Wofford
Wofford Football Opens Practice
SPARTANBURG, SC ? The Wofford College football team took part in the first practice of the 2008 season on Monday evening. The helmet-only practice lasted just over two hours.
The day began for the players with fitting for equipment and meetings. Special teams meetings and position meetings were held in the afternoon. The first practice began at 6:15 pm. Most of the practice was spent on position work, with short seven-on-seven and team segments.
“It was a good day of work,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “We were able to evaluate some freshmen and got a good feel for those guys. There are definitely some kids out there with talent that can help us. Fitness-wise we are in pretty good shape for the majority of the team. If we are willing to come out, willing to push and get after it, then you know in the end we will have a chance to be successful. These first few practices it is a lot of teaching, but at the same time, it is all about fundamentals.”
Due to injuries, several upperclassmen have not reported to practice as part of the 90-man roster. This list includes Grant Duren, Brian Mizelle, Joseph Inman, Chris Tommie and Monier Abusaft. Jonathan Hufford will miss the season as the Wofford Presidential International Scholar.
With punter and kickoff specialist Chris Tommie out for the season due to a knee injury, those positions will likely be filled by a freshman. Grant Cody (Redding, Conn.), Craig Novack (Savannah, Ga.) and Carter Stinman (Watham, N.C.) have joined the team for practices.
Practice will be held on the intramural field next to Gibbs Stadium until the end of Carolina Panthers training camp. All practices are open to the public; however keep in mind that the schedule can change without notice.
The Terriers will open the 2008 season on Saturday, August 30 against Presbyterian at Gibbs Stadium. Tickets are available by calling the Wofford Ticket Office at 864-597-4090.
Elon
Phoenix Preseason Football Practice Update #2
ELON, N.C. ? Back on the practice fields donning helmets without pads, Elon hit the Hunt and Tucker Fields for the second session ? a two-hour-and-45-minute outing ? of the 2008 Phoenix preseason football practice schedule on a toasty yet breezy Monday afternoon.
“I know the forecast said that it was supposed to be really hot today, but it was really a perfect practice day,” Elon coach Pete Lembo said. “It was hot, but we had a breeze with some sporadic cloud cover so it was just a good balance. When you’re out here only one practice a day, you want it to be a little hot out to help build some mental toughness.”
The Phoenix conducted three team periods ? one with a run and play action emphasis and the other two with a pass emphasis ? to go along with two pass skeleton segments and one-on-one routes between the wide receivers and the defensive backs. Meanwhile, the special teams spent their time on point-after-touchdown kicks, field goals, punting and punt block technique.
“I was really happy with the overall operation of practice today,” Lembo said. “After just one day yesterday, our new players really developed a good feel for the pace of practice and how quickly things move along. They knew where they were going and were really into it.”
Quarterback Scott Riddle hit wide receiver Bo Williamson on a deep ball during the opening pass skeleton period. Fullback Tim Applegate made a number of impressive catches out of the backfield. Meanwhile, defensive back Terell Wilson made a nice breakup of a Riddle pass attempt to wide receiver Terrell Hudgins.
Defensive back Deven Persaud hauled in an interception while defensive lineman Robert McGruder turned in a solid outing, demonstrating his pass blocking technique from his nose guard post.
“Tailback Brandon Newsome and defensive back Walker White ? two guys that have been with us all three years now ? obviously had a really good summer,” Lembo said. “They both look a step faster to me out here and are really giving a good effort.”
The Phoenix will return to the Hunt and Tucker Fields at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon for the third session of the 2008 Elon preseason football practice schedule. All sessions are open to the public and fans are encouraged to attend.
Tickets for individual games went on sale Friday morning. Individuals wishing to purchase tickets and inquire about a parking pass are encouraged to do so at www.elonphoenix.com or by calling (336) 278-6750.
Season tickets for priority bleacher back seats are being sold for $100 each, faculty/staff priority bleacher back seats are $50, reserved bleacher seats are $70 and faculty/staff reserved bleacher seats are $35. Individual tickets for priority bleacher back seats are $20 and reserved bleacher and grass seats are $15.
Elon ended up 17th in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision according to College Sporting News’ 2007 Gridiron Power Index. The Phoenix finished 2007 ranked 23rd nationally in both the FCS Coaches' poll and The Sports Network's poll.
Recently picked second in the Southern Conference preseason polls by both the league’s coaches and media, Elon has also been ranked among the country’s top FCS teams in the preseason polls announced this summer by USA Today Sports Weekly (No. 8), The Sporting News (No. 12), Any Given Saturday (No. 15), SME Network Broadcasters (No. 15), Lindy’s (No. 17) and Phil Steele (No. 17).
The 2008 campaign begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 30 when Richmond visits Rhodes Stadium. The Spiders finished the 2007 season ranked No. 4 in the FCS Coaches’ poll and No. 5 in The Sports Network’s poll after fashioning an 11-3 record on their way to claiming a Colonial Athletic Association championship and a semifinal appearance in the FCS playoffs.
Samford
SAMFORD FOOTBALL OPENS FALL PRACTICE
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.?The Samford football team held its first fall practice of the 2008 season Monday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs worked out for about two hours in shorts and helmets.
Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said he liked what he saw from his team in its first fall practice.
“I thought we were in good condition,” Sullivan said. “I thought we got in a lot of good fundamental work, and we were able to look at a lot of our new players. We have a long way to go, but it was a really good first day.”
Sullivan pointed out a few players who stood out during Monday’s workout.
“It’s kind of hard in shorts to tell much, but you can see (freshman receiver) Riley Hawkins can run,” Sullivan said. “I thought (sophomore running back) Chris Evans looked smooth. (Junior receiver) Jonathan Lowery also had a good day. Defensively, it looked like our linebackers had a good practice.”
Earlier on Monday, Sullivan and five of the team’s seniors, Marcus Rice, Rodney Shepherd, Quinton Smith, Tommy Smith and Mitchell Waters met with the media at Samford’s annual Football Media Day, which was held in the Pete Hanna Center.
The Bulldogs will return to practice on Tuesday with a workout at 3:10 p.m. in shorts and helmets. The team’s first practice in full pads is scheduled for Aug. 8 at 8:20 a.m. The Bulldogs’ first two-a-day workout is scheduled for Aug. 9.
The Citadel
Bulldogs Return to the Gridiron in Opening of Fall Camp
Charleston, S.C. ? The Citadel Football team officially kicked off fall camp as they hit the Maybank Triplets practice field for their first official practice of the 2008 season at 8 a.m. on Monday morning.
The Citadel fans came out to get a sneak peak of the new squad that returns 16 starters and consists of 26 freshmen, several who are expected to fill in some gaps left by last year’s record-setting seniors.
The Bulldogs, in helmets and shorts, had a slight overcast that provided some relief from the typical Charleston summer heat; however plenty of water was on hand. No injuries were reported during the 3-hour workout.
“It was a good first day,” said Bulldog Head Coach Kevin Higgins. “Our guys are in great shape. They did a good job this summer from a conditioning standpoint and are more ahead than they were last year this time.
“I think the thing that stood out the most is that we had more guys who were vocal and holding guys accountable. That’s the beginning of a good football fall camp.”
Going into the preseason training, The Bulldogs are ranked in the top 25 in several polls with their highest ranking at No. 16 and holding the No. 24 spot in the College Sporting News preseason poll. Picked to finish sixth in the SoCon by both the coaches and media, the Bulldogs have five players selected to preseason teams.
“Our guys are excited to prove that we are better than the sixth team in the conference,” Higgins added.
The Bulldogs will return to the Maybank Triplets practice field for another 3-hour workout on Tuesday at 8 a.m. For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, visit the official home of The Citadel Athletics at CitadelSports.com.
Georgia Southern
GSU Fall Football Practice Day 4
STATESBORO, Ga. ? For the first time this fall the entire Georgia Southern Football team came together for practice. Monday morning’s (Aug. 4) session marked day four of fall camp.
The Eagles will practice at the same time Tuesday (the first day in full pads) before the first multiple-workout during camp on Wednesday. Day four was similar to the previous three, temperatures in the 90s or higher and the occasional breeze to help combat the triple-digit heat index.
Second year head coach Chris Hatcher and the Eagles went through a longer-than-normal practice Monday morning.
“We had a good practice, about two and a half hours. As you well know that’s as long as I like to be out on the field at any time. But we got a lot of reps,” said Hatcher. “We’ve grouped guys, a starter with a young player out on the skill positions, just trying to find the best combinations and see who’s going to be ready. Our goal is to work our guys as hard as we can until Saturday. We’ll take a day off Saturday then take Sunday off as well. Going into the final week of camp we want to have our squad limited down so we can get one really good week of work with just the guys we are counting on playing.”
Starting quarterback Lee Chapple (Norcross/Greater Atlanta Christian) threw an impressive pass to Raja Andrews (Swainsboro/Swainsboro) but the senior wide receiver could not hold onto the ball. He made up for it later in the drive hauling in a Chapple pass for a touchdown... Preseason All-Southern Conference pick Larry Beard (Fairburn/Sandy Creek) knocked down a pass and nearly came away with an interception... Adam Urbano (Calhoun/Calhoun), one of the incoming freshman running backs looking for immediate playing time, broke off an impressive run deep into the secondary... Marc Thomas (Tampa, FL/Hillsborough) recorded a quarterback sack and fellow freshman linebacker Tavaris Williams (Hahira/Lowndes County) intercepted a pass and ran it back for a score... Senior linebacker Justin Callaway (Thomson/Thomson) picked up a loose ball and ran it in for a touchdown... Freshman running back David Arnold (Adel/Valdosta) caught a pass inside the redzone and scored a touchdown... Linebacker Harland Bower (Edison, N.J./East Ridge {FL}) recorded a quarterback sack and another tackle for a loss on the same drive... Terrione Benefield (Conyers/Heritage) completed an impressive interception earlier in practice. Callway tipped a pass then Jermaine Murphy (Kennesaw/Harrison) also got his hands on the pass but could not make the catch. He kept it airborne, which allowed Benefield to come up with the pick.
When evaluating the freshman class, Hatcher said it is too early to tell who will play immediately but thinks this is an impressive class.
“It’s too early right now for me to just throw out some names (on who will play this year). I’ll say this - this is one of the few classes that every one of the freshman I really believe has a chance to help us if not this year, next year, or a couple years down the road. We did a good job of evaluating, there’s just not one guy out here where we say ?oh man, we can start him’. They’re all doing well but there is a big learning curve, more so for some than others, but right now I believe they are right where they need to be.”
Appalachian State
ASU Football Fall Camp Report ? Monday, Aug. 4
BOONE, N.C. ? After two days of practice in helmets and shorts, Appalachian State University football strapped on shoulder pads and began some light hitting to highlight Monday’s practice session.
Easing in to the year by practicing without pads on Saturday and Sunday, the pop of the pads returned on Monday, although full contact and tackling will have to wait until Wednesday per NCAA regulations.
With the shoulder pads came increased 11-on-11 drills, as the Mountaineers held full-team periods midway through practice and again near the end of the two-hour workout. As is usually the case this early in camp, the defense got the best of the offense during much of the 11-on-11 drills.
Especially impressive was the ASU defensive front, which collected multiple sacks and forced hurried throws throughout the full-team work. Highlighting the effort up front were sacks by ends Quavian Lewis and Justin Johnson and tackles Malcolm Bennett and Gordy Witte and pressure from a cast that included Lewis, Witte, tackle Daniel Finnerty and end Jason Jones, among others.
Not to be totally outdone, the offense turned in some fine plays as well, highlighted by a long run by wide receiver Matt Cline on an end-around and a frozen-rope pass from freshman quarterback DeAndre Presley that was bobbled but hauled in by wide receiver Tavaris Washington, who then split the defensive backfield with his speed and took it the distance for a score. Walter Payton Award candidate Armanti Edwards managed to escape the pressure for a handful of nice completions, including connections with senior wideouts T.J. Courman and James Hill.
Practice in helmets and shoulder pads resumes on Tuesday with the first day of full pads set for Wednesday.
Due to safety concerns caused by the ongoing construction at Kidd Brewer Stadium, all practices in 2008 are CLOSED to the public. Fans have the opportunity to see the Mountaineers in person at ASU’s annual Fan Fest on Aug. 16. Until then, fans can keep up with the Apps through regular audio, video and print updates from the practice field right here at GoASU.com.
Edwards on Tuesday’s College Football Live: ASU quarterback Armanti Edwards will be a guest on Tuesday’s edition of ESPN’s College Football Live. The show, hosted by Rece Davis, airs at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday’s appearance marks Edwards’ second on ESPN’s daily college football news show. He was also a guest on the show following ASU’s 34-32 win over Michigan in last year’s season opener.
WKBC-FM to Air Around The Mountain: North Wilkesboro’s WKBC 97.3 FM, the 100,000-watt flagship station of the Appalachian ISP Sports Network, has begun airing ASU’s Around The Mountain. The daily look at all of the news around Mountaineer athletics can be heard on WKBC-FM at 5:20 p.m. each afternoon.
For those who can’t catch Around The Mountain on WKBC-FM, it can also be heard right here at GoASU.com and on the following Appalachian ISP Sports Network affiliates:
WATA AM 1450 - Boone
WXIT AM 1200 - Blowing Rock
WZGM AM 1350 - Asheville
WLON AM 1050 - Lincolnton
WOHS AM 730 - Shelby
WHKY AM 1290 - Hickory
WSIC AM 1400 - Statesville
WBLO AM 790 - Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem
WLNC AM 1300 - Laurinburg
WPWT AM 870 - Tri-Cities, Tenn.
Furman
FURMAN SET TO KICK OFF PRESEASON CAMP TUESDAY
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins kick off the 2008 preseason Tuesday afternoon with a 4:30 p.m. practice in shorts and helmets.
“Everybody is here and ready to go,” said Furman head coach Bobby Lamb, who welcomed 90 players to campus Monday afternoon. “We open the season in three and half weeks, so we’ve got to make every practice and meeting count.”
Before hitting the fields in shorts and helmets Tuesday afternoon, Furman’s players will undergo conditioning tests in Paladin Stadium beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Furman’s practice schedule this week includes daily sessions at 2:45 p.m.
The Paladins’ first practice in full pads is set for Saturday, also at 2:45.
Furman's “Verizon Wireless Football Fan Fest” is scheduled for Sunday, August 10 at Timmons Arena, with player and coach introductions set to begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by the Verizon Wireless Playbook, where Paladin coaches and players will demonstrate several football formations and plays. Players will be available for pictures and autographs from 3:00-4:15 p.m. Doors to air conditioned Timmons Arena will open at 1:30 p.m.