The Owls took to the field on Thursday for the first three-a-day practice session of the 2010 season.

"Each day they get a little bit better and they are working hard to get better", said Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger after the third and final session of the day. "But the offense, now that we've got two centers - a third and a fourth string - it's slowing us down. You saw the number of fumbles we had."

The kickoff and kick return units started off the final practice of the day, with Tavious Polo, Lester Jean, Jeff Blanchard, Willie Floyd, and Travis Jones all returning the kicks from Ross Gornall.

As the hot afternoon continued, the offense and defense worked against each other in 11-on-11 drills, where the defense impressed and found a few stops. Linebacker Randell Johnson intercepted a Jeff Van Camp pass in the flats and defensive end Corey Henry applied pressure to the offensive line by coming of the edge multiple times. Safety Brantley Harstad had the hit of the day when he nailed tight end Alex Fick in the middle of the field and caused an incompletion.

Offensive tackle Chris Newbold slid over to take the vacant center position, and had a rough outing in his first day snapping the ball causing many fumbles and miss connections between him and Van Camp.

The offense however did find a score when Van Camp hit Jean in the corner of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown. Freshman wide receiver Marcus Cunningham had another strong day of practice and worked with the second team offense.

“It was tough at first, but once I got use to it and started listing to what the seniors said, be patient, be calm and give it your all on every down and every snap, and listen to what the coaches say and everything will be alright,” Cunningham said of his first three-a-day with the Owls.

Cunningham looks like he is making a case for some playing time this fall, and was putting in the extra effort after practice by catching passes from quarterback Graham Wilbert.

“Marcus Cunningham has been phenomenal so far, he’s had great work ethic mentally and physically,” wide receiver coach Jarred Allen said after practice. “He will be an addition for our wide receiving corp., and will add depth, so we’re looking to get him ready to go and do whatever we need to do with him, whether it be redshirt him or play him.”

Fellow freshmen Jerrard Hunter, Michael Copeland and Tony Moore all found time with the second teams as well, and held up during their first three-a-day with the team.


Injury Update:

Jordan Sessa indefinite
Jimmie Colley day to day
Xavier Stinson limited
Avery Holley limited
Yourhighness Morgan limited

DNP:

Treon Howard
Keith Reaser
Cotez Ash


FAU will take the field tomorrow afternoon for its first scrimmage of fall camp at 3:30.

With so many out at the center position, RS JR Chris Newbold was providing snaps today.

OL DeAndre Williams eyes LB David Hinds and DE Corey Henry.

Tavious Polo had a nice day today, including a pass break up, and was working on punt returns early in the session.

DB Demetrius Williamson is a player to keep an eye on. He made a couple of nice plays today with a batted pass and a stop for a loss.

It was a hot one today, possibly the hottest yet.  Toney Moore knew just where to go to find some relief.