Murray State University Athletics
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Racers Go 11-On-11 On Second Day Of Practice
8/7/2006 5:00:00 AM | Football
Murray State University's football team continued to work on technique and fundamentals on the second day of preseason practice but the Racers also got a taste of 11-on-11 action for about 10 minutes at the end of practice.
“I'm excited about them being excited,” said MSU Offensive Coordinator Mickey Fein. “Right now we're just working on fundamentals and technique. They've had very few mental breakdowns, they're really paying attention.”
The team opened up with special teams and kickoff work before breaking down into groups and rotating through seven drill stations.
The Racers continued to drill in position specific groups. The quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs ran through a pass-catch drill.
“Offensively we're focusing on ball security,” Fein said. “We're working on a few base plays that we can build around.”
Following position specific drills, the team went through offense versus defense drills. The offensive line and defensive line worked against each other. Four groups alternated through the drill. Two groups participated in the drill while two groups took a water break, the groups then switched out.
Wide receivers and defensive backs also drilled against each other.
Following a water break at what the Murray State training staff has come to call the “Racer Nation Re-Hydration Station” the defense broke down into position specific groups for more drills while the offense worked on running plays versus specific defensive formations.
Later the whole team came together to work on punting formations.
During 15 minutes of 7-on-7 work, junior Ryne Salyer completed a 40 yard pass to a diving Rod Harper. Moments later senior captain J.R. Webber intercepted a pass and returned it for what would have been a touchdown.
Jonathan Eiland nearly made a beautiful diving catch on a pass from freshman Zach Barnard. Junior Derrick Parrott broke up a pass intended for Eiland.
Near the end of 7-on-7 play, Salyer completed an 80-yard scoring pass to Antonio Patton.
“The tempo is up,” said senior running back Chad Cook. “Everybody's come to play and the work ethic is better than I've ever seen it here.”
All four quarterbacks, Salyer, Barnard, Jeff Ehrhardt and Chris Franklin, spent equal time under center.
The Racers went 11-on-11 for 10 minutes to conclude practice.
The Racers will hold their third preseason practice on Tuesday 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
