Football Begins Third Week of Camp on Monday

BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Campbell's football team kept working toward the season with the team's 11th day of preseason camp on Monday, Aug. 15 at Barker-Lane Stadium/Ed Gore Field. 

With only one day of practice scheduled for the day the Camels went with full pads. The team started the day going through the standard individual drills that focused on fundamentals and teaching the proper technique. The team also continued the installation of the offense and defense and worked some of a few special team areas including punt block, point after touchdowns, field goals and kickoff returns. The Camels also ran through a series of team segments and different third down situations. A few of the noteworthy plays from the first team segment included receiver Jonathon Rogers catching an 11-yard pass from Dakota Wolf, running back Kurt Odom hauling in a nine-yard completion from Dakota Wolf, quarterback Nick Potts hitting receiver A.J. Artis on a 14-yard and 16-yard pass on back-to-back plays, freshman linebacker Chinedu Onuoha breaking through the line for a sack and Braden Smith hitting Harrison Jordan on a 14-yard pass and then receiver Preston Dodson on a 14 yarder. 

The second team segment of the day including a 15-yard run from running back Carl Smith, sacks by linebacker Milton Brown and defensive back Jeff Swinton on consecutive plays, Rogers hauling in a 30-yard pass from Wolf, Stephen Sladek bursting through the line for a 15-yard run, Braden Smith connecting on a 70-yard pass with receiver Chad McMichael and defensive back Brandon Chandler sacking the quarterback twice. 

"We really caught a break in the weather this morning," Coach Steele explained. "It was interesting that the team really came out after having Sunday off and being focused. Their effort was good. We picked up right where we left off on Saturday and we were able to make some corrections. In the scrimmage on Saturday I thought we saw a lot of good things happening. I continue to see a lot of improvement on the defense. Jeremiah Robinson, Randel Herring and Taurean Lynch continue to play extremely well upfront. Our linebacker core in Chris Price and Mike Rudisill are playing well. Hassan Williamson has moved to outside linebacker and is playing well out. The secondary looks solid. They've had a good week with Paul Pizzuti and Brandon Chandler back in there. Erik Feliciano and Steven Goldsmith have also done a good job at the safety. Our cornerbacks are a little nicked up right now but it has given some of our young guys an increased opportunity. On offense I thought we looked very good this morning. We had some receivers make some plays. We had few big plays in the passing game which is something that we need to improve in. Overall I was pleased with the way we worked this morning. We'll get some lifting done this afternoon along with a team meeting. We need to do a good job as a football team of minimizing the distractions with school starting on Wednesday. I think we have a very veteran football team that understands that."

CU will practice on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 9:05 a.m. The Camels then will begin their normal afternoon practices on Wednesday, Aug. 17, starting at 3:15 p.m.