Monday, August 11, 2003

FIU Football begins 2003 preparations with first fall practice

• 2003 FIU Football Schedule

he FIU Football team started preparations for the 2003 season, Monday with nearly 90 players participating in a 90-minute workout dressed in shorts and shells.

After missing spring drills because of left shoulder surgery, quarterback Jamie Burke (Sarasota, Fla.) took snaps with the first team while running backs Diamos Demerritt (Miami/Norland) and Tori Robinson (Miami/Southridge) seemed nearly 100 percent after injuries last fall.

Demerritt transferred from the University of Minnesota and was challenging for a starting spot when he tore his ACL during pre-season workouts and missed the entire year. Robinson, who was the starting back in the inaugural game against Saint Peter’s, suffered a deep ankle bone bruise during that game and was never the same.

“A lot of our returnees seemed to do a pretty good job this morning,” said head coach Don Strock. “Some of the young guys looked kind of nervous, not sure where to line up or what their assignments were. They made some mistakes, but that’s understandable.”

Strock changed things up by switching the time for one-a-day fall practices from afternoon to morning sessions, citing unstable weather conditions in South Florida this time of year. “It worked out real well this morning,” he said. “I’m really scared of the weather, what with all the afternoon storms we experience. We’re a young team and can’t really afford to miss any time on the practice field.”

Only two players missed Monday’s workout due to injury. Last year’s team MVP, running back Rashod Smith (Miami/Northwestern) sat out with a groin strain and linebacker Kyle Salas (Plantation, Fla.) was out with lower back pain.

The Golden Panthers return to the practice field Tuesday, with another morning workout scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Practices will remain open to the public through Aug. 16.

FIU opens the season on Sept. 6 against Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. The Golden Panthers play their first home game against nationally-ranked Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m. on Sept. 20. For ticket information, call (866) FIU-GAME.