Appalachian State
Defense Continues to Stand Out
BOONE, N.C. ? As has been the case for much of fall camp, Appalachian State University’s defense continued to impress during a 16-series scrimmage on Tuesday afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
The defensive units held their offensive counterparts without a first down for the first four series of the session, before Walter Payton Award candidate Richie Williams hooked up with freshman wide receiver Tavaris Washington for a 20-yard connection on the fifth drive of the afternoon.
It took the offense four more series to get on the scoreboard, as Williams led the first-team offense on its first sustained drive of the afternoon, capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior Jermane Little.
Williams and Little also connected for an eight-yard scoring strike during the first-team’s final possession of the afternoon, a drive that featured Little converting a third-and-11 situation with a 12-yard reception and big catches by preseason all-Southern Conference tight end Daniel Bettis and wide receivers Hans Batichon and Zach Johnson.
The second-team offense only found the end zone once, with running back Clint Manuel putting an exclamation mark on a solid day with a 24-yard touchdown run. In all, the sophomore tallied nearly 100 yards from scrimmage on the afternoon.
However, the story of the day was the defense, with the first- and second-team units combining to keep the offense off the scoreboard for 13 of the session’s 16 series. Ends Marques Murrell and Jason Hunter continue to form a dynamic tandem for the first-team defense, as they combined to wreak havoc on Williams and the first-team backfield for much of the day.
Sophomore cornerback Justin Woazeah had perhaps the biggest day of any Mountaineer, as he tallied an interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery and blocked punt in the short scrimmage.
Despite the offensive and defensive fireworks, the play of the day came on special teams, as junior Dominick Dingle returned a punt for 50-plus yards, only to be flipped head-over-feet by punter Julian Rauch inside the 30 yard line.
Appalachian hits the practice field twice on Wednesday, with practices in the morning and afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
The Citadel
Bulldogs Work on Red Zone on Day Nine of Camp
Charleston, SC?The Citadel football returned to single practice after having their first two-a-day in full pads yesterday. The Bulldogs continue to work hard as first year head coach Kevin Higgins prepares the squad to host Charleston Southern on September 3.
“I am really happy with our performance on the first day of two full contact practices,” commented Higgins.
The Bulldogs finished up the second practice with a real competitive short yardage and goal line drill.
“Emotions were high on both sides of the ball,” added Higgins. “We competed hard.”
Emotions rolled over into today’s practice as the Dogs’ main emphasis was on red zone installation for both the offense and the defense.
The squad will continue with two-a-days tomorrow and Friday with a single practice slated for Thursday.
Injury report: Freshman linebacker Steve Spann dislocated his shoulder during practice on Monday and is considered week-to-week.
Furman
Two-Minute Offense and Defense Emphasized in Tuesday Furman Practice; Freshman Gain Notice
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins continued work on both two minute offense and defensive schemes, as well as overall situational work in Tuesday’s single afternoon practice session.
“We got in some solid work today, and we’ll probably end every practice from here on out with work on our two-minute offense and defense,” said Furman head coach Bobby Lamb following practice.
Sophomore split end Garrett Inman returned to the field on Tuesday after missing three days with a sore hamstring.
“Garrett had some freshman legs and made some nice catches out there, but we’re still missing (tight end) John Rust,” added Lamb, who also indicated freshman flanker R.J. Webb “had another good day.”
Two other freshmen who continued to gain Lamb’s attention include twins Hunter and Thomas Twitty. Former standouts at Birmingham’s Mountain Brook High School, Hunter plays linebacker and Thomas is seeing action at safety.
“The Twitty boys have been very impressive. They know how to play the game and have good instincts.”
Another newcomer, Thomas Slaughter from Rock Hill, S.C., has become the first freshman to nail down a spot on the travel squad, according to Lamb.
“Our snapper is going to be Thomas Slaughter. That will take a load off John Kivett, who will be starting at right tackle for us. Kivett, a junior, had handled snapping duties the last two years.
Furman will practice twice on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Notes: Junior tight end Brad Bell missed Tuesday’s practice due the death of his father in Watkinsville, Ga. Freshman center Daniel Leagans, a walk-on from Ware Shoals, S.C., has joined the team in preseason camp following a season ending knee injury to sophomore defensive end Sam Pitts.
Western Carolina
Western Carolina Chancellor to Ask Trustees to Extend Football Coach Contract
CULLOWHEE ? Western Carolina University Chancellor John W. Bardo announced Tuesday (Aug. 16) that he will ask the university’s board of trustees to grant a one-year contract extension for Kent Briggs, the Catamounts’ head football coach who is battling head and neck cancer.
Briggs, who is recovering after a seven-week round of chemotherapy and radiation treatments following surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his neck, is in the final year of a four-year contract.
“As most people know, Kent is dealing with a very serious, potentially life-threatening illness right now. He and his family obviously have enough on their minds without worrying about his status at the university at the end of the current football season,” Bardo said.
“We want to be sure we make evaluations about all university employees based on their on-the-job performance during normal circumstances. These are not normal circumstances for Kent, and I feel it only fair and reasonable to give him an extension on his contract through the 2006 season,” he said.
Bardo said he plans to ask the board to approve the contact extension at its Sept. 2 meeting.
“I think it is important that Coach Briggs and his family know we are behind them,” Bardo said. “Kent and his wife, Lisa, have been a part of the university family for many years. Both are graduates of Western, and both have a great deal of affection for this institution. The university needs to stand by its people in times of difficulty.”
Briggs, 48, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Western. An Asheville native and graduate of Reynolds High School, he played quarterback at Western under legendary coach Bob Waters from 1976 until 1979, and later worked as assistant coach with Waters from 1980 until 1988. Lisa Briggs, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western, is an assistant professor of applied criminology.
Chip Smith, director of athletics at Western, called Bardo’s decision “sensible and compassionate.”
“I appreciate the support of Chancellor Bardo in working out this agreement,” Smith said. “Kent and his family have experienced a very difficult summer. This will let Kent focus on his recuperation and the season ahead without any unnecessary concerns.”
Briggs said he is grateful to the university administration for the decision to extend his contract.
“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of my staff and family for the great show of support Dr. Bardo and Chip Smith have given me through this difficult time. Extending my contract is a great gesture of faith in me as a person, as well as what we are doing and how we are doing it,” Briggs said.
“I am a Catamount and always will be. I will continue my effort in making this program the best it can be. The coaching staff and players are excited about the upcoming season and feel like the future is a good one. This year’s team has a good mix of experience and newcomers, which should make this challenging year an exciting one,” he said.
“This year extension will give this staff, current players and players we are recruiting solid continuity over the next year.”
Wofford
Night practices continue for Wofford football
The Wofford football team, normally doing the two-a-day routine during the second week of practices, instead has shifted its focus to a single three-hour session. The Terriers used Snyder Field for the second-straight evening Tuesday.
"I think everyone has done a great job," said head coach Mike Ayers. "When you go three hours, especially in the heat we have had, it makes it tough. But, everyone is working hard and getting after it. We are getting better.
"As coaches, we have seen a tremendous amount of progress in the past couple of days. I really think we will have an opportunity to be a good football team and a lot of young kids will have a chance to play. If we continue to practice hard and practice smart, stay away from the injuries, then we will be alright."
The focuses of Tuesday's practice were "certain pass routes and a certain defense that we are going to see in the first game. I think defensively what we were looking at was a little bit more on the installation, pass rush, combination stunts and the overall plan. We also worked real hard in the kicking game.
Wofford will continue with the same routine Wednesday. Position meetings begin at 10 a.m. followed by lifting at 3 p.m.