Fall Camp Continues
8/11/2007 4:21:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Weather forced the Georgia Southern football team to reschedule their afternoon and evening practice sessions on Saturday (Aug. 11). The Eagles barely started afternoon drills before a lightning detector went off and everyone was forced into pavilion shelter.
When the team returned to the practice complex for a two hour evening session, they worked mainly on specials teams and 11-on-11 live contact drills.
Several defensive players came through with key stops. Safety Chris Covington recorded two interceptions, including one at the goal line. Linebackers Terrione Benefield and Quentin Taylor had an interception each. Tim Camp blocked a punt, broke a tackle on an impressive catch-and-run, and later caught a touchdown pass. Brett Layson made a diving catch in the endzone for a score. Jayson Foster recorded a couple of long gains, eluding several tacklers.
The two hour morning session, attended by nearly three dozen onlookers, went on as scheduled with triple-digit heat index. The team kept to a similar script as the previous practices: working on field goal and PAT kicking, position drills and some 11-on-11 work. At the end of the practice the offense and defense squared off in full contact ? the first time doing so this season. The previous morning's practice was the first in full pads.
Sunday's practice, the last official session of fall camp, is scheduled for 2:45-5 p.m. With Monday being the first day of classes, the team will take the day off and return Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
Georgia Southern opens the 2007 season on Saturday, September 8, against West Georgia with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. For ticket information call the Georgia Southern ticket office at (912) 681-0123 or 800-GSU-WINS.
PAVILION GETS FIRST WORKOUT: The new pavilion at the practice field complex, built thanks to a gift from Bill and Nancy Herring, got its first workout Saturday afternoon. Inclement weather forced the team under the roof of the new pavilion. The 3,600-square foot pavilion, including 2,300-square feet of open space which the team utilized, provided relief until head coach Chris Hatcher decided to cancel the rest of the afternoon practice and resume drills during the evening session.
Director of Athletics Sam Baker said the construction is part of a three step process. “We truly appreciate Bill and Nancy's generosity to make this possible. This is the second step in the renovation of the practice facility,” said Baker. “First was the fencing and placement of collegiate goal posts last year. The final step will be to secure a gift to artificial turf and light one of the practice fields as well as regrade and improve the drainage on the other field. The lights will assist with the loss of sun later in the fall as well as the chance to beat the early season heat.”
MEET THE EAGLES SET FOR AUGUST 18: The Georgia Southern Football program will be sponsoring a Little Eagles camp and a Meet the Eagles Day on Saturday, August 18. The Little Eagles camp will take place from 9-11 a.m. at Paulson Stadium. Registration will be from 9-9:30 a.m. As part of the camp festivities the Little Eagles will run on the field with the banner, music, PA, and the video scoreboard. Meet the Eagles Day will begin at 11 a.m. in the Bishop Field House... In the Bishop Field House, schedule cards and the 2007 Football posters will be available. In addition, GUS and the entire Georgia Southern Football team and coaching staff will sign autographs. Cheerleaders will also be on hand signing autographs, meeting and greeting the fans and selling bobblehead dolls. The Athletics Marketing Staff will hand out Chick-Fil-A coupons, sandwiches to the kids and the Chick-Fil-A cow will be in attendance. Season tickets, jerseys and football media guides will be on sale. Southern Boosters information packets will also be available.
