Murray State University Athletics
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Weather Disrupts, But Does Not Cancel Racers' Practice
8/10/2006 5:00:00 AM | Football
Murray
Early in the afternoon the temperature reached 98 degrees in Murray with a heat index of 115 degrees, but by the time practice started at 3:35 clouds had moved in, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped into the 80s.
Before the weather disruption, the team continued to give attention to special teams, working on kickoff returns, blocking and returning punts and kickoffs.
When practice resumed, an hour after clearing the field, the team warmed up with a couple of minutes of drills before beginning 6-on-7 work in the red zone.
Junior cornerback Chris Fountain broke up a pass in the end zone. Junior quarterback Ryne Salyer completed a 15-yard scoring strike to Lee McGinnis in the back of the end zone.
“High intensity, fast, fast, fast,” is how senior center Matt Garrett describe the first days of practice. “The offensive line is doing pretty good. We're learning a lot, we've put in a lot of new stuff the last couple of days.”
During 11-on-11 play, Chad Cook accelerated quickly through a whole to pick up 14 yards. Near the end, freshman defensive lineman Matt McWhorter deflected a pass.
“The effort has been good, the guys are just battling through the heat and working to get better every day,” MSU Offensive Line Coach Mike Hayes said. “The o-line is working hard. Matt (Garrett) is doing an excellent job, he's pushing himself to get better everyday. Chris Mauga and Johnathan Harper, along with Matt, are all taking their senior seasons very seriously.”
“The young guys are coming along well,” said Hayes. “Football is very important to all the young players and they're doing a good job of absorbing everything we're throwing at them.”
Practice ended with work on point-after attempts.
The
The two large air coolers were positioned to provide cooler air to the players while taking water breaks under the tent. However, before the team had the opportunity to test out the new equipment, Mother Nature provide cooler air for them, in the form of severe thunderstorms.
The Racers will have their second two-a-day of camp on Friday. The first practice will start at 8:15 a.m. and the second will get underway at 3:35 p.m.
Murray State opens its 82nd season of college football on Sept. 2 when the team travels to Columbia, Mo., to face the University of Missouri at 6 p.m. The Racers first home game of the
