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Football
vs. Friday Night Showcase
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
First Day of Contact for FAU Football
8/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2005
BOCA RATON, FL -- For the first time this season, the Florida Atlantic University football team was able to practice with shoulder pads on.
Today was the first day of half-pads for the Owls, as the contact increases gradually this week. Tomorrow will be half-pads once again, with Friday being the first day of full pads. Saturday will mark the first three-a-day session.
"We practiced real well today," assistant head coach Kurt Van Valkenburgh said.
"The intensity level was very high today, and that's what we're looking for," he added.
The injury bug did bite the owls this afternoon as well. Freshman Erick McIntosh has a left leg injury and will have to undergo more testing later this week. Brandon Jackson was also forced out of practice with a minor knee injury. He is listed as day-to-day. v
Linebacker Shomari Earls dressed but did not practice. He is listed as day-to-day with a left hamstring injury.
"He had four treatments today, and we're going to see how he feels tomorrow. This was something he had done earlier, so we want to be cautious," Van Valkenburgh said.
Tomorrow's practice is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Players will be in half-pads. As always, practice will be open to the public.
Owl fans should also make plans to attend FanFest August 20. This will be the fifth year of the event. Festivities will begin at noon on the Tom Oxley Athletic Fields located on the Boca Raton Campus, 777 Glades Road. The FAU football team will take the field at 2:30 p.m.
Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger will put the Owls through the paces of the team's second and final preseason scrimmage, before traveling to Lawrence, KS where they will face the Jayhawks on September 3. Five days later, FAU will play host to Oklahoma State in Dolphins Stadium, before a national ESPN2 audience.
FanFest is an FAU athletic department event that will feature an autograph session with players and coaches, interactive youth area including face painting and inflatables, an opportunity to meet the cheer and dance teams as well as the marching band. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 1-866-FAU-Owls or visit fausports.com
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