Murray State University Athletics
Practice 3-MSU Spring Football
3/31/2006 6:00:00 AM | Football
The Murray State Racer football team continued their spring workouts today under warm weather with strong southeasterly winds and also dark, gloomy skies with the threat of rain looming. The Racers practiced today in full pads for the first time after going two practices in helmets only.
On the defensive side of the ball, coordinator Rich Nagy worked the players through audibles at the line of scrimmage, where the linebackers realize the offense is changing its play and then signals the outside cornerbacks what defense is changing to. The defensive also continued to work on causing fumbles, open-field tackling, and footwork at the line of scrimmage.
On offense, coordinator Mickey Fein's players worked on the center-quarterback exchange, and hand offs. The MSU wide receivers worked on establishing a quick first-step at the line of scrimmage, and catching passes that were already in mid-air before they turned. The quarterbacks also worked on a scramble drill that included detailed footwork, pass dropbacks. The offensive line worked on their footwork and pass protection.
There were also several individual drills, including a one where one player stood at each side of their pad, and had to use full contact and momentum to push the other player off-balance and to the ground. The next drill in this sequence included two players tugging at a tire, with the drill not ending until one player had the tire on his side of the field. Fullback Zach Knight and linebacker Nathan Williams tugged for 30-45 seconds before head coach Matt Griffin blew his whistle and called the match a “draw”. The last drill was one offensive player making a cut towards an emulated goal line, and the defensive player had to make an open-field tackle and do whatever it took to stop him from getting the touchdown. Safety Koji Farrington excelled in this drill, stopping the offensive player well short of the goal line.
The Racers then had a short scrimmage in the light drizzle, before working on field goals and protection.
MSU NOTES: There seems to be a rejuvenated interest in Racer football this spring, with over 25 bystanders, including area high school assistant and head coaches watched spring practice today.
Sophomore DeAngelo Nelson worked out with both the wide receivers and the defensive backs today. Nelson, who is listed as a wide receiver, seemed to impress the coaching staff for his excellent defensive drop-back coverage footwork, drawing heavy praise from assistant coaches Johnny Jernigan and Mark Lister.
Another set of individual drills performed today by the defense were agility drills. In one drill, there were two helicopter ladders set on the ground, and the players had to step in the open area of the ladder which was about a foot apart before moving on to the next one. The players then performed the same drill, but laterally as they had to go right-to-left through each area. The next drill involved two giant circles resembling hula hoops, and the players would have to run in big steps around the circles in the pattern of the number “8”, with another defender who started about a yard behind trying to catch up with them. Safeties J.R. Webber and Michael Sturgis did a terrific job in these drills.
The quarterbacks and wide receivers worked on basic cross routes and curls. Ryne Salyer threw several pm target passes, leading the receivers in stride.
The next Racer practice is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. All the public is invited to attend and admission is free. The Racers will scrimmage some 40 to 50 plays.
