Football Fall Camp Report: Day 10
Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel Football was on the field twice on Tuesday for their third two-a-day of fall camp. The Bulldogs worked out at 8 a.m. and then again at 3:15 p.m. for two hours each on day 10 at the Maybank Triplets Practice Facility at Willson Field.
Bulldog Head Coach Kevin Higgins said the afternoon session went very well. The team worked on an open field tackling drill, which he said typically reveals which guys can change direction in space and which guys can tackle. Higgins said several freshmen stood out and did a nice job in that area.
"We also did a live segment, third-and-long situation, first offense against first defense and the offense fared much better in the afternoon than they have in the last couple of days. That was encouraging to see," Higgins said. "The attitude of our players is still very good. At times we've got to understand what thud means and make sure that we keep them off the ground, but they've done a good job."
On special teams, the coaching staff continues to work on kickoff returns, which continues to get better, according to Higgins.
"Kevin Hardy looks like he's going be our main kickoff return man. He's got good speed and we're hoping that he can do for the kickoff return what Andre (Roberts) has done for the punt return," Higgins added.
No injuries were reported from either practice on Tuesday. Quarterback Bart Blanchard is still out with a sprained ankle and is listed day-to-day. All-Conference offensive lineman Daniel DeHaven returned to practice on Tuesday after missing several days with an illness, while offensive lineman Jameson Bryant remains out sick.
The Bulldogs will return not practice in the morning and will hit the field at 2:15 p.m. for a three-hour afternoon practice only on Wednesday.
The Citadel will host "Meet the Bulldogs" on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. The event will be held at the Maybank Triplets Practice Facility and will consist of free food, a live scrimmage and a player and coach autograph session. The event is free and open to the public.
A Conversation With...Jay Bateman
ELON, N.C. ? Every Tuesday during the preseason, we will sit down with one of the Elon Phoenix football coaches for their take on camp, the upcoming season and what players and fans should be watching this fall. This week we sit down with fourth-year defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.
This is the fourth year on the staff for yourself, Rich Skrosky and Marc Yellock. How has that consistency helped you?
JB: I think the biggest thing is that, on defense, the kids have heard the same thing so many times. They speak the same language we do. We can talk about something we did against an opponent two years ago and they recall that easily.
You have a number of returning starters, officially nine returners. Talk a little about the number of veterans you have on this team.
JB: I look at it as 10 guys back. Brandon Ward played so many snaps last year. The SAM linebacker spot is the only place where we lost a lot of snaps. We were further along in the spring than we ever have been and we’re further along now than we were then. I’ve never had that in my career. Having that many guys back lets us focus on the little things. We can now try and take a kid from good to great. It lets us do things schematically that we couldn’t do in the past. Brian Newberry is in his third season here and was with us at Lehigh, so there’s a lot of continuity on the defensive side of the ball.
What effect does having that many veteran guys have on the younger players?
JB: Nolan (Ward) and Walker (White) are captains this year. Karlos (Sullivan) has played every meaningful snap since he’s been here. The young kids see them and know our expectations.
What do you expect to be the strength of the defense in 2009?
JB: Our depth is our biggest strength. We now have 10 kids that would have started for us our first year. These are all guys that we can count on. I also think that we are fast, experienced and have the right attitude to play defensive football. We have kids that want to be great.
Who has stood out in preseason camp so far?
JB: Andre Campbell has always had the physical tools. Now he’s starting to play with the passion we’ve been wanting to see. David Hunt has gotten bigger and stronger. Linebackers Travis Greene and Dale Riley are competing for the SAM position and both have gotten even better since the spring. In the secondary, our second line kids have given us the confidence to use them in key situations.
Your defense has improved every year and you led the SoCon in total defense in league games a year ago. What do you attribute that improvement to and do you expect more of the same this year?
JB: I think the biggest thing is that we’ve been able to get better players. When we were having to play some of these guys as freshmen, we were thinking how good they would be as juniors and seniors. These are really good kids who care and are passionate. It doesn’t matter to them who makes plays, they just want to be great. Every year you look at what was good and what was bad. We weren’t horrible at anything, but our red zone defense wan’t great. We’ll do some things to improve that. Our offense’s ability to utilize a balanced attack has also been helpful. We see more physical runs in practice and they have established longer drives in games which helps our defense play better.
In your time here you’ve had some very good play at linebacker. What is it about that position that has allowed you to do that?
JB: Chad (Nkang) was a great player. We asked a lot of Corey (Weaver) when he was here. But this group is probably the best overall group that I’ve had. Josh Jones, Lionel Shoffner are both going to be really good in this league. Brandon Wiggins has led us in tackles the last two years. Zach Henderson has done some good things and I feel great about putting him in the game. We’ve done a good job of identifying what we’re looking for in a skill set for recruits. Some of it’s just blind luck. We have a certain type of player we’re looking for at linebacker and we’re going to go after those guys no matter where they’re from or who’s recruiting them.
Defense Rebounds In Tuesday Furman Practice
Josh Lynn 38-Yard Interception Return For TD Highlights Session
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A day after being gored by the offense in red zone and goal line work, Furman's defense rebounded with an improved effort in Tuesday afternoon's practice, according to head coach Bobby Lamb.
"The defense bounced back today, showing some good competitiveness and pride," said Lamb following the two hour and 15 minute practice.
In third down and distance situational work covering 13 plays, the Furman offense claimed a narrow 7-6 advantage, but later in a two-minute offense vs. two-minute session, freshman defensive end Josh Lynn dropped into coverage and intercepted a pass, which he returned 38 yards for a touchdown, capping wins by the defense in both series.
The Paladins also conducted more 7-on-7 sessions, went full rush on field goals and extra points, and worked on kickoffs.
Redshirt freshman Will King and true freshman Ryan Culbreath earned mention for stellar play in the Paladin receiver corps while defensively, Shaun van Rensburg, taking part in only his second practice of the preseason, was singled out by Lamb for solid work.
"Will King caught everything out there today, and Ryan Culbreath continues to have a good camp. Having Shaun van Rensburg back really inspires some of our younger guys because they can see how well he rushes the passer."
All-Southern Conference rover Max Lerner also returned to action Tuesday after missing several practices following a slight concussion.
Furman will practice twice on Wednesday, at 8:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Samford Football Practices Twice Tuesday
The Bulldogs will practice again Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.
Practice Photo Gallery
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced twice Tuesday at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs practiced Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. and in the afternoon at 4 p.m., with the team working out in shells during both practices.
Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said he saw some improvement in his team during Tuesday's two workouts.
"Today was a little better," Sullivan said. "The players are tired, but they are pushing through it."
Sullivan said injuries are starting to become a concern for the Bulldogs at the midway point of preseason practice.
"We've got a couple more dinged up and that is really starting to become a concern," Sullivan said. "Hopefully, we can get some of them back. (Sophomore offensive lineman) Keith Jones hurt his knee today. (Junior offensive lineman) Jacquez (Gray) hurt his foot yesterday."
Sullivan pointed out a few players who caught his eye during the Bulldogs' two practices on Tuesday.
"I thought (sophomore quarterback) Dustin (Taliaferro) threw the ball well today," Sullivan said. "(Junior linebacker) Bryce Smith is having a heck of a camp. You can't miss (freshman defensive back) Justin Sly out there, he's gotten back and is doing a nice job. Both of our kickers (Bob Hooper and Cameron Yaw) are doing well."
The Bulldogs will practice again Wednesday morning. The practice is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at Seibert Stadium.