ELON, N.C.- Dressed in full pads for the first time this spring, the Elon football team held their fourth session of spring practice on soggy field conditions at the Hunt and Tucker Fields Sunday afternoon.
“The conditions today reminded me of some days earlier in my career in the Northeast,” head coach Pete Lembo said. “The field was really soft and muddy and it was a chilly day for this time of year. However, there are some benefits to getting work done in this type of environment because you are forced to play in a good athletic position and must be very protective of the football. I was pleased with our shot gun snaps despite the weather.”
The team conducted two pass skeletons, one-on-one routes that tested the receivers and defensive backs, and an inside run drill. The special teams got work in on point after touchdown/field goals, punt protection, and kickoff coverage drills.
The practice ended with a “move the ball” scrimmage that was highlighted by an 88-yard drive by the first offense. The drive was capped off with a long touchdown pass from quarterback Scott Riddle to wide receiver Terrell Hudgins. Travis Greene and Cameron McGlenn each had an interception as the first defense stepped up to stop the first offense on their final two possessions. Greene, an accomplished special teams player for the Phoenix, has made the switch from fullback to outside linebacker this spring.
Other top performers on the offensive side of the ball were running back A.J. Harris, who had a big catch-and-run on a screen pass, tight end Matt Leddy, who made two big catches during the pass skeletons, and fullback Tim Applegate who looked very good in pass protection. Quarterback Donny Kirby also had a good day throwing the football in less than ideal conditions.
Defensively, safety Nolan Ward made a number of stops during the team period. “I was really pleased with how the front seven on defense looked in the inside drill,” added Lembo. “They were very physical and played hard.”
The players will return to the Hunt and Tucker Fields in full pads for the spring’s fifth session at 4:15pm on Tuesday. All practices (see the schedule below) are open to the public. All times and dates are subject to change due to weather conditions. Please contact the Elon Sports Information Office at (336) 278-6711 to check on 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
4:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
4:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
4:15 p.m. Friday, April 11 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
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 –
