SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State football team held its first afternoon practice adding shoulder pads and practicing in shells for the first time on Friday at Bobcat Stadium.
 
Texas State held its first two practices in shorts and helmets on Tuesday and Thursday morning before Friday afternoon's workout. Friday's workout was the third of 14 practices this spring before the Bobcats' annual Maroon-Gold Spring Game on April 14 in Bobcat Stadium. The Maroon-Gold Spring Game will feature the offense competing against the defense beginning at 3 p.m. A "T" Association flag football tournament will precede the spring game.
 
Texas State's offensive players have pleased head coach Everett Withers with their retention of the offense from last fall through the preseason workouts to the spring. He also has been pleased with his older defensive players' ability to relate the system being installed by new defensive coordinator Chris Woods to last year's defensive system.
 
"There are some things that are a little different on defense," Withers said. "But the older guys can say 'same as' (when the new system has been introduced).  When we call a certain play in the new defense, they will see we are calling it this, but it is the same as the play we called that last year."
 
Withers was also pleased with the effort his players exhibited practicing in shells for the first time this spring and is anxious to see them compete in full pads for the first time on Saturday.
 
"We saw some good stuff out there," Withers said. "It is hard to judge (their competitive spirit) in shorts. Tomorrow won't be much different from today because we aren't tackling live. We want to see some competitive spirit."
 
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2018 season that features six home games at Bobcat Stadium. Texas State will host Texas Southern, Louisiana, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State, Appalachian State and Arkansas State. Bobcat fans can purchase 2018 season tickets for all six home games for as low as $80 through the Athletic Ticket Office in person at Bobcat Stadium, by calling 512-245-2272 or by clicking the tickets tab on www.txstatebobcats.com and logging into the Online Ticket Center.