Georgia Southern
Fall Practice Report #8
Eagles participate in second three-a-day workout this week
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Football finished a stretch of eight straight days of fall camp practices with three sessions Friday (Aug. 8) at the practice fields. Head coach Chris Hatcher is giving his team off this weekend then come back to work Monday afternoon.
The Eagles worked out in full pads during the two 2-hour sessions in the morning and afternoon, then an hour workout in shells at night.
“Well it was pretty good. We got better in all phases of the game. It was cooler out here today. We need a couple really hot days to start getting used to it,” said Hatcher. “Guys came out and had a lot of enthusiasm on both sides of the ball. Tonight we’ll come back out and try to get a little better before we take a two day break.”
Hatcher noted that some freshmen are making a push for immediate playing time.
“Certain positions we are starting to get a better idea who we’re going to play, starting to get a better idea of which freshmen are going to be able to play,” said Hatcher. “Next week we will narrow it down a little more and hopefully by the practice next Friday we will know the 1s, 2s and 3s on down the depth chart then we’ll start getting ready for the University of Georgia.”
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE: Season tickets for the six Georgia Southern football games at Paulson Stadium are currently on sale. To purchase the packages call the ticket office at 800-GSU-WINS.
HATCHER TO MAKE APPEARANCE AT HARVEYS: This Saturday (Aug. 9) Harveys Supermarket on Fair Road is teaming up with Coca-Cola and Eagle Sports Marketing to kick off the football season the right way. From 2-4 p.m. fans can come out and meet head football coach Chris Hatcher... The Georgia Southern Cheerleaders and everyone's favorite mascot GUS will also be in attendance. Eagle Sports Marketing will be on hand giving out free Georgia Southern promotional items. There will also be free samples handed out of Vitamin Water and Coke Zero, courtesy of Coca-Cola. The event is free and open to the public. For any additional information call Eagle Sports Marketing at (912) 478-1500.
STUDENT TICKETS FOR GEORGIA GAME ON SALE FRIDAY, AUG. 22: Georgia Southern student tickets for the August 30th Georgia Southern-Georgia football game will go on sale Friday, August 22nd at 4 p.m. Full-time Georgia Southern students will have the opportunity to purchase two tickets at $45 apiece at the ticket booth at Gate 4 of Paulson Stadium on Friday, August 22nd beginning at 4 p.m. Ticket purchasers will not be allowed to camp out and can line up no earlier than 2 p.m. Students must present a GSU student ID which will be scanned to verify current enrollment status. Tickets can be purchased with cash or Visa/Mastercard only.
GUS AT THE SAVANNAH SAND GNATS GAME: Georgia Southern’s own GUS will throw out the first pitch at the Savannah Sand Gnats game this Saturday (Aug. 9) at Grayson Stadium versus the Columbus Catfish. The game is tabbed the rivalry baseball game GSU vs. UGA. GUS and Eagle Sports Marketing will be on site handing out football, volleyball and soccer schedule cards, ticket information, Southern Booster brochures, and also taking ticket orders.
Furman
Furman Football Set For Full Gear Saturday
11-on-11 Scrimmage Slated For Final 25 Minutes Of Practice
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins wrapped up their fourth and final practice of the preseason in shorts Friday afternoon in preparation of Saturday's first practice in full gear.
"We've covered a lot over the last four days, and now it's time to move into the next phase," said head football coach Bobby Lamb following Friday's nearly three hour practice. "We'll strap `em on tomorrow and go 11-on-11 for the final 25 minutes. That should give us about 25 plays."
With the move to full pads and contact on the horizon, Lamb continued to cite the strong play of several of his squad's freshmen, including wide receiver Daniel McFadden, tailback Walt Lenard, and fullback Tersoo Uhaa.
"Daniel McFadden has really been impressive catching a lot of balls over the first four days, and Walt Lenard has shown us some real ability in catching the ball out of the backfield and running with it. I've also been pleased with Tersoo Uhaa."
The Paladins spent some time Friday working on special teams after Thursday's practice was interrupted for 45 minutes due to lightning, concentrating on punt team, extra point team, and field goal block teams. Furman also initiated work on its kickoff squad.
Lamb indicated he expects the battle for the placekicking chores to continue among Trent Hawk, Matt Cesari, and Chas Short, and that freshman Ben Granger may push Hawk for the punting job.
Competition for both positions is expected to resume Monday after Short and Granger rejoin the team over the weekend. Both players missed Thursday and Friday practices following the death of Short's grandfather and Granger's great-grandmother.
Saturday's practice is slated to begin at 2:45 p.m.
Furman's "Verizon Wireless Football Fan Fest" is scheduled for Sunday 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.
Elon
Phoenix Preseason Football Practice Update #6
ELON, N.C. ? The Elon Phoenix football team hit the Hunt and Tucker Fields in full pads for the sixth session of the 2008 Elon preseason practice schedule on a picturesque Friday afternoon.
“Today was a pretty good day of practice. We had a beautiful day out here today with a nice breeze and cool temperatures and were competitive on both sides of the ball,” head coach Pete Lembo said. “We also had an NFL scout here today taking a look at a couple of our seniors. It’s always exciting for your kids to see that some guys can be on the radar to play at the next level."
Friday’s practice consisted of an inside run period followed by a team run and play action period, two pass skeletons, and one-on-one routes with the defensive back against the receivers. The special team unit worked on PAT field goals, punt coverage, and kickoff returns. Practice ended with a “move the ball” scrimmage.
The deep ball was the highlight of today’s practice with each of the three top quarterbacks completing passes to their intended receivers. Sophomore Scott Riddle connected with senior Bo Williamson three times, while sophomore Donny Kirby hit senior Charles Ball and freshman Thomas Wilson connected with freshman Jordan Robinson.
Sophomore receiver Sean Jeffcoat turned in another solid practice, while freshman Darrius McQueen continued to shine with the ball in his hands. Junior tight end Matt Leddy also hauled in pass during today’s practice.
The defensive unit finished strong and stopped several offensive drives on third down. Defensive tackle Eric Ludwig had a tackle for a loss, while safely Walker White had a pass break up.
The Phoenix will return to the Hunt and Tucker Fields at 8 a.m. then again 7:30 p.m. Saturday for the seventh and eighth sessions of the 2008 Elon preseason football practice schedule. All sessions are open to the public and fans are encouraged to attend.
Wofford
Wofford Football Puts on the Pads
SPARTANBURG, SC ? The Wofford College football team put on full pads on Friday afternoon for the first time this season for a two-hour practice.
Practice began at 3:30 pm with a 20-play “off on ball” series. Following individual drills, the team worked in skelly and pass rush drills. The special teams period focused on field goal, PAT and punting.
In team drills, Andy Strickland came up with a long catch from Ben Widmyer. Strickland returned the favor with a pass deep to Travis Boyd. Widmyer also found Fenn Allen for a long completion. On the defensive side, Jason Leventis came up with two interceptions, while Gary Blount and Tommy Irvin both added picks.
“It was not our best work out there this afternoon,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “We need to keep our focus at all times when we are on the field. It will be really for real tomorrow afternoon in the second practice. We will kick it up a notch with a scrimmage and see how the freshmen respond.”
The only players held out of practice due to injury were Kyle Lanham and Jordan Ingman.
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 first two-a-day will be held on Saturday, going at 8:45 am and 6:15 pm with the late practice scheduled to be a scrimmage.
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.
Western Carolina
Catamount Football Practices in Full Pads, Two-a-Days for First Time on Friday
WCU endured two practice sessions on Friday, including morning and afternoon sessions
Catamount Football Practice Update (Aug. 8) Photo Gallery
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina worked through practices six and seven on Friday morning and afternoon, respectively, in the first of four two-a-day sessions scheduled for the preseason. Friday also marked the first day in full pads for the Catamounts, donning the full gear during the two-hour morning practice on the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.
In the afternoon session, the Catamounts hit the new grass practice field across the creek in helmets and shoulder pads only for the first-time this preseason.
"I thought we came out and had good work ethic the whole practice this morning," said first-year head coach Dennis Wagner. "I felt we challenged our guys midway through the practice with our `Cat Drill,' which is a real emotional drill for our football team. Overall, though, I thought it was a good first day (in full pads). We have a lot of work to do, but made we made a lot of progress."
The 22-segment practice opened with individual position work with the position coaches, which then broke into unit work and position-versus-position work as the offensive and defensive line worked against each other. The wide outs and tight ends also worked through routes and check downs with the quarterbacks. The focus continues to be on getting better as units and making the other side better as a team. On offense, the coaches are stressing tempo - breaking the huddle and getting the line of scrimmage quickly.
Midway through the session, the coaching staff implemented the newly heralded "Cat Drill."
"(The Cat Drill) is a 5-to-7 minute segment where we challenge nine guys on offense and nine guys on defense to come out in front of their peers; we build a tunnel about 10 yards long and we see which guy can shove the other out of the tunnel," explained Wagner with a slight grin. "There is usually something at stake, like conditioning, and the experience becomes competitive. We want them to cheer for each other, offensively and defensively, but to also cheer for your teammates."
"All we are trying to do is create some camaraderie and some competition in the middle of practice when things start to slow down. We never tell them when we are going to have a Cat Drill, so they have to be prepared and ready to go whenever we call for the drill," Wagner summed up.
When asked about the depth chart and establishing starters for the season, Wagner indicated that at this present time, all positions are open and nothing has been set.
"All of the positions are up for grabs until we have our first scrimmage on Aug. 16," said Wagner. "From then we will start to build depth charts and putting ourselves in a position to prepare for Shorter College."
"Obviously the quarterback position is the first one that comes to mind with three guys; Andy Horn, Zack Jaynes and Adam Hearns. All three of those guys bring something different to the table. We need for one of them to separate himself, take this team and be the leader on offense," Wagner continued. "Defensively, it's finding depth in our defensive line. We have a couple of new players that are transfers here that are going to be impact players for us, but there are some young freshmen that are fighting and trying to find a spot. But really, there is competition at every position."
WCU has two players already listed in the injury report as senior offensive lineman Ryan Cooper (back) and Ryan Kurzec (hernia) will likely miss most of the season due to injury and surgery. Three players did not suit up during Friday's first day in pads as freshman Andrerius Thomas (undisclosed), junior transfer Sterlin James (knee) and Jenoris Darby (hamstring, precautionary) did not practice.
On a side note, media members representing the Asheville Citizen-Times were on hand shooting photos, video and observing practice. Be sure to check www.Citizen-Times.com for updated audio and video from Catamount football practice.
Highlights from the Morning Scrimmage Sessions:
* Friday morning's practice included two separate scrimmage sessions, starting at the 35 yard line going towards the end zone ... the sessions were non-progressive, meaning each play originated from the same yard line, although varying;
* Junior transfer running back Evan Williams broke a couple nice runs; one on a delay misdirection handoff and a second rush where he beat the defense to the outside edge;
* Each quarterback saw close to an equal number of snaps under center ... unofficially during the first scrimmage session, senior quarterback Andy Horn completed 4-of-5 passes for approximately 55 yards; red-shirt freshman Zack Jaynes was 2-for-2 for 17 yards; and red-shirt sophomore Adam Hearns was 1-for-2 for 15 yards;
* Horn completed a nice out route pass to red-shirt junior Kyle Garland for close to a 20-yard gain ... Both Jaynes and Hearns were able to avoid pressure on numerous occasions with scampers out of the backfield;
* Defensively, Gene Singletary pounced on a fumbled exchange in the offensive backfield ... red-shirt freshman Chris Everett and senior Jeff Bradley each tallied sacks ... Bradley also delivered one of the biggest hits of the preseason as he hit classmate Donald James, who made a reception over the middle and held on the ball after the thunderous stick;
* Although the first segment of the first scrimmage session was spent mostly utilizing the ground game, session was capped by a 35-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline from Hearns to red-shirt sophomore wide receiver Marquel Pittman;
* The second scrimmage session featured several option-type plays out of varying formations ... freshman Levon Curtis picked up a nice gain on a delayed handoff ... Horn found sophomore Greg Clark for a nice gain on a swing pass into the flat, with Horn also hooking up with junior running back Evan Williams on a screen play for a nice pickup;
* A defensive highlight during the second scrimmage session was an interception by junior corner Antoine George.
Appalachian State
ASU Football Fall Camp Report ? Aug. 8
BOONE, N.C. ? In addition to being the last day of class at Appalachian State University until the start of the fall semester later this month, Friday also marked the final day of fall camp for Appalachian football.
Following a grueling week that included final projects and exams as well as football meetings and drills for many of the Mountaineers, head coach Jerry Moore blew Friday’s practice dead after a productive two-hour practice but without the standard conditioning drills at the end of the day.
Like each of the other six practices of the week, Friday’s featured two periods of 11-on-11 drills. Behind true freshman quarterback DeAndre Presley, who took the majority of the snaps in the final period of the day in place of a resting Armanti Edwards, the offense looked sharp.
Presley’s favorite target on the afternoon was junior wide receiver Tavaris Washington, who hauled in long passes from Presley down both the right and left sidelines during the full-team drills at the end of the day. Presley also picked up a big gain on the ground, as did running backs Robert Welton and Cedric Baker.
After the offense marched inside the 10 yard line late in the period, the defense stepped up to make sure its counterparts did not reach paydirt. Defensive tackle Bobby Bozzo made a big tackle for loss on second and goal and on fourth and goal from the one yard line, freshman linebacker Terrence McLean crashed up the middle to stuff a run for a two-yard loss and thwart the scoring threat.
Besides McLean’s big stop on the final play, the defensive play of the day came on the very first play of the final 11-on-11 period when cornerback Cortez Gilbert jumped an out route and to make a tough interception of an Edwards pass.
Saturday marks another “first” in the progression to the season opener at LSU ? which is just three weeks away ? as the Mountaineers hold their first two-a-day session of the year. The Apps enjoy their first off day of camp on Sunday.
A reminder that 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.
Chattanooga
Running Backs Short One Key Member in Preseason
Many observers in the preseason felt that the running back tandem of senior Bryan Fitzgerald and junior Erroll Wynn had the potential to be the best in the Southern Conference in 2008.
That label took a hit on the first day of the Mocs’ preseason camp as Fitzgerald reported with a knee injury that has kept him out of the first week of practice and out indefinitely.
The situation is similar to that of spring practice when a shoulder injury kept Fitzgerald from participating and put a heavy load on Wynn, one of only two other true running backs available.
Running backs coach Junior Adams has had to deal with Fitzgerald’s absence, but the arrival of three talented newcomers has given him a good group to deal with.
“We just have to go with it,” Adams said of dealing with Fitzgerald’s injury. “We have to insert the next guy, get Shaun Kermah more and more reps. Get the young guy, J.J. Jackson more reps. Both of them have missed some time with injuries.
”The guy that is playing well for us right now is Bo Dyer. He is a freshman and is playing consistently for us. We need to give these young guys the reps so we can see who is going to step up and be the No. 2 or 3 tailback.”
Fitzgerald from Memphis, Tenn., led the team in 2007 with 798 yards on 117 carries in his first year after transferring. He was selected as a First-Team Preseason All-Southern Conference running back by the SoCon coaches in July. Wynn, of Jonesboro, Ga., was second on the squad last year with 776 yards on 195 rushes.
Although a junior, Wynn is the elder statesman of the backs as this is his third year with the Mocs. He will hold more leadership responsibilities this season.
“He has to be our leader,” said Adams, a first-year coach at UTC. “He has been here longer than Bryan. He is getting better at every practice and making sure he is being consistent and being consistent with his runs, staying on track and getting his foot in the ground.
“He is a veteran. He has to lead this group and carry the load for us. He has to be a down-to-down back. When we talk about him separating himself from the pack, we talk about him being an all-conference back, carrying the ball 30 times a game, taking the pounding and being able to protect and being good in our flare patrol.”
Joining Wynn in the backfield are newcomers Shaun Kermah, a junior college transfer from Glendale Community College in California, J. J. Jackson, a freshman from Marietta, Ga., and Bo Dyer a freshman from Gatlinburg, Tenn.
“Kermah is strong and powerful,” Adams said. “He can protect when he wants to. We have to get him to run with lower pad level and protect the football. He has to protect the football and learn how to use his strength and power.
“Jackson is talented. He has a lot of good skill sets. He has a bright future in this program. He has been injured. Dyer, a walk-on, is a tough kid. He is running the ball well for us right now and doing a good job.”
Head Coach Rodney Allison has still not ruled out hope for Fitzgerald’s return this fall. Team medical personnel are looking at several options, one of which is surgery. Fitzgerald still has a year remaining for a redshirt should the injury keep him from participating in 2008.
The Mocs will hold their first scrimmage Saturday at about 9:15 a.m. at Finley Stadium. The public is invited to attend.
Chattanooga opens the season Aug. 30 at No. 4 Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. Season tickets are still available by visiting UTC’s official athletics website, GoMocs.com or by calling the box office at 423-266-6627.
Samford
Football Has Physical First Day In Full Pads
The Bulldogs practiced for about two hours Friday morning
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team held its first practice in full pads Friday morning at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs practiced for about two hours.
"Obviously it was not polished, but I thought we had a really good day," Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. "We were fortunate to get through it without any injuries. For our first day in pads, I thought we had a physical practice."
The coaches are still evaluating who the starter will be at certain positions, including quarterback.
"Dante Williams is having a good camp for us at quarterback," Sullivan said. "That is evident today in pads. We are going to give all of the quarterbacks as much of a chance as we can."
Sullivan added that he likes the progress his team is making.
"Some of our guys have gotten bigger and stronger," Sullivan said. "We were able to have a physical practice today, and that is what we were looking for."
The Bulldogs will scrimmage for the first time Saturday afternoon. Saturday is also the first day of two-a-day workouts. The team will practice Saturday morning at 8:20 a.m. in shorts and helmets, and then will scrimmage that afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
"We will use tomorrow as an evaluation scrimmage," Sullivan said. "We will get everyone in and go as long as we can. We will probably run about 120 plays."
Samford opens the 2008 season on Thursday, Aug. 28, when the Bulldogs play host to West Georgia. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT start.