Throughout preseason football camp, GSEagles.com will take you on a behind-the-scenes look at different aspects of the football program that go beyond the practice field. In today's installment, we check in with defensive coordinator Scot Sloan.

Q: What does a 3-4 scheme allow you to do personnel wise on the field?
SS: The thing I like about the 3-4 is having those four linebackers as adjusters. One thing that you have to do a lot defensively is matching the numbers, so it gives you a little bit of flexibility. Only having three hands down on the line allows us to adjust to the speed of the game, having more spread offenses and what not in the country, helps us adjust a little better defensively.
 
Q: How does the mentality on the field change now that we are into camp rather than summer ball?
SS: We are still in an early training camp vibe. There is a point where you phase from early camp mentality, where it is all install, to an understanding concepts and schemes to hey we're getting ready to kickoff and play. We remind them day in and day out that we don't play this Saturday and we don't play next Saturday, so it is going to be a heavy install until we get into the season.
 
Q: Who has been your summer standout at the safety position?
SS: Shawn and Josh have done extremely well processing it and commanding the defense just like a quarterback would. Kendrick Duncan has made some plays. He has a very nice overlap on the deep ball. Jessie Liptrot has showed some things as of recent. For the younger guys it is all reps, the more reps they get the more mental training and the game starts slowing down.
 
Q: What is something that you want the safety's to pride themselves on this season?
SS: The number one thing is that we command the defense. I relate to them is that they are the quarterbacks of the defense. They have got to be vocal of their voice, assertive and reassured of themselves and their calls. The other thing is the overlap ability in heavy zone coverages. Those guys should have plenty of opportunities to get interceptions and pass breakups if they get better at being great overlapers.
 
Q: How has the first week of camp been as a whole defensively?
SS: I think we are making progress and we are still installing some things. The guys have really handled the work load well and we preached the standard is the standard, so it is good to see the development. We are going to play fast and play physical, while leveraging the football and we'll have fun. If you have a mental error you need to play fast to the ball and live to play the next play.

Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Mon., Aug. 13 No Practice
Tues., Aug. 14 (4:30-6:30 PM; Eagle Creek)
Wed., Aug. 15 (4:30-6:30 PM; Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 16 (4:30-6:30 PM; Eagle Creek)
Fri., Aug. 17 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson) † 
Sat., Aug. 18 (10 AM-12 PM; Eagle Creek) †
Sun., Aug. 19 (7 PM, Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 20 No Practice
Tues., Aug. 21 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 22 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 23 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 24 (6-8 PM, Fan Fest to follow, GS Armstrong Campus - Savannah)
Sat., Aug. 25 (TBD, TBD)

† - Scrimmage #2 will be one of these two days and will be finalized later in the week

Times and locations subject to change