Aug. 17, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. - As the ODU Football team heads into its first scrimmage of the preseason, the coaching staff saw the Monarchs install the two-minute drill and ran a few blitz vs. run periods in Monday's practice.
"As a head coach, I want to see good reps and tempo," said head coach Bobby Wilder, "but I like it when it goes back and forth. It tells me we are getting better on both sides and no one is dominating."
While many people equate the two-minute drill occurring at the end of the game, the coaching staff wanted to emphasize that the two-minute drill could be used also at the end of a half or even the entire fourth quarter. If the Monarchs' opposition is down in the fourth quarter, the defense has to be ready for the hurry-up offense. Conversely, if the Monarchs are down in the fourth quarter, it's the ODU offense looking for a couple of quick scores.
"The advantage we have is that's how we practice," said Wilder. With Monarchs not huddling in the spread offense, the team is in the two-minute drill all the time.
The offense managed to take the ball down the field in the first drive. The defense ended up capturing the stop though, managing to keep the offense inside the 10-yard line through five plays. The defense had a bust in coverage where they would have been off the field in fourth down, but were flagged for pass interference. The offense had the ball on the two-yard line with no time on the clock and the defense stopped them to win the segment.
During the next series, however it was the offense's turn to shine. The offense needed a long field goal with time running out and redshirt freshman Drew Hareza (McDonald, Pa.) nailed the ball through the uprights to end the drill with a spilt between the two squads.
The Monarchs also devoted time to special teams working punt and punt assault drill.
Tomorrow, the Monarchs will have the first of four scrimmages lined up for the preseason.
NOTE: All practices and scrimmages are CLOSED to the public.
Monarch Moments: Today's Sudden Change: It was fourth and goal on the nine-yard line for the last play of the game. The offense had to score to win meaning the quarterback could not just throw the ball out of the end zone. He had to scramble around to make a play. The Monarchs ran the drill twice with both times the defense making the top. Redshirt freshman Bobby Cooper (Davidsonville, Md.) took the helm for the first attempt, just missing and throwing an incompletion. Redshirt junior Thomas DeMarco (Palm Desert, Calif.) meanwhile hit wide reciever Michael E. Williams (Manassas, Va.), but junior linebacker Mychael McJunkins (Kansas City, Kan.) tackled him on the one-yard line.
Gonna Make You Sweat: After a week of practice, head Coach Bobby Wilder is very pleased where the Monarchs are in their conditioning. More conditioning exercises were planned for Monday's practice, but the coaching staff pulled off because of how hard they have been working in practice and feel like they are in shape.
Getting It Done: Another area the coaching staff is pleased with after a week on the turf is special teams. The Monarchs have all six phases installed now. "We've got guys who know what they are doing and know their assignments," noted Wilder. "I made it a point to team that before you even think of being a starter on offense or defense, we need you to be starter on special teams. They've really grabbed that philosophy."
Student Line Up: Just as a reminder, student tickets are available starting next Monday - August 24th - at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Those students looking to line up or camp out can begin lining up in the grass behind the Ted starting on Sunday, August 23rd at 7 p.m. Remember to have your ODU student ID in hand.
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