NORFOLK, Va. – For the first time this fall, Old Dominion University practice in full pads. The Monarchs worked out for about an hour and a half on Saturday morning.
During team drills Taylor Heinicke connected on a couple of long pass plays to Antonio Vaughan and Jonathan Duhart. Freshman quarterback Shuler Bentley was able to hit Vincent Lowe for a 60 yard touchdown. Later in practice, Bentley completed a 60-yarder to Isaiah Harper and an 11-yard touchdown to Ray Lawry.
On the defensive side, Martez Simpson made several tackles from his linebacker spot. Christian Byrum and Aaron Young each had a pass deflection while Fellonte Misher had an interception.
ODU has its first double session of camp with its second practice scheduled for later today.
Comments from Coach Wilder:
On practice in full pads:
“I liked today’s practice. I liked their energy. They came out right from the first period with our punt team drill. There was a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm. They were excited to have the pads on. This is why you play football.”
“I just told them in the team meeting that the scrimmage part of it, we went about 50 plays that the coaches and I had planned on, and 35 were tackle football reps while the other 15 were where we did our rap period. I just told them that this was not nearly as physical as we are going to need to be, and you expect that as a coach. That first time, they are still trying to learn the plays and get organized.”
On today’s second practice:
“We will come out this afternoon in our helmets and spider shoulder pads. And it will be 12, five minute periods. So an hour long and nine of those periods will focus on special teams and the other three will be individual work by position.”
“We will focus this afternoon specifically on the kickoff team, punt block unit, and field goal/PAT, where position coaches with those units can continue to install their playbook for each of those units.”
On the first week of practice:
“I feel really good about it. Particularly the mixture I am looking for as the head coach is how the veterans reacting to the new players. And I feel that reaction has been very positive, the new players have shown a measure of respect and they want to learn. The veteran players are taking them under their wing and teaching them. So developing that team chemistry within the football team is really critical in the first week and that’s what has happened. I am very pleased with that.”