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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2005/08/10/a8c_faufootball_0810.html


Herald:
Posted on Wed, Aug. 10, 2005


LOOKING GOOD

Quarterback Danny Embick, who backed up rookie Jared Allen the past two seasons, found Casey McGahee for a 60-yard touchdown during a controlled scrimmage.

SURPRISING

The secondary recorded two interceptions during 7-on-7 drills.

QUOTE

``This is one of the most talented groups I've ever had. They have a lot of room for improvement.''

– Coach Howard Schnellenberger, about his young offensive and defensive linemen

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The Search for Playmakers Continues for Football
Several players make their case early in camp.


Aug. 11, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL - The story of the 2005 season for the Florida Atlantic University football team will be which players step up to fill playmaking roles.

Some players are already showing flashes that they may be the ones.

Several of the running backs have looked very sharp early on in camp, especially sophomores B.J. Manley and DiIvory Edgecomb.

Freshman wideout Frantz Simeon has also made a few sparkling plays, including today's 60-yard TD reception during a 7-on-7 drill from redshirt freshman quarterback McKinson Souverain, who has made some plays with his feet early on.

On the defensive side, the defensive line has impressed at times, and free safety Troy Pindell has made several fine defensive stops.

The game will change tomorrow afternoon, however, when the Owls practice in full pads for the first time this season. The players' intensity level has been very high early in camp, and the coaching staff hopes that will continue as the team moves along in their preparation for the University of Kansas.

The heat was a factor for the first time this season, as the heat index climbed well over 100 degrees.

"I was pleased with the weather. It gave us an opportunity to condition our players to this type of heat," head coach Howard Schnellenberger said.

Tomorrow's practice will begin at 3:30 p.m. Owl fans are encouraged to attend what is sure to be a spirited affair.

FAU fans should also mark their calendars for August 20, as the Owls will host their Fifth-Annual FanFest. The festivities will begin at noon at the Tom Oxley Fields located on the Boca Raton campus.





Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger will put the Owls through the paces of the team's second and final preseason scrimmage, before traveling to Lawrence, KS where they will face the Jayhawks on September 3. Five days later, FAU will play host to Oklahoma State in Dolphins Stadium, before a national ESPN2 audience.

FanFest is an FAU athletic department event that will feature an autograph session with players and coaches, interactive youth area including face painting and inflatables, an opportunity to meet the cheer and dance teams as well as the marching band. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 1-866-FAU-Owls or visit fausports.com.
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First Day of Full Pads for Football
Heavy contact raises intensity level of players.


Aug. 12, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL – The first day of full pads brought a great deal of intensity to Florida Atlantic University's Friday football practice.

The team wasted little time getting into heavy contact, using an inside running drill to raise the intensity level early in practice.

The team rose to the occasion, as big hits echoed across the practice field.

The combo sessions featured several strong plays by the defense, especially the linebackers, who were unfortunately once again without Shomari Earls who is listed as day-to-day. He dressed but did not participate.

With Earls out, several others have stepped up to the occasion. Erik Benson and Cergile Sincere have sniffed out several run plays in the early days of camp, prompting some praise from their position coach Kurt Van Valkenburgh.

"I was very pleased with all of the linebackers today. We have a long way to go, but this is their (Sincere and Benson) time and they are taking advantage of it," he said.

A few separate injury updates from Tuesday's practice: freshman wideout Erik McIntosh is out 4-6 weeks with a thigh strain and guard Brandon Jackson is out 2-4 weeks with a strained MCL.

Tomorrow is the first of the scheduled three-a-day workouts. The players will practice from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to noon and 4:30p.m. to 6p.m. As always, the sessions are open to the public, and Owl fans are encouraged to attend.

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Three-A-Day Practices Begin for Football
Camp kicks into high-gear as the team continue its preseason workouts.


Aug. 13, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL – The first three-a-day session for the Florida Atlantic University football team concluded this afternoon with a mixed review from head coach Howard Schnellenberger.

"Today was a very important day to measure how far our football team has come," he said after the final session.

"I would say two-thirds of our team is where we want them to be, and a third of them are a little behind," he added.

The extreme heat was once again a factor, as heat indexes climbed to around 105 degrees in South Florida.

The team's first two sessions were fundamentals-based, as the coaching staff tries to implement a solid foundation to build from. In the past, that hadn't been an issue for the Owls, but with such a young roster this season, the coaching staff has made fundamentals an emphasis.

On the injury front, there were no new major injuries; however senior running back Aaron Sanchez did strain his left thigh. The injury is not considered serious, and he is listed as questionable for Sunday's practice. Shomari Earls once again dressed but did not participate in drills. He is still listed as day-to-day with a slight strain of the left hamstring.

Tomorrow's practice will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Tom Oxley Fields on the Boca Raton campus.

Fans are encouraged to attend practice in support of the Owls. FAU would also like to welcome all Owl fans to their Fifth-Annual FanFest, August 20. FanFest begins at noon, and the players will take the field at 2:30 p.m.

Coach Schnellenberger will put the Owls through the paces of the team's second and final preseason scrimmage, before traveling to Lawrence, KS where they will face the Jayhawks on September 3. Five days later, FAU will play host to Oklahoma State in Dolphins Stadium, before a national ESPN2 audience.

FanFest is an FAU athletic department event that will feature an autograph session with players and coaches, interactive youth area including face painting and inflatables, an opportunity to meet the cheer and dance teams as well as the marching band. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 1-866-FAU-Owls or visit fausports.com.
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Where is FanFest?
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At the Oxley Center this coming Saturday starting at Noon.
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Football Preps for First Scrimmage
120 play scrimmage scheduled for Tuesday.


Aug. 15, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL – The second three-a-day session is complete for the Florida Atlantic University football team.

The afternoon session featured plenty of hard-hitting action, including blitz drills and inside running drills, as well as some special teams work.

"Tomorrow is the first major scrimmage, so we had to get them loosened up a little bit," said head coach Howard Schnellenberger.

The hard hitting unfortunately led to yet another injury. Junior wide receiver Tito Pollice suffered a broken hand, and is out indefinitely. Also sitting out today's practice were Shomari Earls (hamstring, day-to-day) and Aaron Sanchez (thigh, day-to-day).

Tomorrow's scrimmage starts at 3:30 p.m. It will last about 120 plays, according to Schnellenberger.

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After First Preseason Scrimmage, Football Regroups
Players work hard in afternoon practice after morning practices were cancelled.


Aug. 17, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL – After a hard-hitting and intense scrimmage Tuesday afternoon, Florida Atlantic University's football team was given some rest.

On what was scheduled to be a three-a-day workout, the coaching staff decided to change the schedule around, making Wednesday morning's focus the film of the day before.

"We decided to pull the reins back a little bit and instead of having three mediocre practices, we had one very solid practice," said running backs coach David Serna.

The players responded to the rest with one of their better practices this season.

With classes scheduled to start on Monday, August 22, this week will be the last of the season where the player's sole focus is on football, making the next few days even more important.

After putting on a solid display during the scrimmage, DiIvory Edgecomb and Charles Pierre once again had a solid practice.

"We'll need all these guys. In a two back system, you need a whole stable of backs," Serna said.

Thursday's practice is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Saturday the Athletic Department will play host to the fifth annual FanFest on the Tom Oxley Athletic Fields. Admission is free to the event that will feature inflatables, a business expo, an autograph session and the debut of the 2005 FAU marching band. The event begins at noon with the scrimmage scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.

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