PASSING GAME GETS FOCUS IN TUESDAY FURMAN PRACTICE
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- After holding its first practice of the preseason indoors due to inclement weather, the Furman Paladins hit the practice fields Tuesday afternoon for a two-hour session in shorts and helmets.
“It was great to get outside and get a good look at our team on grass,” said Furman head coach Bobby Lamb. “I thought it was a good first day with a lot of enthusiasm ? kinda what you expect at when you’re getting underway.”
The Paladins’ concentrated primarily on the passing game and on kickoff and punt coverage.
“Ingle Martin looked like he is back in his groove, and Renaldo Gray looked pretty good,” added Lamb, who also complemented the work of his receiving corps.
“I also thought Scott Beckler displayed a particularly strong leg, which showed on the depth of his kickoffs, and Ingle boomed some punts. They should be real assets for us in the kicking game this year.”
Beckler earned All-Southern Conference honors as a freshman a year ago after connecting on 11-of-18 field goals, including 5-of-7 from 40 yards and beyond. Martin, meanwhile, is in line to take over the team’s punting duties. Last year he averaged 30.8 yards on 10 attempts ? nearly all of which were pooch kicks out of shotgun formation. As a freshman at Florida in 2002 he averaged 35.2 yards on 46 attempts.
Furman practices at 3:15 Wednesday.
Georgia Southern Football Practice Report, Day 4
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Georgia Southern began its first session of two-a-day practices as the Eagles turned in a full pads practice Tuesday morning at the Eagle Practice Complex before returning to the complex in the afternoon for a two-and-a-half hour session.
The day’s practices saw the Eagles continue preparations for their first intra-squad practice, to be held Saturday, August 20 at Allen E. Paulson Stadium, as both practices featured extended periods of offense versus defense drills. The Eagle kicking game was also featured in both practices as the coaching staff looked for continued improvement in that facet of the Georgia Southern program.
“Our seniors showed good leadership today,” said head coach Mike Sewak, “but it seems like we have too many players not playing fast enough, like they’re too concerned about having another practice. I’m hopeful the players will come out this afternoon and really put in a good effort.”
Defensive coordinator Joe Tresey “Our defense did some good things today, they worked really hard. The defensive line is doing well. I’m pleased with our first unit, guys like Brian Kranz and Charrod Taylor. Our backups are coming along but we need more improvement out of them to push the starters. Having experience in our secondary and linebacking crew really helps us in this stage. We’re solid as a whole; there aren’t any real standouts right now.”
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Wednesday (Aug. 10) ? 9 a.m.
Thursday (Aug. 11) ? 9 a.m./3:30 p.m.
Friday (Aug. 12) ? 9:45 a.m.
Saturday (Aug. 13) ? 9 a.m./3:30 p.m.
Monday (Aug. 15) ? 3 p.m. (first day of classes)
Saturday (Aug. 20) ? 9:30 a.m. (scrimmage)
Friday (Aug. 26) ? 3:30 p.m. (scrimmage/Eagle Ladies Locker Room)
Saturday (Sept. 3) ? Season opener at Northeastern, 2 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
2005 Georgia Southern Football tickets are currently available online at www.georgiasoutherneagles.com or at the GSU Athletic Ticket Office in the Cowart Building (adjacent to Paulson Stadium) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To reserve your seats, please call 681-0123 or 1-800-GSU-WINS.
Bulldogs Avoid Rain Storms on Day Two of Football Camp
Charleston, SC -- The Citadel's second fall practice under first-year head coach Kevin Higgins was an improvement over day one. The improvement was not necessarily associated with the performance of the players, but the fact that inclement weather cleared the Charleston-area by noon allowing the Bulldogs to remain outside on the practice field.
"Yesterday was tough, but we can't control the weather," Higgins stated. "I'm just glad we got to spend the entire session outside today."
Higgins and the Bulldogs are trying to learn has much about one another as possible in the first few days of fall drills. Higgins is the third coach for the Dogs in as many seasons, and there is quite a learning curve associated with having a new coach.
The Citadel will continue to prepare for Charleston Southern, the Bulldogs' opponent on September 4, as they return to the practice field tomorrow afternoon for day three of the 2005 preseason camp.
Injury report: Senior defensive back Brandon Hawkins missed the first two days of fall camp with a stomach virus. He is tentatively slated to return to the practice field on Thursday.