Aug. 8, 2008
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LEWISBURG, Pa. - An early afternoon rain storm did not dampen the first day of preseason camp for the Bucknell football team on Friday. The quick shower passed over Lewisburg in advance of the 3 p.m. practice, leaving the team to conduct its first workout underneath mostly sunny skies.
Just over 90 players donned practice jerseys for the first of 20 sessions prior to the start of classes on Aug. 27. The Bison open the season Sept. 6 with a home contest against Duquesne.
“It was mostly organizational,” commented Bucknell’s sixth-year head coach Tim Landis following practice. “It went well. We have 31 freshmen and newcomers and we are trying to get them acclimated. We’ll get faster as we go.”
Much of the workout featured the team split into position groups and working on the fundamentals under close watch from the coaching staff. Late in practice, work was focused on alignments and positioning.
With the first special teams meeting of camp on the docket for Friday evening, it is likely special teams work will commence this weekend.
After the first of nine consecutive days with at least one practice, Landis praised the physical condition of his squad.
“The majority of the team is in very good shape,” mentioned Landis, who has 23 wins during his Bison tenure. “There were anywhere from 35 to 50 players here throughout the summer working with (strength & conditioning coach) John Field. He has done a tremendous job, and it shows.”
Bucknell’s next five practices are all scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, including Saturday’s session.
Notes: Friday’s practice was the first for new coaches Harold Nichols, Bill McCord and Aaron Lewis … Aug. 17 is Bucknell’s first of two days off during preseason camp … there are 29 days until kickoff against Duquesne on Sept. 6 … this is Bucknell’s latest start to preseason camp since 2005 when its first practice was Aug. 9 … high temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s are expected throughout the first week of camp.
