Paladins Complete First Day In Full Pads
Offensive Line Shines In 30-Play Scrimmage
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman football's first day in full pads on Thursday generated its share of positive results according to head coach Bobby Lamb.
"We had a pretty productive day," said Lamb following the two and half hour session. "We covered a lot of areas and had our first 11-on-11 work of the preseason. Overall, I saw a lot of positives."
One of the early highlights of the afternoon practice was a 10-minute one-on-one blocking and tackling session, known as the "spider drill," which pits a runner behind a stacked line of blockers going face up against four defenders within a tightly defined running area.
"There was a lot of juice and enthusiasm in the spider drill, and some guys were really getting after it. I thought the offensive linemen dominated the defensive linemen for the most part, but there was some good hitting on both sides."
Earning mention for stellar work in the drill were offensive tackle Ryan Lee and guard Ryan Storms. On the defensive side linebackers Kadarron Anderson, Chris Wiley, and Rick Furman were cited along with rovers Max Lerner and Greg Worthy.
Special teams work included time on field goal and field goal block teams and punt team.
"Some of our young guys put some pressure on our punters. We always try to find out early who might can help up on special teams."
In addition the Paladins covered the sprint out game on offense and zone blitz on defense.
Thursday's workout concluded with a 30-play, 11-on-11 scrimmage that again saw the offensive line register stellar play.
"I thought Ryan Lee came off the ball well, and (guards) Tyler Haynes and Heath Cockburn looked real solid and consistent. Tersoo Uhaa and Mike Brown also had some good runs."
Furman's two top receivers in the scrimmage included Sederrik Cunningham, who recorded a pair of receptions, and David Hendrix, who hauled in reception covering approximately 40 yards.
The Paladins are scheduled to practice twice tomorrow at 8:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
GSU Fall Camp Practice #11
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern is nearing the end of fall camp, working out for two and a half hours on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 13) in preparation for the 2009 season and opener on September 5th at Paulson Stadium against Albany (N.Y.).
Thursday also marked the first time in three days inclement weather did not hinder any practice plans. The streak of triple-digit heat index did continue as the index reached 102 during the afternoon session. Prior to Tuesday's lightning delay the hottest index of fall camp was registered at 112.
During the team scrimmage session at the end of practice, junior quarterback Kyle Collins threw touchdown passes of more than 50 yards each on consecutive plays, the first to Jamere Valentine then another to Brandon Nolley. Collins also connected on a TD with J.J. Wilcox. Other highlights from the scrimmage: Harland Bower recorded two sacks... Earlier in the session Nolley caught a Collins pass, shook off two tacklers and scored... Hudson Presume, Tavaris Williams, Christian Jordan and Charwel Brown all recorded a sack... Kyle Oehlbeck intercepted a pass... Josh Rowe laid a hit on a receiver and broke up a pass... Wilcox made an impressive catch and run after breaking three tackles.
Head coach Chris Hatcher continues to be pleased with the progression in fall camp.
"All in all things have been going good. We aren't anywhere we need to be, I think sometimes we peak a little too soon. This camp the defense has not gone against the offense as much because of all the young players, (focusing on) just to get them really good at our fundamentals and techniques. So we're starting to pick that up going a little bit more against each other. There are some battles to be decided but we have some good competition out there right now," said Hatcher.
With only two scheduled practices left in fall camp and classes beginning in four days, Hatcher and his staff are also working on getting the student-athletes ready for another semester of classes.
"The big thing when you go out of camp into school work, the grind of going to class, being up all day, having to balance the academics with the football... that's a tough adjustment period especially for a lot of the young players. You have to be really careful not to wear them out the first couple of weeks."
The team will return to practice Friday morning (Aug. 13) for their final two-a-day, 7:30-10 a.m. followed by 5:45-8:15 p.m.
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.
NEW FACES ON DEFENSIVE LINE: Georgia Southern lost three senior starters on the defensive line last year - Dakota Walker who turned in an Honorable Mention All-America campaign and All-Southern Conference performers Larry Beard and Damon Suggs.
Freshman Brent Russell actually started in the opener last year at Georgia before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He is back to 100 percent and will challenge for a starting role. Senior Kerry Bonds is looking to recover from a knee injury that kept him out of most of 2008. Senior defensive end Harland Bower has settled into that position after making the transition from linebacker.
Seniors Markeith Wylie (12 tackles, 2.5 TFL) and Charwel Brown, true-freshmen Javon Mention and Willie Burden along with transfers Neil Harrell and Brandon Lampkin are all looking to see time on the field. Sophomore Roderick Tinsley (five tackles) saw action as a true-freshman but suffered a foot injury in camp and should return around the time of the season-opener.
FALL CAMP PRACTICE TIMES
Friday, August 14: 7:30-10 a.m.; 5:45-8:15 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.
Samford Football Practices Twice Thursday
The Bulldogs practiced in full pads Thursday morning and in shells in the afternoon
Practice Photo Gallery
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced twice Thursday. The Bulldogs practiced in full pads in the morning and in shells in the afternoon at Seibert Stadium.
Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said he saw some improvement in Thursday's workouts.
"This morning we went in full pads again and had a good two-hour practice," Sullivan said. "I thought they bounced back well this morning and had a good practice."
"This afternoon we had a good learning practice," Sullivan said. "We were able to get some things in that we wanted to concentrate on. I thought it was a very solid practice."
Sullivan pointed out a couple of players who caught his eye during Thursday's two practices.
"Jacobi Rodriguez has had a good last day or two," Sullivan said. "Jacquez Gray had been doing well too. I've been really pleased with Jacquez."
Sullivan said, for the most part, the Bulldogs have been able to avoid serious injuries so far during fall camp.
"I've been pleased with it so far," Sullivan said. "This time of year, you always worry about the nicks and bruises and when you will get the players back. We haven't lost anyone yet. Keith Shoulders did hurt his shoulder, but we are hoping we can rehab it and get him back. Other than that, right now we are doing well."
Samford will practice again Friday morning at 9 a.m. in full pads. The Bulldogs' first scrimmage of the fall will be Saturday morning, also at 9 a.m. at Seibert Stadium.
Fall Practice Report #3: Catamount Football in Full Pads, First Two-a-Day Practice
Thursday morning featured a 23-session practice, the first of two on the day
Thursday's Football Practice Photo Gallery
Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina Catamount football team held the first half of its first scheduled two-a-day practice on an overcast and mild Thursday morning on the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. The 23-session workout lasted just under two and a half hours, with the second practice of the twin bill slated for 4:00 pm on Thursday afternoon.
The morning session was the first in full pads for Western this preseason, with the second session featuring half pads with the players wearing thigh pads under their workout shorts.
WCU will hold four additional two-a-day practices for five all told starting this Saturday, continuing with two practices on Tuesday, Thursday and the following Saturday next week.
Practice included positional work with the offense and defense again coming together as an offense and defense for full-speed, limited contact, practice. The squad worked through situational drills utilizing down-and-distance with the chains. The team also worked through several special teams drills including punt coverage and point-after-touchdown kicks, rotating through the three placekickers on roster - Blake Bostic, Mark Sides and Leo Gamez.
Five players were held out of full practice on Thursday, mostly for precautionary reasons. Robert Peele (knee) and Jayson Williams (knee), were restricted as both are coming off of off-season knee surgeries; Eric Robinson (concussion); Ryan World (pneumonia); and Marquel Pittman (hamstring) were all limited or held out on Monday.
Andrerius Thomas, who has been nursing a groin injury through the preseason, was suited up and back in action during the morning practice.
Red-shirt sophomore quarterback Zack Jaynes continued to take the majority of the snaps with the first team offense, while true freshman Randy Pressley stepped up to take the most reps with the second team, splitting time with red-shirt freshman Jonathan Efird and junior transfer Colby McCoy.
Fall practice continues on Thursday evening, and in accordance with NCAA regulations, will hold one session on Friday. The squad will work through another two-a-day on Saturday, with a situational scrimmage session scheduled as one of the sessions.
ASU Football Fall Camp Report: Thursday, August 13
BOONE, N.C. ? For the first time since practice began last Friday, weather was a factor when Appalachian State University football hit the field on Thursday afternoon.
With heavy rain pounding the ASU campus near the start of practice, the Mountaineers held the first half of the two-hour-and-45-minute workout in the Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility, before moving to the Kidd Brewer Stadium turf after the skies cleared. Raindrops fell periodically after the Apps moved outdoors but never at more than a sprinkle, which allowed them to remain outside for the duration of practice.
After the first two-a-day session of the year on Wednesday, Appalachian held a less physical workout on Thursday with more of a focus on fundamentals and schemes. ASU practiced in full pads and contact was live in the trenches but, for the most part, ball carriers were just wrapped up by would-be tacklers instead of being brought to the ground.
Despite the scaled-back hitting, the Mountaineers still conducted 20 minutes of 11-on-11 work near the end of practice.
The offensive play of the day and perhaps of the year to date came late in afternoon when tight end Brad Hardee made a one-handed grab of an over-the-shoulder pass from DeAndre Presley, despite blanket coverage from all-America linebacker Jacque Roman. After making the circus catch, Hardee managed to keep his balance and out-race Roman for a 35-yard touchdown, drawing oohs and aahs from players on both sides of the ball.
On defense, the afternoon’s standout play came from true freshman linebacker Michael Frazier, who leveled junior running back Devin Radford just as Radford received an option pitch from quarterback Travaris Cadet deep in the offensive backfield. To his credit, the 5-9, 190-pound Radford held onto the ball and popped right up after the vicious hit.
Immediately following practice, head coach Jerry Moore appeared on the "World's Longest College Football Preview Show" on ESPN Radio 99.9 FM The Fan in Raleigh. If/when audio becomes available, a link will be available at GoASU.com.
It’s back to two-a-days on Friday for the Mountaineers, as they’ll practice in the morning and afternoon.
The Citadel Football Fall Camp Report: Day 6
Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel Football returned to the gridiron for day six of fall camp on Thursday at the Maybank Triplets Practice Facility at Willson Field.
The Bulldogs were welcomed by cooler temperatures and an overcast for their first of four two-a-days. Each session went for two hours, the first at 8 a.m. and the second at 3:15, and there were no reported injuries.
"Today was our first day of double-sessions and our guys handled it extremely well. I keep looking back to the summer and the conditioning that they did and our guys are giving tremendous effort on the field, which is half the battle," said Bulldog Head Coach Kevin Higgins.
The Bulldogs hit the field for several live drills on Thursday. According to Higgins the defense looks very good up front.
"We're bigger. We're stronger. Guys are moving extremely well. That's going to give us an opportunity to do some different things with that group," Higgins added.
The team also had the opportunity to get some thee-on-three work in, while also running some live scrimmage situations with the younger players. On special teams, there continues to be work on techniques for punt returns, while taking a look at kickoff coverage as well.
Mel Capers, Scott Harward and Sherrod Croom who all had mild injuries on Monday have all returned to practice full speed.
The Citadel will return to the practice field on Friday from 8 to 11 a.m.
Elon: A Conversation With...Corey O'Shea and Jeff Allen
ELON, N.C. -- Every Thursday during Elon football’s preseason camp we will sit down with Phoenix players to get their perspective on how camp is progressing and their thoughts on the upcoming season. This week we spoke with offensive linemen Corey O’Shea and Jeff Allen. The Phoenix hits the Hunt and Tucker practice fields again on Friday afternoon at 2:15 p.m.
This is the fourth camp for both of you. How does this camp compare to the past three? Is camp easier for you now than in the past?
CO: The aches and pains of four camps are starting to add up. They last a little longer, but you just put your head down and push through it. Having been through camp, you have an idea that it’s going to be hard and physically demanding. The mental aspect is big. You know coming in that the mental side of things ? watching film, the meetings ? will be a bigger thing than you do when you’re a freshman.
JA: This year’s definitely a lot cooler outside so far. It seems like we’ve been transitioning a lot better and things have been going much smoother because we have a veteran team. We’ve been getting better work in. Film review is mostly about technique and you can really critique yourself better.
For you, is camp more of a thing to get in game shape or is it to work on techniques?
CO: So many of the guys stay around in the summer so we’re in shape. Camp is much more about the technique stuff ? how you block this guy, finding your footwork, getting your timing down.
JA: I was here this summer so I’m in shape. Camp let’s us work on the little things.
How has camp gone so far?
CO: The fact that we’re an older team has allowed us to do a lot more tweaking to make everything more efficient. The majority of us know the offense, we know what we’re doing. Now we’re focused on whether can we make it quicker and faster. We’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year.
JA: Everyone has the motivation and sense of urgency. We know we can do some good things this year. People are getting after it and are focused.
What are your personal goals for the season?
CO: I really want to meld with the other four offensive linemen. We have a chance to be a really special group.
JA: I want to look to make the all-conference team this year. As a team, we want to get in the playoffs and get a ring.
For the average fan, how can they judge the performance of the offensive line?
CO: The less they hear about us the better. The only time our name is ever called is on penalties or if we allow a sack. If they don’t know who we are then we’re doing a good job.