Murray State University Athletics
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Racers Continue Working Hard As Heat Returns
8/14/2006 5:00:00 AM | Football
One of the hottest days of preseason camp met the Racers as they returned to the practice field today. After practicing yesterday without pads, the team was fully equipped today as the temperatures hovered in the low 90s.
The Racers opened with position station work before breaking down into offense versus defense groups. The fullbacks and running backs worked against the linebackers and safeties in one-on-one drills. The defensive players were charged with beating the blocking offensive player and getting to the imaginary quarterback.
On the other end of the field the offensive and defensive lines battled individually, working to control the line of scrimmage.“
The team is pushing through,” said sophomore defensive lineman Andrew Fogg. “Everyone is sacrificing for the good of the team. The defensive line is young, but we're learning quickly. The coaches did a great job of recruiting guys that learn quickly and work hard.”
Fogg is one of the few “upperclassmen” on the defensive line. Of the 10 linemen, six are true freshmen. Of the four remaining, only two played at MSU last season, Fogg and senior Gerald Goldberg.
“I've been in this situation before, so it's not a new experience for me,” MSU Defensive Line Coach Johnny Jernigan said of the youth on his squad. “They're catching on to the speed of the game and they really want to learn. It's challenging at times, but we're developing faster than I thought we would. We got kids that really want to fight, and you can't teach that, everything else we can teach them.”
Before moving to 6-on-7 play, the team worked on kickoffs. In 6-on-7 work freshman quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt hit Jonathan Eiland over the middle and then watched as Eiland accelerated through the defense for a 45-yard touchdown.
Freshman Zach Barnard completed two touchdown passes from within the red zone. One scoring toss went to Shane McCleskey and another found the hands of Lee McGinnis.Practice ended with a point-after drill.
The Racers will return to the practice field on Tuesday at 3:45 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
