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Practice Report - Day 15
8/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 21, 2010
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The hot temperatures came out in full force Saturday morning as the University of Tulsa football team went through Day 15 of preseason practice.
The scorching heat reached 102 degrees by the end of practice, but the well-conditioned Golden Hurricane flew threw practice as if it were any other day.
Following the three-hour session, Coach Todd Graham gave his thoughts about where the team stands at this point in the preseason.
On how practice went today:
We half-scrimmaged today. There was some give and take both offensively and defensively. We tried to simulate tough situations like a play with six seconds left in the game. We also simulated different situations as far as redzone plays and plays inside the 10-yard line. There were some good things today, but there were also some penalties that we have to get cleaned up. The most important thing is to focus on what we're doing and get better.
On the progression of freshman quarterback Kalen Henderson:
Kalen Henderson really stuck out to me. He did some great things. He moved and scored against our first-team defense and I was impressed with him today.
On the play of senior punter Michael Such in the preseason:
Such is doing great. He is one of the best punters I've been around, and we're going to need for him to be even better than he was last year. We're expecting him to carry a big load and impact field position with his punting.
On junior place kicker Kevin Fitzpatrick:
Kevin has been extremely accurate on his field-goal kicking, and he's done a great job on kickoff.
On younger offensive players who are expected to have an impact this season:
(True freshman) Stetson (Burnett) has looked really good. He's definitely going to be a starter for us either at right guard or right tackle. He's had a great camp and a great spring. (True freshman running back) Ja'Terian Douglas is special. He has special speed and athleticism running the ball out of the backfield. He can also catch the ball, too, and he's shown great promise.
On younger players in the defensive secondary who are expected to contribute in 2010:
(True freshman defensive backs) James Roberson, Marco Nelson, Brion James and DeWitt Jennings. All those guys have had great camps and are in our two-deep (depth chart).
On the newcomers on the defensive linemen:
We feel good about how we've improved with the newcomers up front. (Junior defensive end) Tyrunn Walker has really been a standout on defense, and (junior defensive end) Durrell Finch is proving to be a tremendous pass rusher.
On young linebackers stepping up:
(Redshirt freshman) Cody Wilson is probably the most improved player on the defense. (Grayshirt freshman) Shawn Jackson had a great day today, and they're battling back and forth for playing time. I'm excited about those two.
TU will be back on the practice field Sunday afternoon and will take Monday off as the Golden Hurricane begin classes.
Tulsa opens the 2010 season at defending Conference USA Champion East Carolina on Sunday, September 5th on ESPN 2. Tulsa will open the home season against Bowling Green on Sept. 11th. Season tickets are available at www.TulsaHurricane.com or by calling 918.631.GoTU (4688).
WEATHER REPORT (Saturday, August 21)
Temperature - 89.1˚, Humidity - 52%
Starting:
Ending: Temperature - 101.8˚, Humidity - 36%
Tulsa Notes
-Redshirt freshman defensive end Maurice White has left the team for personal/family-health related reasons.
-Defensive end Jack Jewell and offensive guard Brian Mincher have returned to the team.
-Freshman offensive lineman Jake Alexander has suffered a season-ending knee injury.
