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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
FAU Practice Reports
9/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 9, 2008
Howard Schnellenberger
Simplifying Defense
Our attitude about ourselves and our team is improving, understanding that they can play better than they have been playing, in order to give them the best opportunity to do that we have paired back. It is not an unusual maneuver. It is the kind of thing that field marshals have done for years, simplify the plan and make it easier. Defense is react and attack. The more effective it is the gang pursuit and gang tackling is a hallmark of great defense. They put missed tackles out of the nomenclature out of the game. They cause fumbles and good things happen to you when you are rallying to the ball. Gang tackling and playing with reckless abandon are things we have been short on and are trying to win with. We are moving in the right direction. Whether we will be an average, below average, above average or a superior defensive team I don't know, but I think we will improve.
Michigan State has a different look than the last two opponents
It is all football, but it makes it different. The point of emphasis has to change. This team doesn't try to fool you. They try to take advantage of running into the density. They rely on superior size and strength, superior execution, superior experience and making very few errors and keeping the turnover ratio at a minimum. It will be a man's game.
Charles Pierre
On the 73 yard carry, a program single-game record
The line did a real good job opening holes and the receivers did an excellent job blocking down field, that all allowed me to spring out for a big run.
Michigan State
Michigan State is a good team. We will have to play perfect football as a team to come out with a win.
Offensive line
The offensive line does real well as a run blocking unit. They allow us to run the ball and when we run it gives them a chance to be aggressive and attack. They are all around good blockers. You may notice them in pass block because we tend to pass more, but they are all around good blockers whether it is the run game or the pass game.
Will it be difficult in establishing a running game against them?
I feel that if we open up with the passing game and make everything 50-50 it will keep them off balance and make them play us fair so they can't just key on a run or a pass, that will open things up and make them play more honest.
Splitting Time with DiIvory Edgecomb
Splitting time helps us keep fresh legs and keeps us focused a little bit better.
Jervonte Jackson
Michigan State will be bigger than UAB and our (DL) key will be staying low.
We need to do what we do everyday which is getting behind the line and knocking people off the ball. We need to execute.
Their running back is real talented. He can make people miss. He can make people break tackles, which is something that has hurt us the last two weeks. We can just hit them with a shoulder we need to wrap them up and take them to the ground.
Struggles on Defense
When you look at it on film you question how could we not be in the right defense and not execute. We practice so hard, so long and watch so much film that it shouldn't be like that as individuals. I take it upon myself that we should know this stuff and be together. We have to know it as one and as a unit. We have to buckle down and all be in the same defense.
Tuesday's Practice Report
The Florida Atlantic University football team had its' first practice of the week as the Owls begin preparation for the Michigan State Spartans. The Owls practiced for three hours in windy and overcast conditions.
Rusty Smith continues to connect with his receivers, as he completed an over the shoulder spiral pass to Cortez Gent. Today also marked the first day defensive end Robert St. Clair was dressed in full pads. The senior missed the past few weeks with injuries.
FAU will travel to East Lansing, Michigan to play Michigan State (1-1) on Saturday, September 13th at 12 p.m. ET. The game is schedule to be televised on ESPN 2. Michigan State lost to the University of California 38-31 during opening week but beat Eastern Michigan 42-10 this past week.
After road games at Minnesota and Middle Tennessee State, Florida Atlantic will return home to face Sun Belt power Troy on Tuesday, October 7th at 8 p.m. For more information on tickets call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DT
/ Football
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DL
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