Offense and Defense see Wildcat

Last season in short-yardage situations, Florida Atlantic frequently called upon the Wildcat formation to move the chains.

On Monday, the Owls installed the Wildcat offense with hopes of getting an early look at next season.

“We wanted to get it on film,” head coach Carl Pelini said. “Both sides of the ball playing Wildcat defense and Wildcat offense, because there is some learning to do there.”

With running back Jonathon Wallace taking snaps in the shotgun formation, the team lined up in a goal situation for the final periods of practice. Wallace looked powerful carrying the ball, but the defense was able to hold the line on a few occasions.

Next years schedule features a handful of opponents that run a variation of the Wildcat, so introducing the formation to the defense now was ideal.

“There is some things to clean up, especially defensively, but until you see it live it’s hard to teach,” Pelini said.

Along with Wallace (2012 photo above), the formation featured running back Tony Moore and a rotation of Michael Copeland and Michael Harrop as the lead blockers. Moore doubled an extra blocker on a few snaps, and a decoy on the others for Wallace.

“It was fun. Tony has been doing a good job this spring. He’s a strong runner and a strong person,” Wallace said.

Pelini alluded after practice that the team will continue to install the Wildcat on Wednesday and should use the formation during Saturday’s Spring Game.


Kicker Anderson “Comfortable”

Much like golfers, senior kicker Mitch Anderson frequently experiences high’s and low’s when it comes to his trade.

Pelini gave an interesting take on the specialist following practice.

“He’s finally feeling comfortable with his holder, which makes all the difference. They’re all a bunch of head cases just like golfers,” Pelini said.

Anderson is working with a new holder this spring, and appears to have finally found some consistency. Towards the end of practice he connected on three field goals with a live rush coming from the defense.

“Mitch has had a great spring, he’s really getting lift on the ball,” Pelini said. “He’s in his comfort zone and they are getting the ball down and he’s shelling them. I don't think he’s missed a field goal in the last two or three days."


Practice Observations:

The injury bug continues to float around the practice fields, and a host of players didn’t participate on Monday. LB Randell Johnson, RB Martese Jackson, OL Christopher Chappell, WR Lucky Whitehead, DE Andrew Stryffeler and WR Hakeeme Ishmar all were sidelined. Pelini said Jackson could play Saturday, but ruled out Whitehead and Ishmar… DE Robinson Eugene started on the first team defense while DT Shalom Ogbonda rotated with the unit. The two linemen continue to be one of the surprises this spring… P Sean Kelly got a chance at kicking a field goal, and connected from 25-yards out… QB Melvin German scrambled for a 15-yard touchdown in red zone drills… After practice the wide receivers ran full 100-yard sprints while the defensive backs worked with 45-pound plates… DB Keith Reaser had a smaller cast on his hand, and could play on Saturday.

Ogbonda is a VERY nice young man, and looks to have put some solid "football worthiness" on his frame.

Represents the program with outstanding character.

Good to see him progressing!