Fall Camp Report: Tuesday, August 19th
8/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Tuesday, August 19th Practice Photo Gallery
SFA Practice Report – Tuesday, August 19
Time: 9:15 to 10:50 a.m.
Periods: 18
Attire: Shells and shorts
Practice Notes:
• SFA was back on the grass practice field this morning, going through an 18-period practice amidst a swarm of dragonflies
• The ‘Jacks once again concentrated on a handful of third down and red zone situations, making key plays on both sides of the ball
• SFA held just one morning practice Tuesday in order to hold its 2014 Media Day during the afternoon. The official team picture, as well as group, individual and video board shots were also taken
• The ‘Jacks will have a restful night for the first time in fall camp as Tuesday evening will be the annual Meet the ‘Jacks event, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the SFA Grand Ballroom
• SFA will hold its second scrimmage of fall camp Wednesday evening at Homer Bryce Stadium, getting underway at 6 p.m.
Offensive Notes:
• SFA’s receiving corps continues to improve its timing and synchronization with both Zach Conque and Joe Minden. Marquis Mosley, Aaron Thomas and Bryce Elkins all hauled in touchdown passes during the redzone drills
• SFA’s offensive line continues to get healthy as Jeremy Neff and Travis Wiggins have returned from minor injuries early in camp. David Dane, Byron Williams and Michael Boddie have emerged as three big forces up front
Defensive Notes:
• Improvement continues to be seen in the SFA defensive secondary. Seniors Trey Vallier, Maurice Poullard and Keavon Madison each had a number of big defensive stops on deep balls on the morning
• The SFA linebacking corps have come up solid in short yardage situations, but also continue to make key plays. Newcomer Chip Jones had another interception off a deflected ball, giving the junior a handful during fall camp
Next Practice: Wednesday, August 20 • Scrimmage #2 • 6 p.m.
Practice Q&A: Senior wide receiver Marquis Mosley
On how far the wide receivers have come since the beginning of camp:
“We’ve really grown a lot. It’s been a long process but each day we all find things we want to get better at and we keep motivating each other to do better. When you look at the growth of the group as a whole, I think we have really come a long way.”
On what coach Odems has brought to the wide receiving unit:
“He pushes us more than I’ve ever been pushed before. He pushes us to our limits. At the end of the day, he just wants to see us succeed, and that’s a good thing. Some days we may be sluggish or not feeling it – we’re hot, we’re tired and we don’t feel like practicing hard but he pushes us to our limits and makes us want to be better. It’s only made us better.”
On the leadership role the wide receivers will have to play this season:
“We know we do. We have a great offensive line, we’ve got Gus Johnson, we’ve got great quarterbacks. But at the end of the day when its crunch time, each of us across the board all want the ball. I feel like if the game came down to it, any one of us could step up and make that big play.”
On which of the younger receivers have stepped up:
“Number 11 – A.J. Jones, who transferred from Iowa – he’s been great. Darrion Ardoin, Jimmie Houston – we’ve got some great young talent. They’re learning fast, picking up the pace and the speed. They’ll be great. It’s only a matter of time.”
On embracing the senior leadership role:
“When I came in as a freshman, I had Cordell (Roberson) to look up to and he took me under his wing. I followed what he was doing to be a better receiver. As the years have gone by, I’ve tried to add some skills to my game and mirror his game. Now being a senior, I’m trying to do what he did for me and teach everything I know to the younger guys. There are going to be days where you don’t want to come out here and do what needs to be done. But I’ve been trying to show that you need to keep pushing through it, keep fighting and know that it will only make you and the team better.”
On adjusting to the new quarterbacks:
“The adjustment is coming along great. We were here all summer and all spring just working on timing so that when we came to camp, we’d already have that down and it would be crisp. I feel like being here this summer and putting in those extra hours gave us an advantage. The timing is looking great right now.”
On how excited he is to get on that plane heading to Kansas:
“I can’t wait. It’s been a long, long summer. The end is almost here. August 30th we get to finally line up against somebody else and I can’t wait.”
-SFA-
