Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Practice in Full Pads for First Time
8/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2005
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University's preseason football camp reached another milestone on Friday as the Chippewas practiced in full pads for the first time.
The CMU offense and defense went head-to-head in a number of full-contact drills, including a brief scrimmage session and a red zone period. The practice script saw a majority of running plays called during the open field session, while the red zone period was primarily a passing session for the offense.
"We wanted a chance to get to see our young backs and get a sense of who we are when the contact starts," said second-year head coach Brian Kelly. "Overall, we saw some good plays on both sides of the field which, as a head coach at the end of the day, is what you want to see."
CMU will be back on the practice field on Saturday morning for the first of seven scheduled two-a-day practice sessions. Kelly plans to build a 40-play scrimmage session into Saturday's afternoon practice. The morning session will run from 9:15 a.m. to 11:15, while the afternoon practice will last from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30.
NEWS AND NOTES
BALLHAWKS: While Kelly has sung the praises of his receiving corps, another position group beginning to show significant improvement from last year is the CMU secondary. True freshman Brandon Jackson was one of three members of the secondary to intercept passes in the end zone during Friday's red zone session, and the unit as a whole has shown a more aggressive style thus far in the preseason.
"We're challenging throws in the secondary much better than we have in the past, which is obviously crucial," Kelly said.
FINDING THE BIG GUYS: The Chippewa receiving corps will attract most of the attention during the season, but both senior Kent Smith and redshirt freshman Brian Brunner tossed touchdown passes to tight ends on similar plays on Friday. Early in the red zone session, Brunner rolled to his left and flipped a pass to Troy Peyerk in the flat, who weaved his way into the end zone from 10 yards out. Smith and Jacob Brown hooked up for a score on a similar play later in the period.
QUICK HITTERS: CMU has remained healthy through the first week of camp. The Chippewas had a scare when redshirt freshman offensive lineman Mark Barbaglia went down with an apparent knee injury late in Friday's practice. After being checked out by the training staff, he left the field under his own power ... CMU's football media day is slated for next Tuesday, beginning at noon ... remember to log on to www.cmuchippewas.com for training camp reports every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the preseason ... CMU opens the regular season against Indiana in Kelly/Shorts Stadium in 21 days.
