FURMAN FOOTBALL PRESEASON PRACTICE UNDERWAY
GREENVILLE, S.C. ? The Furman Paladins opened preseason football camp on Sunday with conditioning tests in the morning and a two-hour afternoon practice in shorts and helmets.
“The results of the conditioning tests were very positive, and there was certainly a lot of energy and enthusiasm out there today in our first practice, which we expected” said head coach Bobby Lamb.
The conditioning tests, held in Paladin Stadium, involved running 14 100-yard sprints with 30 seconds of rest between intervals. Running time requirements varied according to positional groups.
“Approximately 95 percent of our guys passed their conditioning tests, which is normal. Those who didn’t were almost exclusively walk-ons and a couple of freshmen. Overall, though, we’re very pleased with the shape of our team. They are ready to go.”The squad’s first practice involving 90 players in mid 90-degree heat covered a number of drills and 7-on-7 work.
“Naturally, when you’re going 7-on-7, the groups that are getting highlighted and evaluated the most are your receivers, defensive backs, and quarterbacks, and we got a good first look at them today.
“I was very impressed with our defensive backs, mainly Ryan Steed, Julian Hicks, and Max Lerner. Ryan, in particular, made a lot of big plays.
“I also thought our receiveers looked good. It was nice to see R.J. Webb back out there along with Adam Mims. Sederrik Cunningham had a couple of really nice catches, and Daniel McFadden had a super catch on a long ball.
Lamb also complimented the work of his top three quarterbacks, Jordan Sorrells, Cody Worley, and Chris Forcier.
“As always, there’s only so much you can do in shorts and helmets. We’ll have three days of that before we get into full pads.”Furman practices at 2:30 p.m. Monday.
Offensive and Defensive Highlights Mocs First Scrimmage
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program had its first scrimmage of fall camp at Finley Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was also the Mocs’ first session in the afternoon sun on a hot August day.
It was a scripted scrimmage that began with 10 plays for the first unit beginning on the offense’s 20-yard line followed by 10 plays from the second team. It continued back-and-forth until the offense was given an opportunity from the short field with the ball placed on the defense’s 40-yard line.
Other situations included putting the offense’s one-yard line as well as red-zone offense beginning at the 25-yard marker. Field goal, kickoff and punt drills were run through as well.
Both the offense and defense provided highlights on the day. The defense forced seven turnovers with senior linebacker Joseph Thornton returning one 66 yards for a score. Converted safety Joel Bradford also had an interception for the first team defense while senior defensive end Josh Beard recorded a sack in the early reps of the scrimmage.
Senior quarterback Jare Gault and sophomore transfer B.J. Coleman both had plenty strong plays. Gault’s 25-yard strike to fellow senior Blue Cooper proved to be the offense’s first score of the day. Coleman also found the end zone on the day.
Other top performances included senior running back Bryan Fitzgerald. His 25-yard run to open red-zone offense was a strong run inside the tackles. Terrance Davis, a redshirt freshman wide receiver who transferred from Mississippi State had an excellent catch on a 17-yard slant, while senior wideout Chris Pitchford caught a 29-yard toss from Coleman in coverage on a post route for a score. Senior kicker Craig Camay’s long field goal on the day came from 45 yards out, while he just missed from 52.
Note: Complete statistics are unavailable due to the nature of the scripted scrimmage.
GSU Fall Camp Practice #5
Coach Hatcher changes Monday practice time.
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern hit the football practice fields in full pads Sunday afternoon (Aug. 9) and the defense helped set the tone.
Head coach Chris Hatcher also said practice times for Monday have been changed, going to two sessions instead of the three scheduled. The times have been changed to 7:30-10 a.m. and 5:45-8:15 p.m.
Taking advantage of the first day in full pads the team ran scripted plays during a full contact scrimmage at the end of practice. Tavaris Williams, Calvin West and Harland Bower all came up with a sack. Darrell Pasco recorded a tackle for loss but his biggest play came on 3rd-and-long when he knocked a pass attempt loose after laying a big hit to keep the offense from moving the chains. Kyle Collins connected with Jamere Valentine on a 15-yard completion. Dion DuBose and Darius Eubanks combined to make a stop on 3rd-and-short. Collins found Mitchell Williford for a long gain. Darreion Robinson broke loose for a run that covered 30-plus yards. Facing 3rd-and-10 from the 25 following Robinson's run, Lee Chapple avoided a sack and while scrambling hit Garryon Taylor - who made an over-the-shoulder catch - in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown.
"It was a good day. I think we got better from yesterday, which yesterday to be honest with you may have been the best practice we've had out here since I've been the coach. We got a little bit better, I'm not talking about as far as the execution and knowing what to do but our attitude. It was awesome to see the guys wanting to learn and flying around," said Hatcher. "We full tackled a little bit. I thought we had a couple of good plays on offense. Thankfully the defense got after the offenses' back side. We had some big hits, and some good football that was being played today which was good to see this early in camp."
Kickoff for the season-opener against Albany (N.Y.) on Saturday, September 5th is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Paulson Stadium. For ticket information call 800-GSU-WINS.
FALL CAMP PRACTICE TIMES
Monday, August 10: 7:30-10 a.m.; 5:45-8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, August 11: 1:30-4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12: 8-10 a.m.; 2:15-4:15 p.m.; 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Thursday, August 13: 1:30-4 p.m.
Friday, August 14: 8-10 a.m.; 2:15-4:15 p.m.; 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 15: 1:30-4 p.m.
Sunday, August 16: Off
Monday, August 17: Off (First day of classes)
All sessions are tentatively scheduled to take place at the practice field complex and Herring Pavilion. Only media members are allowed to take pictures during any practice session. Day/time subject to change
GSU Fall Camp Practice #4
Team comes together for the first time
STATESBORO, Ga. - The tempo picked up Saturday morning (Aug. 8) as Georgia Southern worked through its first session as a full squad out on the football practice fields. Saturday's practice also marked the second straight day in shoulder pads as the Eagles will work out in full pads for the first time on Sunday afternoon.
Head coach Chris Hatcher noticed the team's increased tempo throughout the fourth fall camp practice.
"Our overall attitude and intensity was awesome for the first day (full team together). During camp we try to go a little longer on the one-a-day session. We take care of the guys as best we can, and I thought all in all our tempo, our execution looked pretty decent for the first day. Our goal is to get an inch better every day," said Hatcher. "We spent two and a half hours out here. It was a longer day and we had more people out here. There were a couple of scuffles out there which is always good to see. For 3-5 seconds they are mad at each other then after that they remember they are still on the same team. We feel real good about our team and I think today we took another step in the right direction."
Notes from the 11-on-11 drills at the end of practice. Lee Chapple connected on five of his six passes to five different receivers. The defense came up with a pass break-up and Markeith Wylie recorded a sack in the redzone. J.B. Shippy registered a safety with a quarterback sack. Harland Bower recorded a tackle for loss. Kyle Collins completed three passes during his snaps. He and Chapple completed a pass to seven different receivers.
Kickoff for the season-opener against Albany (N.Y.) on Saturday, September 5th is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Paulson Stadium. For ticket information call 800-GSU-WINS.
DEPTH AT RUNNING BACK: If the wide receivers have the most freshmen on the team then the running backs are close behind in number of underclassmen and new faces.
Sophomore Adam Urbano represented the Eagles on the Southern Conference All-Freshman team. He returns as the team's leading rusher netting 304 yards on 52 attempts (5.8 ypc) with seven touchdowns. Urbano had a knack for scoring TDs in overtime, getting the eventual game-winners at Western Carolina (25 yards) and at The Citadel (3 yards), and also scored from 25 yards against Wofford. Urbano suffered an injury in the triple-OT win at The Citadel and missed the final two games of the season.
Fellow sophomore Zeke Rozier averaged four yards per carry last year, continuing to recover from his knee injury in 2007 that forced him to miss the final nine games. Freshman Darreion Robinson (joined the team in January) and junior transfer Brandon Nolley are ready to make their debut as an Eagle.
"They are getting better and understand what we need them to do. Darreion Robinson is our first team fullback. Adam Urbano, who was injured part of last season, is a tremendous player not only running the ball but a great pass catcher," said Hatcher. "Brandon Nolley we are working in there and Zeke (Rozier) we're working in there too. We feel we have four good ones. They have a lot of responsibility, they have got to be able to be a good ball catcher, a good runner and pick up the blitz. We ask a lot of those guys, and probably other than the quarterback position they may have to know just as much as anyone on the football field."
Bulldog Fall Camp: Day Two
Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel Football returned to the field for a two-hour-and fifty-minute practice on Saturday morning for day two of fall camp at the Maybank Triplets Practice Facility at Willson Field.
It was a typical day of fall practice, starting off with an urgency period which gives all specialists, punt and kickoff returners, punters and holders, an opportunity to work on their skills getting specialize work at that time. This was followed by a warm-up and stretch period. The team then went into individual segments, followed by a team period. The Bulldogs worked offense against defense for a pass skeleton period and a team period offense against defense. Throughout the course of practice, two special teams segments were worked in as well.
"Today was a good practice," said Bulldog Head Coach Kevin Higgins. "We did a nice job working our special teams today. We worked specifically on our punt and our backup punter Alexander Wall really came back to camp a much better punter. His leg looks stronger and his technique is better."
Higgins said kicker Sam Keeler has also shown significant improvement after spending the summer in camp in Alabama.
"He looks like he's a much better kicker as well. So I'm happy with how our specialists are performing thus far in camp. In particular our punt team is doing a better job," Higgins added. "It looks like we've got more athletes which will hopefully make our special teams that much better."
From an offense and defense standpoint, Higgins said they have not done much team work against one another but that will pick up once the team goes to full pads later next week.
Saturday's practice was day two of helmets only. The Bulldogs will return to the gridiron on Monday for the first of two days in helmets and shoulder pads before they move to full pads for day five on Wednesday. All practices will take place at 8 a.m. at the Maybank Triplets Practice Facility at Willson Field.
Again practice welcomed comfortable temperatures in dry conditions on Saturday with no reported injuries.
The Citadel will host their annual Media Day on Sunday at 1 p .m. and return to action Monday morning at 8 a.m. The Bulldogs' season-opener will take place on Saturday, Sept. 5 at North Carolina. Tickets are available in The Citadel ticket office for the 6 p.m. matchup against the Tarheels. For more ticket information, call the ticket office at (843) 953-DOGS (3647). For more information on Bulldog Football, go to the official website of The Citadel Athletics, www.CitadelSports.com.
Fall Report #1: Catamount Football Opens 2009 Fall Camp on Saturday Morning
Worked through a 26-session, two and a half hour session on Whitmire Stadium
Cullowhee, N.C. ? The quest for Western Carolina’s first-ever Southern Conference football championship and vision of ending a 25-year hiatus from the NCAA FCS playoffs began bright and early on Saturday morning as the Catamount football team took to the turf on Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium for its first practice of the fall.
Saturday’s 26-session, two and a half hour practice was the first of 19 such workouts WCU will endure over the next two weeks prior to the first day of classes in Cullowhee on Monday, Aug. 24. The squad will work through mostly morning practices ? which will carry over into Tuesday and Wednesday preparations during the season ? with Thursday’s during the preseason to feature two-a-day practice sessions.
Overall, second-year head coach Dennis Wagner was pleased with the opening day of practice, but continued to stress to the players the importance of making improvements every day.
“It was great to be back around out guys in coaching and playing football,” said Wagner following the near 150-minute, on-field session. “For the next two weeks, all we do is play football. There is no school, there are no distractions ? we’re here to play football. We need these next two weeks to get better, and to get our offense, defense and special teams installed.”
A combined 87 players dressed in jerseys, shorts and helmets only hit the turf early Saturday morning with stretching and pat-and-go sessions to get loosened up. Each position coach spent time working individually with their respective student-athletes before the units came together as an offense and defense for full-speed, yet no contact, practice.
The team concluded practice with varying distance wind sprints, including dashes of 10, 20, 30 and 40 yards, down-and-back.
“Everyone reported in shape and that is a tribute to our guys and the job that Coach (Brad) Ohrt and his strength and conditioning staff did during the off-season and summer. You can see it already in our first day of practice,” added Wagner.
Three players were held out of or were limited in Saturday’s workout including running back Jayson Williams, who is continuing to come back from a season-ending knee injury a season ago, saw limited repetitions; wide receiver Andrerius Thomas, who is nursing a groin injury and freshman quarterback Ryan World, who is getting over a bout of pneumonia, were held out.
Red-shirt sophomore Zack Jaynes, who started six games under center a season ago and enters camp as the number one signal caller, took the majority of the snaps with the first-team offensive unit. Red-shirt freshman Jonathan Efird and junior transfer Colby McCoy split snaps with the second team, while true freshman ? and Asheville native ? Randy Pressley worked primarily with the third squad in his first collegiate practice.
The team will continue its preseason preparation with alternating weight room sessions, offense and defense, combined with position, unit and overall team meetings. For the second-straight year, Wagner will use evening team meetings to allow special invited guest speakers from the Western Carolina campus community and various on-campus departments to talk with the squad in helping gear up for the season.
Western Carolina will again hit the practice field on Sunday morning. As a reminder of the WCU Football policy, all practice sessions are closed to the public unless special permission is granted through the Western Carolina Media Relations or Catamount Football office. Individuals who are granted permission to attend practice are reminded to remain in the stadium seating area and not be on the field level.
Fall Camp Practice #3
Eagles hit the field in shoulder pads
STATESBORO, Ga. - Day three of Georgia Southern's fall camp meant the football team hit the practice fields in shoulder pads and helmets for the first time. Friday (Aug. 7) also marked the final split squad practice. The Eagles' Saturday morning session will be the first time all 90 players will be on the field practicing at the same time.
According to third-year head coach Chris Hatcher, he and his staff accomplished what they wanted to during the split sessions, finding out more about which players could be ready on the night of September 5th.
"We found out right now who we think is going to be ready to play. I say going to be to ready to play because we're projecting that after a few more weeks of practice some of these young guys will be able to step in and help us. We've identified a few guys that right now may not be quite ready to play yet; time will tell. But we feel real good about the team," said Hatcher. "Again they're working hard, they got a bad case of the wants and we're excited about the opportunity we have this season to get this program back on track."
For the third straight day, the heat index hit triple digits so the Eagles also got used to wearing pads in the heat.
"We had good work again (today). It was still a pretty light day even though we put the shoulder pads on, it was just a day to get more accustomed to the heat wearing pads. We'll pick up the intensity a little bit more tomorrow and Sunday will be our first time we really get after it live ones on ones," said Hatcher. "We didn't really have too much of a lull which is a good sign. It was hot and again it takes a little bit of getting used to when you put the shoulder pads on. So that was what today was about, tomorrow will be a little bit the same and then Sunday we will be pretty much accustomed to having the gear on and we'll be ready to go."
Many of the Eagles spent the summer on campus participating in voluntary workouts. Going through drills during those summer afternoons has helped the team adjust to the elements of fall camp.
"The summer workouts are huge. The guys that were here this summer you can definitely tell are in better shape than the handful of guys that went home throughout the course of the summer. Getting used to the heat is a big thing, and that's one reason we like to practice in the afternoon," said Hatcher. "Of course we have all the precautions that you need when it's like this. We've got a great training staff, so we're looking forward to really having a good camp. In our opinion, camp starts tomorrow."
Bulldog Football Fall Camp in Action
Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel Football kicked off fall camp with the first official practice at the Maybank Triplets Practice Facility at Willson Field on Friday at 8 a.m.
Bulldog fans came out to get an early look at what many anticipate to be an exciting season for Bulldog Football. The squad, led by fifth-year head coach Kevin Higgins, returns 33 lettermen, including 15 starters, and 19 freshmen.
"It was a good first day today. One of the things that has really been impressive with this group really started with cadre," Higgins said referring to the military training period for new cadets on campus. "Many of our football players were in a leadership role during cadre and it's neat to watch those guys interact and help get our younger guys acclimated to the Corps. To me that was leadership and those guys have carried those skills over to the field.
"Certainly we are farther ahead when you look at our skilled guys on both sides of the ball," Higgins added. "They did a lot of stepping up during the summer time and another year of growing up means an awful lot."
Friday's practice welcomed comfortable temperatures in dry conditions and according to Higgins one could not ask for a better first day. No injuries were reported for the three-hour workout.
ASU Football Fall Camp Report: Saturday, August 8
BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University football's annual Media Day activities headlined the second day of fall camp on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
Approximately 40 media personnel, representing the state's biggest markets (Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point and Asheville) as well as local areas such as Boone, Hickory, Avery County and the Tri-Cities, convened at The Rock to interview, videotape and photograph the 2009 Mountaineers.
In addition to the slew of interviews, the Apps posed for countless promotional photographs and videos throughout the morning, including graphics to be shown during the season on Kidd Brewer Stadium's AppVision videoboard and the official 2009 team photo.
The team photograph did include All-America quarterback Armanti Edwards, who spoke to reporters for the first time about Wednesday's accident that led to a foot injury that will cause the 2008 Walter Payton Award winner to miss 2-4 weeks of practice.
The event concluded with a luncheon, in which head coach Jerry Moore, defensive coordinator John Wiley and offensive coaches Shawn Elliott, Brad Glenn and Chris Moore fielded questions from the assembled media. For quotes from the luncheon, click HERE.
Saturday also featured the Appalachian ISP Sports Network's first-ever Media Day special, a two-hour video-streamed broadcast that included live interviews with ASU players, coaches and special guests, as well as pre-produced features and analysis from the Appalachian ISP Sports Network football crew of David Jackson, Steve Brown, Randy Jackson and Tim Sparks. The broadcast can now be viewed on demand by GoASU TV premium subscribers by clicking on the link at the top of the page.
Samford Football Continues Fall Practice Sunday
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about two hours in shells Sunday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs will go in full pads for the first time Monday morning.
Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said Sunday's practice wasn't as sharp as he would have liked.
"It was a little ragged today," Sullivan said. "It was hot, and we had Picture Day, which was a little bit of a distraction."
Sullivan added that he did see some positives from Sunday's workout, the fourth practice of fall camp for the Bulldogs.
"I did see some good things, though," Sullivan said. "I thought DeMarcus Covington had a good day, as did Bryce Smith. They are trying to show some leadership."
The Bulldogs battled high temperatures for the fourth day in a row, but Sullivan said the team has handled it well.
"We've just had a couple who have gone down," Sullivan said. "But, overall, we are in good condition."
Sullivan said he is looking forward to seeing the team practice in full pads for the first time Monday morning.
"Tomorrow will be big," Sullivan said. "They are a little sore right now, but we have to get them ready to go tomorrow."
Monday morning's full-pad practice is scheduled for 9 a.m. The team's first two-a-day workouts will be Tuesday, with practices scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in full pads, and 4 p.m. in shorts and helmets.
Samford opens the 2009 season on Saturday, Aug. 5, when the Bulldogs travel to Orlando, Fla., to take on the UCF Knights. The game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. (CT) start from Bright House Networks Stadium.
Samford Football Practices In Shells Saturday
Practice Photo Gallery
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about two hours Saturday morning at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs practiced in shells for the first time, after spending the first two days of fall camp in shorts and helmets.
Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said there were some bright spots, but the team needs to be more consistent.
"It's just the natural progression of putting on shoulder pads and shorts (before going into full pads)," Sullivan said. "We got to bump around a little, and it was hot. I saw some good things, but there wasn't a whole lot of consistency, but it's early in practice and there are some things we have to work on. Hopefully we will be better tomorrow afternoon."
Sullivan said he has liked the way his players have worked so far through the first three practices of the season.
"I think all of them have worked hard," Sullivan said. "We've gotten really good leadership. (Receiver) DeMarcus Covington has done a good job for us. (Linebacker) Bryce Smith has done well. Most all of the big lineman have been here this summer and are in good shape, and that is a positive."
Sullivan added that returning quarterback Dustin Taliaferro, who was named the Southern Conference's Freshman of the Year last year, has shown some improvement after going through last season and spring practice as the team's starter.
"Dustin has played a lot for us," Sullivan said. "This time last year, he wasn't even our starter and hadn't played a down. But now, he's been through a spring and he has a ways to go without any question, but he has ability and he is playing with a lot of confidence. Our team has confidence in him and that is a big step. He will just get better as time goes on."
The Bulldogs will practice again Sunday in shells at 3:30 p.m., following the team's annual Photo Day, which begins at 12:30 p.m. Samford's first day in full pads will be Monday at 9 a.m.
Sullivan Praises Defense After Second Practice Of Fall Season
Practice Photo Gallery
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about two hours in shorts and helmets Friday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The practice was the second of the fall for the Bulldogs.
Samford head coach Pat Sullivan praised the Bulldogs' defense for its work during Friday's workout.
"I thought the defense was a little sharper today than the offense," Sullivan said. "They are a little bit ahead and they bounced around pretty well today."
Sullivan pointed out a few individuals who caught his eye in the second practice of the fall season.
"I saw (sophomore safety) Corey White make some nice plays," Sullivan said. "I think both of our kickers (Bob Hooper and Cameron Yaw) are doing a pretty good job of kicking the ball
Both of the Bulldogs' first two practices have been on shorts and helmets. Sullivan said the early practices without pads help the players get used to practicing again before putting on pads.
"It's just getting back in the flow of things," Sullivan said. "It also gives us a chance to get the new guys in here and to let them get a feel for things. It's just a matter of getting back to the fundamentals, because it has been a long time since we've practiced with us having spring so early this year."
Saturday's practice will be Samford's first in shells this season. The practice is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Seibert Stadium.
"Once we get in shells tomorrow, we will have some more things we can do," Sullivan said. "We will be able to do a few more things than we could in just shorts and helmets."
After Saturday's practice, the Bulldogs will also work out in shells on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Samford's first day in full pads will be Monday at 9 a.m.