Tuesday, August 12, 2003

FIU Football adds new defensive wrinkle as fall practice continues

• 2003 FIU Football Schedule

he FIU Football team continued preparations for its 2003 regular season, Tuesday morning with a two-hour workout in shorts and shells at the FIU Stadium.

Expanding the playbook, head coach Don Strock and his staff stressed the 3-4 defense this morning, a formation they first dabbled with last spring. With one of last year’s starting linebackers, Dane Ireson (Elverson, Pa.) moving to a defensive end position and weak-side backer Kyle Salas (Plantation, Fla.) still out with lower back pain, last season’s starting middle linebacker Lance Preston (Hollywood/Chaminade) and a group of true freshmen prospects including Miami Norland grads Antwan Barnes and Alexander Bostic and Keyonvis Bouie (Pahokee, Fla.) have been getting plenty of work.

“Yesterday in the 4-3 defense, the young guys responded well,” said Strock. “But today’s 3-4 work seemed to catch them by surprise. It’s easy to put it up on the board and tell them where they need to be and what they need to do, but it’s more difficult when they’re actually lined up out there.

“There are some corrections we need to make, but we believe we have the people in the right positions who can play that defense.”

While it’s only been two days, Strock seems pleased, but remains cautious. “I’ve liked the work I’ve seen over the first two days, but we won’t know anything until we put on the pads,” he said. “We’ll see how they hit and how well they perform under that type of pressure.”

A right groin injury continues to sideline running back Rashod Smith (Miami/Northwestern) and freshman wide receiver Joserr West (Miami/Norland) missed the day of work with a left hamstring pull. The two, along with Salas, are listed day-to-day.

The Golden Panthers return to FIU Stadium for practice Wednesday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday will be the first day of practice in full pads. Practices are open to the public through this Saturday, Aug. 16.

FIU starts the season on Saturday, Sept. 6 in Terre Haute, Ind., against Indians State. The Golden Panthers open their home slate on Saturday, Sept. 20 against nationally-ranked Bethune-Cookman. Call (866) FIU-GAME for ticket information.