ELON, N.C. – Coming off of its first scrimmage of the fall, Elon worked out for just under two hours in upper pads on an overcast Sunday afternoon on the Hunt and Tucker Fields for the 18th session of the 2008 Phoenix preseason football practice schedule.
“We tried to make some corrections from last night’s scrimmage and also focus on some situations that need to be covered before we get into our first game,” Elon mentor Pete Lembo said. “We also took some time to work on some fundamentals, including switching sides of the ball as we always try to cover every preseason.”
With the switching, the defensive players worked on ball security in case they recover a fumble or come up with an interception while the offensive players worked on tackling and stripping in case they are forced into a defensive role following a turnover.
The Phoenix conducted two team periods – one focusing on the blitz and one concentrating on the two-minute drill – as well as two pass skeletons. The special teams worked on punts, PAT/field goals and kickoff coverage.
“I thought that our offensive skill guys had a pretty good day,” Lembo said. “(Sophomore quarterback) Scott Riddle had a solid day throwing the football and several wide receivers stood out like (senior) Charles Ball and (sophomore) Lance Camp. Our first offensive line has been pretty steady throughout preseason camp and today was no exception.”
The players wrapped up the session early to prepare for their third annual football alumni barbecue at Rhodes Stadium. The event offers former Elon players the opportunity to return to the campus and become familiar with the current Phoenix players.
Elon will return to the Hunt and Tucker Fields at 8 a.m. Monday for the 19th session of the 2008 Phoenix preseason football practice schedule. All sessions are open to the public and fans are encouraged to attend.
Tickets for individual games went on sale on August 1. Individuals wishing to purchase tickets and inquire about a parking pass are encouraged to do so at www.elonphoenix.com or by calling (336) 278-6750.
Season tickets for priority bleacher back seats are being 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 reserved bleacher and grass seats are $15.
Elon ended up 17th in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision according to College Sporting News’ 2007 Gridiron Power Index. The Phoenix finished 2007 ranked 23rd nationally in both the FCS Coaches' poll and The Sports Network's poll.
Recently picked second in the Southern Conference preseason polls by both the league’s coaches and media, Elon has also been ranked among the country’s top FCS teams in the preseason polls announced this summer by USA Today Sports Weekly (No. 8), The Sporting News (No. 12), Any Given Saturday (No. 15), SME Network Broadcasters (No. 15), Lindy’s (No. 17) and Phil Steele (No. 17).
The 2008 campaign begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 30 when Richmond visits Rhodes Stadium. The Spiders finished the 2007 season ranked No. 4 in the FCS Coaches’ poll and No. 5 in The Sports Network’s poll after fashioning an 11-3 record on their way to claiming a Colonial Athletic Association championship and a semifinal appearance in the FCS playoffs.
2008 Elon Phoenix Preseason Practice Schedule
1.) 2:45 p.m. Sunday, August 3 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
2.) 2:15 p.m. Monday, August 4 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
3.) 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, August 5 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
4.) 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 6 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
5.) 2:15 p.m. Thursday, August 7 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
6.) 2:15 p.m. Friday, August 8 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
7.) 8:00 a.m. Saturday, August 9 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
8.) 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 9 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
9.) 2:15 p.m. Sunday, August 10 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
10.) 8:00 a.m. Monday, August 11 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
11.) 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 11 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
12.) 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 13 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
13.) 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 13 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
14.) 2:15 p.m. Thursday, August 14 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
15.) 8:00 a.m. Friday, August 15 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
16.) 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 15 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
17.) 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 16 – Rhodes Stadium
18.) 2:15 p.m. Sunday, August 17 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
19.) 8:00 a.m. Monday, August 18 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
20.) 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 18 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
21.) 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, August 20 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
22.) 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 21 – Rhodes Stadium
23.) 2:15 p.m. Friday, August 22 – Hunt Field/Tucker Field
24.) 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 23 – Rhodes Stadium –ELON–
