ELON, N.C. – Back in uppers only after spending three practices in full pads, the Phoenix returned to the Hunt and Tucker Fields on a warm and overcast Friday afternoon for the seventh session of the 2008 Elon spring football practice schedule.
“One of the things I believe strongly in is that we need to be able to practice at full speed, at a good, ‘thud’ tempo,” Phoenix mentor Pete Lembo said. “If our kids prove to me that we can do that in uppers, then we’ll practice in uppers more often. That’s a little test of their maturity, but it’s also a test of their athleticism, being to go full speed and stay off of the ground.”
The session featured two team periods – third-down scenarios (third-and-four, third-and-six and third-and-eight) and red-zone situations (inside the 20-yard line with field goals). In addition to field goals, the special teams spent time working on punt protection and kickoff coverage. The players also conducted an inside run drill and two pass skeleton segments.
“The defense finished strong today,” Lembo said. “Those players did a really nice job in the red zone at the end of practice. They played very hard and flew around to the football really well. Converted fullback-turned-linebacker Travis Greene continues to make plays for us over there. He seems to be getting a grasp of the system, which is good to see.”
Safety Cameron McGlenn reeled in another interception while cornerback Terell Wilson made some key plays. On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Sean Jeffcoat returned to the lineup after nursing a hamstring injury and made a noticeable difference. Wide receiver Lance Camp, quarterback Donny Kirby and tailback Brandon Newsome all turned in solid sessions.
The players will again don full pads when they return to the Hunt and Tucker Fields for the spring’s eighth session at 10 a.m. Saturday. All practices (see the schedule below) are open to the public. All times and dates are subject to change due to weather conditions. Please check with ElonPhoenix.com for possible schedule changes.
Season ticket renewal information for the 2008 campaign will be mailed to 2007 season ticket holders on April 1. Individuals wishing to purchase tickets are encouraged to contact the Elon Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 278-6750. As a reminder to current season ticket holders, renewals are due into the Elon Athletics Ticket Office by June 1. Tickets for individual games will be available Aug. 1.
Season tickets for priority bleacher back seats are sold for $100 each, faculty/staff priority bleacher back seats are $50, reserved bleacher seats are $70 and faculty/staff reserved bleacher seats are $35. Individual tickets for priority bleacher back seats are $20 and reserved bleacher and grass seats are $15.
Powered by victories over then-No. 6 Wofford, then-No. 21 Georgia Southern and eventual Big South Conference champion Liberty, the Phoenix (7-4 overall, 4-3/Tied-3rd SoCon) finished 2007 ranked 23rd nationally in both the FCS Coaches' poll and The Sports Network's poll. Elon placed second in the country in passing offense, 10th in scoring offense, 16th in passing efficiency and 19th in total offense.
Remaining 2008 Phoenix Spring Football Practice Schedule
10 a.m. Saturday, April 12 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
4:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 15 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
4:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
4:15 p.m. Friday, April 18 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
10 a.m. Saturday, April 19 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
4:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
4:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
3 p.m. Saturday, April 26 – SPRING GAME – Rhodes Stadium – ELON –
