Fall Camp Report: Tuesday, August 12
8/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Tuesday Practice Photo Gallery
SFA Practice Report • Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Times: 9:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Periods: 18 and 16
Attire: Shells and shorts
Practice Notes:
• SFA held its first two-a-day practice on Tuesday, holding both practices on the turf at Homer Bryce Stadium.
• With the start of the second week, head coach Clint Conque began focusing practices on specific situations. The morning practice had an emphasis on red zone situations while the afternoon practice focused on the two-minute drill.
• Special teams also continued to be a major emphasis for the Lumberjacks, spending a great deal of time in the morning session working on onside kick situations. The afternoon session focused on field goal/punting formations.
Top Offensive Plays:
• SFA's offense notched three-straight touchdowns from the 20-yard line during red zone practice, including a one-handed snag from Tyler Boyd between a pair of defenders
• Senior wide receiver Marquis Mosley had a handful of big catches during the morning 11-on-11 session, breaking a handful of tackles in the process
• The longest play of the day was a 70-yard touchdown catch and run from Joe Minden to Aaron Piper, racing down the far hash
• The final play of the practice session was a diving catch from Aaron Thomas along the sideline, sandwiched between a pair of defenders but preserving a first down in the process
Top Defensive Plays
• Some key coverage from the SFA cornerbacks with Maurice Poullard, Keavon Madison and Hipolito Corporan making key stops downfield
• SFA's defensive line was able to create some havoc up front, registering a handful of "sacks" during the two-minute drill to thwart some drives
• Patrick Martin had the play of the afternoon session, making a great read on a throw and stepping in to make the key interception.
Next Practice: Wednesday, August 13 • 3:45 p.m.
Practice Q&A: Senior running back Gus Johnson
With the first week of practice now behind you, how do you think the team grew during those first practices of fall camp?
"There was definitely a lot learned. We learned what the coaches expect, learned how to practice. We were able to get the new guys on board and get them up to speed. They are picking it up pretty well. Now its just about building on those things and executing what we're being taught. Making sure we're doing things crisp."
Now that practices are starting to focus on the playbook, is this when it starts to get exciting?
"It does, because it means we're getting closer to the season. It starts to get a lot more competitive. Both the offense and the defense start working harder, because now we're battling for time on the field. This is the time when we really start going at it. Emotions get high and talking picks up. Some things get a little personal, but that's good because it shows how much they want to succeed."
Did getting a day off on Monday (courtesy of Mother Nature) help to renew everyone a little bit?
"It did. It definitely was good for our bodies to have that extra day to heal up and get over the bumps and bruises. Plus we had a lot of fun in the locker room yesterday (waiting out the weather), so that helped draw us closer together as a team. I think everyone is glad we caught a little break yesterday because now we're ready to get out here and go at it even harder today."
How have the younger running backs developed and what are the strengths they bring to this team?
"They bring excitement. Cameron (Washington) is a running back that can break it at any moment. He can look like he's stopped behind the line and he'll find a way to escape before you know it. Joshwa (West) is smooth and shifty. It's really hard to bring him down and both have been fun to watch so far."
You've got one of the all-time greatest quarterbacks in FCS history (Jeremy Moses) making the transition to coach the running backs. What different perspective does he bring to the group?
"We've learned a lot from him on how to read defenses and how to break them down. Especially when it comes to blitz pickup and route assignments, it is something that he obviously was very good at to put up the numbers he did, and he has been able to share a lot of that knowledge with us. He knows what the defense is going to do before they do it, and it has been an eye-opener for me, especially. It's been great to have him working with us."
How anxious are you to get up to Kansas and get the season going?
"Too anxious. It can't come fast enough. It's something I've been waiting for for nine months now and I'm just ready to go. Give me the football."
-SFA-
