24.

The Terriers will return seven starters on offense and two on defense
from the 2002 squad that posted a 9-3 overall record and 6-2 SoCon mark.
The Terriers finished second in the SoCon after being a preseason
seventh-place pick by the league coaches and media. Wofford closed the
year No. 11 in the final ESPN/USA Today poll and No. 14 by The Sports
Network.

"We feel that we have a lot of work to do this spring," Ayers said.
"We've got a great group of guys coming back from last season's team and
there are a lot of question marks.

"We're kind of flipping the page. Last year, the question marks
occurred with the offense, rebuilding the offensive line, and no
experience at our quarterback position. We now come back with an
experienced offense, and it's on the flip side with the defense and its
inexperience. We've got to find some young guys who are going to step
up and be starters and then backups as well.

"It's always great to get on the field, coach, practice, and watch the
progress. We're excited about it. We'd like for it to be here right
now and we'd like for recruiting to be over. Hopefully, we'll settle up
with recruiting soon and be ready to go in February and have a great
spring."

Ayers was named the National I-AA Coach of the Year by the College
Sporting News. He was the runner-up for the Eddie Robinson Award, given
by The Sports Network to the top I-AA coach in the country. Ayers also
received region coach of the year honors from the American Football
Coaches Association (AFCA) while being named the SoCon Coach of the Year
for the second time in three seasons.

Wofford opens the 2003 campaign on Aug. 30 at Air Force.