April 3, 2011
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Football Monarchs made up for Wednesday's washed out practice by taking the field on Sunday with more live drills.
On specials teams, kickoff was the main focus. With the graduation of All-American Dustin Phillips, who did drop by practice on Sunday, long snapping duties were taken by Andrew Turner and Erik Saylor.
The defense had several highlights including some of last year's redshirts getting into the mix of things. Eriq Lewis and Craig Wilkins caused a break-up on a 30-yard pass to Marquel Thomas helping to stop of the offense from moving the chains. Wilkins later forced a fumble that was recovered by Dominique Guinn-Bailey.
Both Lewis and Guinn-Bailey redshirted last fall. Guinn-Bailey, a defensive tackle, was a First Team Eastern District and Second Team All-Tidewater selection coming out of Portmouth's Churchland High School last summer, while Lewis, a Washington D.C. product, earned All-DCIAA out of Coolidge High School a year ago.
Another defensive highlight included Aaron Evans making a huge jump for an interception and running the ball back down field. (See Photo right).
Ending the practice, the Monarchs worked at the goal line.
While the defense held on the first set, the offense did manage to break through on several occasions though out the drill. Nick Mayers ran the ball to the right sideline, but after seeing the defensive hurdle coming his way, quickly changed gears. Mayer circumnavigated the defense running to other sideline and into the end zone for a score. Also recording touchdowns for the offense on the drill were Marquel Thomas as well as Angus Harper and Antonio Vaughan, another pair of redshirts from last fall.
Harper, in his second spring, missed last fall with a knee injury. (Click here for a Q&A with Harper from last week). Vaughan, from Ahoskie, N.C., was a NCPreps.Com 3A All-State honoree prior to joining the Monarchs.
The Football Monarchs have a quick turn around as they return to the turf tomorrow.
MONARCH MOMENTS:
QUICK SNAPS:
Take a look a few pictures snapped at Sunday's practice by clicking here.
MONARCH REACHOUT:
Members of the ODU Football Team will be among the 250 student volunteers helping to run events and be buddies for the second annual ODU Special Olympics on Thursday. Over 200 elementary school children from the Norfolk Public Schools will be participating.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Rich Radford of the Virginian Pilot had a piece in Sunday's paper about JUCO transfer Nate Ong.
HAIL TO THE CHIEFS:
Dropping by Sunday's practice were Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim and Old Dominion President John Broderick.
SPRING/SUMMER CAA FOOTBALL COVERAGE:
The CAA will be conducting Skype interviews with various student-athletes from the CAA, including several of your Football Monarchs. Click here for more information on how you can participate.
THE SOCIAL NETWORK:
Can't get enough ODU Football? Be sure to follow ODU Football on Twitter (@ODUFootball) and on Facebook (Group - Old Dominion University Athletics).
Also check out the CAA pages on Twitter (@The_CAAFootball), Facebook (Group - CAA Football), and the CAA Football Blog for notes and news from around the league.