ELON, N.C. – Back on the practice fields donning helmets without pads, Elon hit the Hunt and Tucker Fields for the second session – a two-hour-and-45-minute outing – of the 2008 Phoenix preseason football practice schedule on a toasty yet breezy Monday afternoon.
“I know the forecast said that it was supposed to be really hot today, but it was really a perfect practice day,” Elon coach Pete Lembo said. “It was hot, but we had a breeze with some sporadic cloud cover so it was just a good balance. When you’re out here only one practice a day, you want it to be a little hot out to help build some mental toughness.”
The Phoenix conducted three team periods – one with a run and play action emphasis and the other two with a pass emphasis – to go along with two pass skeleton segments and one-on-one routes between the wide receivers and the defensive backs. Meanwhile, the special teams spent their time on point-after-touchdown kicks, field goals, punting and punt block technique.
“I was really happy with the overall operation of practice today,” Lembo said. “After just one day yesterday, our new players really developed a good feel for the pace of practice and how quickly things move along. They knew where they were going and were really into it.”
Defensive back Deven Persaud hauled in an interception while defensive lineman Robert McGruder turned in a solid outing, demonstrating his pass rushing technique from his nose guard post.
“(Tailback) Brandon Newsome and (defensive back) Walker White – two guys that have been with us all three years now – obviously had a really good summer,” Lembo said. “They both look a step faster to me out here and are really giving a good effort.”
The Phoenix will return to the Hunt and Tucker Fields at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon for the third session of the 2008 Elon preseason football practice schedule. All sessions are open to the public and fans are encouraged to attend.
Tickets for individual games went on sale Friday morning. 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 priority bleacher back seats are $20 and 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–
