Fall Camp Practice #11
8/13/2009 10:10:00 PM | Football
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.
