Next stage
FAU turns the page on training camp and starts preparing for the season opener at UAB on Sept. 2.
Originally published on
8/24/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – Training camp is over for Florida Atlantic. The next step is preparing for UAB.
Starting with Tuesday’s practice, the Owls turned their attention to the Blazers.
“I think the kids took on a new joy practicing football. It was a joyous day for me and the coaches as well,” FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger said,
To the players it’s a welcome change in the way practices are run which means the beginning of the season is just around the corner,
“It’s a big difference from camp when everyone is just going through the same things and everboody’s walking around like zombies,” said fullback Xavier Stinson. “Now we really have something to look forward to."
And Schnellenberger said giving the players Monday off, after a light practice on Sunday is just what the players needed physically and mentally.
“I think any player who has been through three-a-days or two a days finds it joyous to start thinking about the upcoming game,” Schnellenberger said.
Kooi at QB? Schnellenberger also said that training camp has enabled him to make his decision for the Owls’ backup quarterback behind senior Jeff Van Camp.
Schnellenberger said he would reveal the decision later Tuesday night, but Kooi has taken virtually all the snaps with the second unit recently while Graham Wilbert has been running the third team offense.
Kooi, played in three games last season as a backup to Van Camp, after Rusty Smith was injured in October.
Both Kooi and Wilbert are redshirt sophomores.
Practice report: What we saw at Tuesday’s practice
- Making plays: RB Willie Floyd had some nice runs on the day. The elusive Floyd could be an important part of the offense this season.
- Stepping up: DT Jarvis Givens took most of his snaps with the starting unit and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him starting vs. UAB.
- Instant message: “We feel much better having a day off. Everybody came out today with a little more fight in them and a little more aggressiveness. We needed that.”
- Fullback Xavier Stinson