Aug. 12, 2005
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins underwent their first practice in full pads Friday and set the stage for Saturday's initial scrimmage of the preseason, according to head coach Bobby Lamb.
"I thought things went pretty well today in the hottest weather of the week," said Lamb following his squad's almost two-hour session in temperatures that reached the high 90s. "We didn't hit much, but we covered a a good bit. Tomorrow morning we'll scrimmage for the first time, probably for 15 or 20 minutes at the end of practice. It will be goal line work, which is pretty intense. We should learn at lot."
Saturday morning's practice is scheduled to get underway at 8:30 a.m. The Paladins will practice in shells (shoulder pads and shorts) at 3:30 p.m. to complete their first day of two-a-days.
"We're now under three weeks away from our season opener (vs. Jacksonville State on Thursday, Sept. 1), and we've got to get a lot done between now and then," added Lamb.
Furman's Friday practice emphasized work on field goal and extra point teams and situational work, including defensive long yardage, option game, and some facets of the passing game.
Lamb praised the work of his offensive line following Friday's session.
"Our offensive line, in particular our three inside guys -- offensive guards Patrick Covington and Brian Laggis, and center Corey Stewart -- look as good at this point in the preseason as any group I remember. They remind me of Chris Stewart, Marty Priore, and Trevor Kruger, the three inside guys we had in 2001. They've played a lot of football for us and are veterans and leaders of our team. There's some competition going on a tackle and we really like the guys we have there in John Kivett and Joel Bell at right tackle and Scott Shuford and Andrew Thornburg at left tackle. Joel Bell is 6-foot-7, 302 pounds, and our biggest challenge has been finding equipment to fit him. He could be a good one for us."
Notes: Wide receivers Patrick Sprague and Garrett Inman missed Friday's practice due to mild hamstring strains. Both players should be able to return to action early next week according to head athletic trainer Phil Hedrick, who also indicated Friday that sophomore defensive end Sam Pitts would be lost for the season after sustaining both torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in Thursday's practice.
