LORMAN — The last 10 days in full pads have been quite an experience for Alcorn State’s players, as new coach Jay Hopson and his staff implement offensive and defensive packages for the 2012 season.

Alcorn State’s season opener against Grambling is two weeks away. Saturday, at the school’s athletic center, the Braves held their preseason media day.

For the players, the 10 days in pads were the main topic of discussion. Senior linebacker Zavier Johnson summed up what the process has been like.

“Excruciating fun,” Johnson said. “We have worked so much on the mental stage of football and we’ve basically had to re-learn how to play fast and how to be at the right spot.”

Miami native Ricky Joseph, a backup defensive tackle, said the Braves have picked up on what Hopson’s staff wants.

“They’ve taught us the game of football and they are still teaching us the right way to play it,” Joseph said.

Starting offensive tackle Brandon McDowell said the Braves have made progress in learning Hopson’s approach.

“We’ve made tremendous strides,” McDowell said. “Our line coach (Mark McHale) is the best I’ve ever had and we’re learning so much more, concepts about the game.”

McDowell said the improvements should become evident when the Braves get into Southwestrn Athletic Conference play. Alcorn finished 2-8 last year under former coach Melvin Spears.

“We lost four games last year in the fourth quarter,” McDowell said. “I think with these new techniques and how we want to do things, we’re learning how to finish the game.”

Hopson, who in late May became the first white head football coach in the SWAC’s history, said his Braves are about where they needed to be going into the final preseason scrimmage Saturday night. The Braves went through a 150-play scrimmage at Jack Spinks/Mario Casem Stadium.

“We’re getting better. In our first scrimmage last week, I felt we were pretty physical on defense. What I was hoping to see in tonight’s scrimmage was more crisper play from the offense,” Hopson said. “This is our most important scrimmage because this is where we set up our game operation for the rest of the year. We want to come back after the scrimmage and work on our techniques for the next seven days. We’re not even thinking about Grambling at this point. We’re worried about us.”

Alcorn defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro said the first 16 days of practice were essentially the team’s spring practice.

“We’ve had to teach them so many new concepts, basically our brand of football,” Pecoraro said. “They’ve given good effort and I can say that we have four really solid linebackers.”