Bucknell University Athletics
Hot Weather Greets Bucknell Football Team as Preseason Camp Gets Underway
8/10/2009 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Less than 24 hours into preseason camp, the Bucknell football team already has two practices complete. The Bison opened camp under the lights at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium Sunday night with a 90-minute session that was heavy on conditioning drills. The squad was back out on the FieldTurf Monday afternoon under a blazing sun that pushed temperatures well above 90 degrees.
Enduring the hottest day of the summer in Central Pennsylvania, the Bison took to the field 17 hours after the completion of Sunday's conditioning. The practice session was heavy on fundamentals and positional work as the offense and defense were on opposite sides of the field the majority of the two-plus hour workout.
"We were a little sluggish today, but that is probably to be expected," commented seventh-year head coach Tim Landis. "We had conditioning last night and now this heat today. We are going to have days like this during the season, but it is really the first time we have had it. The guys struggled, but I guess that's why we get 29 (practice) opportunities (before our first game)."
Even though the heat impacted practice, Landis does expect his veteran team to overcome that challenge.
"My expectations are very high and we weren't at 100 percent," said Landis, who has 28 wins in his Bison tenure. "To win football games you have to be at 100 percent. I am trying to impart on these guys that we have to lift everybody up to the same level. The guys that spent the summer here working out and a select group of others were in good shape, but there are some guys that didn't do as much as they should have this summer and they are going to struggle this first week."
With no off days until Aug. 24, Landis expects his veteran squad that features 19 seniors to continue a steep learning curve.
"You hope you don't have to spend a lot of time on getting guys in shape and can get them acclimated to football," mentioned Landis, who will see 17 returning starters take the field this fall. "With the veteran group that we have we will get them going as quickly as we can. We are really going to start getting our offensive, defensive and special teams schemes implemented so we can start grooming some of the younger guys to fill certain roles."
One of the focuses of the second half of practice was special teams, specifically punt coverage. Landis, who oversees the special teams unit, was making sure the unit was on top of things before this evening's punt coverage meeting.
Bucknell's next three practice sessions are slated for 3 p.m. Friday will be the first two-a-day practice for the Bison.
Notes: Bucknell's Aug. 9 starting date for camp was its latest since starting on the same date in 2005 ... The Bison's three new coaches - Ed Lynett, Mike O'Connor and Sam Perryman - each have two practices under their belts ... O'Connor was on the staff during spring practice ... Bucknell does not have an off day until Aug. 24 ... there are 26 days until Bucknell's season opener at Duquesne (Sept. 5) ... temperatures in the mid-80s are expected in Lewisburg the rest of the week.
