Thursday, 8-17-00, Practice Report, from SMU Sports Information

[MustangMatt]

Sorry, PonyFans. We were not able to make it to practice today, so here is a press release from SMU's Sports Information Department.

August 17, 2000

SMU Football Practice Report

Dallas, Texas -- The Southern Methodist University football team
continued preseason practice on Wednesday with a pair of two-hour workouts
on the SMU practice fields.

"The guys are continuing to work hard," said Mustang head coach Mike
Cavan. "I think that two-a-days can be a grind on both the players and the
coaches, but they are fighting through it."

Both morning and afternoon practices began with fundamental position
drills and culminated in an 11-on-11 controlled scrimmage. Junior
quarterback Josh McCown made several long pass completions to sophomore wide
receiver Johnnie Freeman during the morning session. Freeman continued to be
a playmaker in the afternoon session with a couple of big catches while
surrounded by defenders. Junior wide receiver Bryan McDearman also showed
poise by making a few catches in traffic, as well as a few break-away
catches . Defensively, sophomore linebacker Vic Viloria asserted himself
once again as the defensive leader with several big hits, as well as
shouting encouragement to players on both sides of the ball.

Coaches are eagerly awaiting their first chance to see the team in a
full-scale scrimmage - they will get that chance this weekend.

"I am looking forward to the scrimmage on Saturday" said Cavan. "I
think it will give the coaches a good chance to assess the players progress
with the offensive and defensive plays."

SMU will conduct its first scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday.
The scrimmage will be closed to the public. The Mustangs' final scrimmage of
the preseason, on Saturday, August 26, will be open to all fans. Two-a-days
continue tomorrow at the SMU practice fields. The Mustangs open their 2000
season on September 2 when they host Kansas at 6:00 p.m. in Gerald J. Ford
Stadium.