Murray State University Athletics
Murray State Football Preseason Practice #19 & #20
8/20/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
The Murray State football team held their last two-a-day of the preseason today, practicing for an hour and 45 minutes at 8:15 a.m. and an hour at 3:35 p.m.
The Racers will hold their last practice of the preseason, a scrimmage, tomorrow at 3:05 at Stewart Stadium.
Today, the quarterbacks and running backs worked on reading the outside linebacker, played by assistant coach Mickey Fein, on the option play, with the quarterback deciding to pitch the ball to the running back or tucking and running, depending on who the linebacker favored. The wide receivers worked on a hand-eye coordination "hot potato" drill where one receiver stood in the middle of five other receivers. The receiver in the middle would have to catch a ball thrown from any of the other five receivers, then pitch the ball back to whoever threw it, then turn to any of the other receivers for a ball that had already been thrown and catch it and repeat the drill for 10 reps. The offensive linemen worked on getting a strong drive off the snap and exploding through the defender.
During a light scrimmage in the afternoon session, quarterback Chris Franklin found Marcus Harris for a 65-yard touchdown, and quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt hit Rod Harper for a 65-yard touchdown off a screen pass.
On defense, the safeties worked on dropping back into coverage, then charging towards the ball and using slick footwork to slide to the ball carrier. The defensive backs and linebackers worked on reading the quarterback, played by assistant coaches Rich Nagy and Kenyatta McCoy, and getting in good position for an interception.
At the conclusion of the afternoon practice, head coach Matt Griffin encouraged his players to finish the preseason camp strong, and to work towards finishing Tuesday's scrimmage the right way.
Murray State opens its 83rd season of college football on Aug. 30 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, where they will face the University of Louisville Cardinals. Kick-off time is set for 6:30 p.m.
