Eagles Start Fall Camp 2009
8/5/2009 9:56:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Football opened preseason fall camp on Wednesday (Aug. 5) with a split squad practice session. The two-hour morning session consisted of 45 Eagles - mainly newcomers - while the afternoon session that also lasted two hours was comprised of the majority of the returning players. In all, 90 players are in fall camp.
Third year head coach Chris Hatcher has traditionally started the first three days of his fall camp with split squad practices to give the newcomers more repetitions. He noted that despite a slower tempo on day one his team's eagerness was evident.
"I was very pleased with what I saw, of course we are in shorts and it's the first day where our tempo is slowed down tremendously just for the learning curve for a lot of the new guys. However, we are very eager and our guys seemed to be fired up about being outside again practicing football," said Hatcher. "I started my 10th year as a head coach today (seven years at Valdosta State, third year at Georgia Southern), so I'm a little bit more excited. And I tell you, I really like our team, I really do. They worked hard in the spring, they worked hard all summer. I really like the guys that we have out here and we're very excited about the opportunity that we have."
Wednesday marked the first of 29 scheduled practices prior to the season-opener on September 5th against Albany (N.Y.). Kickoff for the Albany (N.Y.) game is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Paulson Stadium. 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. For ticket information call 800-GSU-WINS.
KICKERS CONVERT: Last month three Eagles were named preseason All-Southern Conference, led by the Eagles' lone First Team selection in Adrian Mora. The sophomore placekicker was one of four to take reps in extra point attempts. Mora, sophomore Christopher Rogers and freshmen Graden Bozeman and Tyler Rhodes hit all their extra point attempts Wednesday. Mora led the team in scoring last year with 61 points.
NEW LOOK RECEIVING CORPS: If there is one area that true-freshmen will have ample opportunity to earn playing time, it's at wide receiver. Of the 12 receivers currently in fall camp they have combined for two catches totaling 39 yards - all by senior Garryon Taylor. Sophomore Nico Hickey played on defense and special teams last season. Junior Nick Kyles had to sit out in 2008 to meet transfer requirements. Freshman Jonathan Bryant joined the team in the spring as a grayshirt and Tyler Sumner redshirted last year.
"There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to those guys. I thought Garryon Taylor had a good day today. Jonathan Bryant looked good, Nick Kyles had a nice day. Tyler Sumner I think is better now than he was in the spring. You can tell that he's a guy that came to camp determined that he wasn't going to let anybody beat him out," said Hatcher. "Now, whether that happens or not, we'll have to wait and see. The young guys had a good practice. Again, it's the first day, and there was very limited work versus the defense, a lot of teaching just to make sure we start with a good foundation. But, all in all, I saw some really good things out of those guys."
According to sophomore quarterback Lee Chapple, he and the other quarterbacks started working out with the freshmen during individual workouts this summer.
"We got to throw with them during the summer and they look real good... They know the system, they ask questions and want to learn it fast. And when they want to learn the system fast, you build relationships, start to develop timing with everybody, and you develop that cohesiveness. The offense can get clicking."
HEAT INDEX: During the afternoon practice the heat index was around 105-110 degrees. The team, staff and fans in attendance received a break when cloud cover rolled in and the breeze picked up. A few in attendance noted the gnats were out in full force.
TWO NEWCOMERS ON DEFENSIVE LINE: Georgia Southern's defensive line needs to replace all three starters lost from last year. The Eagles welcomed two Division I FBS transfers over the summer. Junior Neil Harrell (Tampa, FL/Plant) played two seasons at Western Kentucky, seeing action in 17 career games. Sophomore Brandon Lampkin (Tucker/Tucker) redshirted his first year at Arkansas and did not record any statistics last year for the Razorbacks.
FALL TRYOUTS ANNOUNCED: Students who are interested in trying out for the Georgia Southern football team can pick up information at the Parrish Football Center on Monday, August 17th. All paperwork must be filled out prior to the tryouts on Friday, August 21. For more information contact the football office at (912) 478-5522.
FALL CAMP PRACTICE TIMES
Thursday, August 6: 2A 8:10-10 a.m.; 2B 1:10-3 p.m.
Friday, August 7: 3A 8:10-10 a.m.; 3B 1:10-3 p.m.
Saturday, August 8: 9:15-11:45 a.m.
Sunday, August 9: 2:15-4:45 p.m.
Monday, August 10: 8-10 a.m.; 2:15-4:15 p.m.; 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, August 11: 1:30-4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12: 8-10 a.m.; 2:15-4:15 p.m.; 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Thursday, August 13: 1:30-4 p.m.
Friday, August 14: 8-10 a.m.; 2:15-4:15 p.m.; 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 15: 1:30-4 p.m.
Sunday, August 16: Off
Monday, August 17: Off (First day of classes)
Day/time subject to change
