Western starts fall drills

By the Standard Staff - 08/18/2004

DILLON — University of Montana-Western football coach Tommy Lee and staff welcomed 130 players to the opening of Fall camp. The Bulldogs open the 2004 season on Sept. 3 when they travel to Ellensburg, Wash., to face Central Washington.

Last season, the Bulldogs were 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the Frontier Conference. Lee will build his 2004 squad around nine returning starters on offense and nine on defense.

"The guys came back in excellent shape," Lee said. "They came back with a great attitude and they know the challenges that lie ahead. Our league is going to be extremely tough this year. Everyone is better.

"This fall we are going to spend more time on special teams, an area that was good and bad at times last year. We have had light contact thus far, concentrating more on learning techniques. We will turn it up with the next practice."

The Bulldogs are conducting two practices a day and will wrap the first week with a scrimmage at

3 p.m. Saturday on the practice field behind the Western P.E. Complex.