Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Continues Preseason Preparations as Classes Get Underway
8/22/2007 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2007
Football Practice Photo Gallery -- 8/22/07
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Under a heavy cloud cover, the Bucknell football team continued to prepare for its season opener with Duquesne on Wednesday afternoon despite the beginning of classes for the fall semester. With the constant rain that fell on Central Pennsylvania during the first part of the week over with, the team enjoyed a comfortable day of practice at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
The start of the fall semester signals the end of preseason camp for Bucknell, which is just 10 days away from its season opener with the Dukes.
"Camp was good, but we did experience our ups and downs," commented Bison head coach Tim Landis. "Sixty of our 94 players are freshmen or sophomores, so a lot of guys are still learning the offense. Our key is to be consistent on a daily basis and continue to get reps, especially in game-like conditions. With a young group it is fun because so much is new to them, but we also have to keep pushing our upperclassmen as well."
Much of the more than two-hour practice on Wednesday featured 11-on-11 drills as well as special teams work. Highlighting a portion of the 11-on-11 work was the play of the receivers, including Shaun Pasternack and A.J. Pompliano, who each caught a couple of passes.
Later, as the offense worked on option situations, the defense came on stronger, notably Nolan Applegate, who was involved in a number of stops.
Under the brightening lights of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, Landis, who coaches the special teams, brought the punters onto the field to conclude practice. The punt unit worked diligently on blocking schemes as the Bison punters lofted kicks down the field. A small group of them voluntarily stayed on the field for further instruction from Landis for a few minutes after the rest of the team was dismissed.
"I am pleased with the way the team came out today on the first day of classes," said Landis about the team's overall performance Wednesday. "We now have to transition into a new routine where we juggle football and academics. That's a way of life here at Bucknell. We just have to work hard to get those guys caught up."
The team will practice Thursday afternoon as it looks forward to its second intrasquad scrimmage of the preseason Friday evening.
"Friday's scrimmage will be geared toward game-like situations," explained Landis. "We want to get the clock running to both sides of the ball can get a feel for the pace of the game. There are still a number of positions up for grabs that guys are fighting for."
With the Sept. 1 opener at Duquesne on the horizon for next Saturday, the Bison coaching staff expects to have a normal game week practice schedule next week, although it will be moved up one day due to this week's Friday scrimmage.
