April 6, 2011
Coach Wilder had a review of today's practice and this thoughts of who has stood out so far this spring:
ATTITUDE AREA:
Wilder referred to goal line drills as the "attitude area" at the end of practice Wednesday. In working your way towards the end zone, the offense and defense have an entire field to work with. However, the closer to the goal line, the tighter the space, and whether the offense or the defense wins the battle at the goal line depends on who is the toughest explained Wilder. He noted the Monarchs were about 60 percent proficient last year and he wants to see those numbers improve.
OFFENSE SHINES IN THE ATTITUDE AREA:
The Monarchs spent the last 15 minutes of Wednesday's practice in the attitude area with the offense managing to score on each rep.
* While corner T.J. Cowart made a great stop halting Colby Goodwyn at the line of scrimmage at the five yard line, two snaps later the offense made its first score of the drill with Angus Harper punching the ball in from the three.
* Linebacker Michael Williams and defensive end Alex Johnson teamed for a stop at the one yard line, but Harper was once again the go-to guy by rolling left to get the score.
* Safety Alex Arain managed to push Goodwyn out of bounds right at the line to keep the defense alive in the third rep.. However, quarterback Thomas DeMarco faked left before running to his right to push his way over the goal line.
* Tight end Kai Blanco recorded a pair of receptions in the end zone for the offense.
* Linebacker John Darr kept the offense from scoring on what Coach Wilder called a "juice play", but moments later Antonio Vaughan ran the ball into end zone for another point for the offense.
OTHER TEAM DRILL HIGHLIGHTS:
* Thomas DeMarco helped orchestrate the offense from the defensive 25 down to the end zone.
* Also starting at the defensive 25, Nate Ong connected with Antonio Vaughan for a 30 yard pass up the middle in traffic. However the defense stifled the offense from moving past their own 30.
* Corner Aaron Evans forced a fumble that was quickly recovered by Reid Evans. Three plays later at third and eight, Mario Crawford tore up the middle of the field, running 50 yards for a touchdown.
* The defense countered by not allowing the offense to move the chains on the next rep and forcing the offense to be a third and 18.
* Nick Mayers captured a 25 yard reception from Nate Ong, but it wasn't enough as the defense won the rep holding the offense to fourth and three.
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.
SATURDAY SET-UP:
The Monarchs will run about 75 plays on Saturday at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Saturday's practice is open to the public and starts at 1 p.m.