Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Preseason Report #4
8/14/2003 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 14, 2003
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BISON BATTLING HEAT AS FIRST INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGE APPROACHES
Bucknell worked out in full pads for just over two hours on Thursday, withstanding arguably the hottest day of preseason camp thus far. With temperatures reaching the low-90s and the humidity soaring, Bison head coach Tim Landis was pleased with his team's pace despite the toasty conditions.
"Our staff, along with athletic trainer Mark Keppler, went into the preseason with a very good plan for dealing with the heat," said Landis. "Being prepared, along with the new NCAA regulations has made a real difference in keeping guys healthy and refreshed. So far we have for the most part stayed away from serious injuries and dehydration."
Established in an effort to cut back on heat-related injuries, the new NCAA rules require a team to practice only once a day for the first five days - called "acclimation" practices - 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. The Bison will practice twice on Friday before scrimmaging on Saturday.
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."
MIDWAY POINT OF PRESEASON APPROACHING
Saturday's scrimmage will mark the midway point of the 2003 preseason camp, and Landis is pleased with his team's progress thus far. Following the initial intrasquad scrimmage of the season, the Bison will begin to focus more closely on Duquesne - their first opponent.
"Whenever we get the chance to have two full weeks to prepare for an opponent, we will take advantage of it," said Landis. "The scrimmage will be a good litmus test to see which players can help us beat Duquesne. There are some real good battles going on out there, and I think we will learn a lot from the scrimmage."
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. 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.
BISON LIVE! AND LEWISBURG TOUCHDOWN CLUB LUNCHEONS TO CONTINUE IN 2003
Once again this fall the Bison football squad will participate in the weekly lunch meetings of the Lewisburg Touchdown Club, as well as the Bison Live! radio program. The Lewisburg Touchdown Club will again meet at 11:45 a.m. the Lewisburg Hotel on Tuesday's throughout the season, beginning on August 26. Two days later - Thursday, August 28 - will be the first installment of the third season of Bison Live!, an interactive radio program broadcast live each Thursday throughout the year. The program has a new location this year - also the Lewisburg Hotel on Market Street in downtown Lewisburg - and will feature weekly reports from Landis and his student-athletes, along with players and coaches from an array of Bucknell teams. Members of the live audience may contribute questions and win prizes throughout the evening. Bison Live! runs from 7-8 p.m. each Thursday.
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.
