Spring Practice Report (Day 7) -- Time to Scrimmage
Saturday will mark the first day where actual game officials will be in attendance during the spring session. Head coach expects to run 50 plays in the scrimmage, but if you know Riley you can count on a few more. Expect the scrimmage to start around 11:30 a.m. and if the weather holds it will likely be at the Tommy Prothro Football Complex. Practice will start at 10:30 a.m.
“I’m really looking forward to having guys finish plays,” Riley said of the scrimmage. He also mentioned that you won’t see a lot of first team guys after the initial drive.
Several Beavers remain out of spring practice, including linebacker , defensive end and wide receivers Matt Sieverson and . Receivers and , cornerback and linebacker also did not practice – all due to injuries, except for Johnson who had family obligations. Powers did his best impression of a coach being right in the middle of the play-calling and formations.
Junior receivers Damola Adeniji and made some big plays in their absences. The Beaver secondary had a better day than Wednesday making several deflections, and safety made an interception in the “team” practice portion.
Several former Beavers were in attendance today, including Tim Sim, Jared Cornell, and .
If you haven’t heard there are several new rules that will be implemented for the 2007 season, the most interesting will be on kickoffs where the ball will be placed on the 30-yard line, like the NFL, instead pf the 35-yard line.
“It depends on what side of the ball you are on,” first-year special teams coordinator Dave Ungerer said when asked about the rule. “It will be really exciting on the returns, not so much for me on the kickoffs.”
A couple of Beavers were working on long snaps after practice today, mainly linebacker and defensive end . Beaver coaches are looking for a reserve in case of an injury this season.
“This was a really good practice, especially in shorts (no pads Friday),” Riley said addressing the team. “Great enthusiasm, great effort – a lot of good work. Don’t settle; do not settle!”
Some very interesting academic information from today – 11 Beavers on the team this fall will have completed their work for a bachelor’s degree in either December or March of 2008. Quarterback is one of those 11; in fact his day starts at 6:30 a.m. with a three-hour internship at a local engineering firm.
If you haven’t seen the exciting announcement of the new Beaver flagship radio station in
Remember tickets are on sale for the annual Spring Game (April 28), sponsored by Azumano Travel. The event will begin with the Samaritan Health Services autograph session immediately prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff. For Spring Game tickets ($5) please visit Gill Coliseum or purchase the day of the contest. The will be open this SATURDAY from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
