Friday, August 15, 2003

First day in full pads results in spirited FIU Football practice

• 2003 FIU Football Schedule

t was a spirited two-hour practice session Friday at FIU Stadium as the Golden Panthers football team strapped on full gear for the first time this fall. Oklahoma drills spiced up the workout and coaches concentrated a large part of the team sessions on short yardage and goal line formations, all going at full speed.

"After practicing the last two days in shoulder pads, you could see that they were a little antsy to get at it a bit," said head coach Don Strock. "We got a lot of good work in today. Some of our young running backs performed pretty well in their first test and hopefully we didn't sustain many injuries."

One injury that was sustained came at the already-thin running back position when O.J. Price (Plantation/Flanagan) suffered a right shoulder contusion during Oklahoma drills and was forced to sit the remainder of the workout.

"Hitting is important, but as a coach, you never know how much is enough," said Strock. "And on the first day, I felt it was important."

With the first week of practice nearly in the books, the head coach seems encouraged from what he's seen thus far.

"Physically, it looks like we're beginning to round into shape. The younger guys are starting to understand the concept of what we're trying to get done. We've got a group of veterans going into their third year and we haven't really changed the offensive or defensive system so they've showed a little more confidence everyday in what they're doing," he said.

In addition to Price's injury, running backs Tori Robinson (Miami/Southridge) missed Friday's workout awaiting a cardiology clearance and Diamos Demerritt (Miami/Norland) returned home for a family emergency. It is hoped that Robinson will be cleared to practice on Tuesday and Demerritt will return to camp by the first of the week.

The Golden Panthers are back at FIU Stadium for practice for their first two-a-day sessions, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Both sessions will be conducted in full pads. Saturday is also the last day that practices will be open to the public.

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.