Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Preseason Report #3
8/12/2003 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2003
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BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY PRESEASON FOOTBALL CAMP REPORT #3
COACH LANDIS IN FAVOR OF NCAA PRESEASON PRACTICE RULE CHANGES
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- With the new NCAA regulations for football preseason practices being mandated this season, Monday, August 11, marked the first two-a-day practices for the 2003 Bison squad this year. Established to try to cut back on heat related injuries, the new rules require a team to practice only once a day for the first five days, before the squad is allowed to head into two-a-day practices.
Once the two-a-days begin, the team may not practice twice in one day on two consecutive days, setting up a 2-1, 2-1 practice format.
At this point in the preseason, Bucknell head coach Tim Landis is in favor of the new system. "The added rest the players are getting with the new NCAA practice system has been excellent," said Landis. "It's allowed the guys to ease into the two-a-days. One thing I anticipated with this new system is the players having more time between practices to recuperate and get fluids in them, which is very important and has helped us battle this hot weather."
FIRST TWO-A-DAY PRACTICE A SUCCESS
Monday, August 11, marked the first two-a-day practice for the Bison in the 2003 preseason. Thanks to a rainy day, heat did not play a huge factor on the first multiple practice day. With the next two-a-day taking place on Wednesday, August 13, a day slated to get as warm as 84 degrees with 76% humidity, coach Landis realizes not all of the practices will be as comfortable as Monday's.
One method being used to help fight the heat is practicing in full pads in the morning session, and limiting gear to half pads in the afternoon. "The fact of the matter is, it's going to be hot on August 30 (Bucknell's first game), so we have to get used to that," commented coach Landis. "But, we also have to be smart about it, getting the guys plenty of water breaks."
MORE BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY INFORMATION
The 2003 Bucknell Football Media Day has been scheduled for Monday, August 18, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The event will take place on the southernmost end of the football practice field. Head Coach Tim Landis and his staff will be present and available for one-on-one interviews, as well as select players. Please contact the Office of Athletic Communications if you wish to attend the event.
SATURDAY SCRIMMAGE SAYS A LOT ABOUT DUQUESNE GAME
Bucknell's first intrasquad scrimmage is slated for Saturday, August 16. Coach Landis and his staff are planning to use that scrimmage to evaluate which players are ready to step on the field and help the Bison defeat Duquesne in the season-opener on August 30.
"What we're doing right now is getting a lot of players repetitions, getting to look at a lot of different people, and that will culminate with the scrimmage," said Landis. "We're going to take a real hard look at that scrimmage, and when we meet as a coaching staff on Sunday, we're going to have to start pinning down who it is that will help us beat Duquesne."
The final two weeks of practice will then be used to focus on the Dukes, while the first two were used as more of an acclimation time, helping the players understand their teammates and learn the system.
SENIOR CLASS, SEVERAL UNDERCLASSMEN, EMERGING AS LEADERS
Coach Landis has noted that the entire senior class has proven its leadership abilities this preseason, helping to set the tone for successful practices. Some other players who have emerged as leaders are juniors Daris Wilson (Kenner, La./Archbishop Rummel) and Kevin Ransome (Bear, Del./Christiana). Wilson is doing a solid job at quarterback, especially in the huddle, after switching from wide receiver and punt returner a year ago. Ransome brings talent, in addition to natural leadership abilities, to the defensive side of the ball.
FRESHMEN BOCCELLA AND CORTEZ TURNING HEADS
A week into the preseason, two freshmen standing out among the rookies are Michael Boccella (Dunmore, Pa./Dunmore) and Ed Cortez (Reno, Nev./Robert McQueen).
"Boccella, on the offensive line, seems to be stepping up as one of the leaders of the freshmen class," said Landis. "And Cortez has come out and really shown the ability to compete right away at the running back position."
TWO INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGES HIGHLIGHT CAMP SCHEDULE
Bucknell will play two intrasquad scrimmages during the preseason as it prepares for it season-opener with Duquesne on August 30 at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The first will take place on Saturday, August 16, during the 2:30 p.m. practice session, while the second is scheduled for Saturday, August 23 at 3:15 p.m.
