WEDNESDAY PRACTICE REPORT

[PonyPride]

The Mustangs returned to the practice field Wednesday morning. The entire team worked on the Pettus practice field, rather than splitting the squad between Pettus and Gerald J. Ford Stadium, and spent the first part of the practice sliding all over the wet grass before the sun rose over Ford Stadium and dried it out - at least a little.

Catch of the day: In one of the first passing drills of the day, tight end/receiver Mario Walker raced down the left sideline. QB Bo Levi Mitchell fired a pass about 30 yards downfield. Walker, looking back over his right shoulder, reached out with his left hand and snagged the pass one-handed. The catch was very impressive, but moments later, he ran the exact same route down the left side of the field and ran under another Mitchell pass ... which he dropped.

Catch of the day - honorable mention: Moments after Walker's grab, WR Justin Willis ran a similar route down the right side of the field. About 15 yards downfield, Willis turned toward the center of the field looking for the ball. The pass sailed high and a little to the outside of the field, but Willis leaped and twisted his body to make the grab as the pass headed toward the sideline - great concentration, body control and hands.

Same team, guys: The Mustangs went through their daily special teams drills with special teams coach Frank Gansz, including his trademark drill in which a kick returner gets the ball and is asked to elude four oncoming rushers. On one play, Emmanuel Sanders headed upfield and tried to split a pair of players. Walk-on DB Owen Lindsey reached out and grabbed Sanders, jerking him back in his tracks, prompting Gansz to remind him that everyone is on the same team. "They're all our guys!"

The move of the day in the four-on-one special teams drills was turned in by RB Bryce Lunday, who took the ball upfield against the oncoming group of LB Patrick Fleming, DE Kevin Grenier, DB Robert Mojica and RB Billy Dugal. Lunday headed up the middle of the field, causing the quartet to collapse around him, only to stop quickly, retreat a few steps, head left and then split Grenier and Fleming before bursting upfield.

Aim high: In his second practice with his new team, transfer QB J.J. McDermott appeared to be throwing from a lower arm angle. His arm is plenty strong to put considerable velocity on the ball, but the accuracy appeared more inconsistent than it did Monday.

Snap decision: Joining the candidates for the least-heralded (but vital) special teams role of deep snapper: RG Bryce Tennison (a high school center).

[SMU 86]

Thanks.

[that's great raplh]

p^2

thanks again

[ALEX LIFESON]

Thanks PP!


Fear the terminator!

[KnuckleStang]

Great stuff Ponypride thank you

[larskjenstad]

PP,

Did you catch the big Russian in action ? Just curious how his footwork was on some of the defensive drills. Heard he is a freak in weight room, interesting to see how it translates on some of the field drills.

Your updates are super !

[kent dorfman]

PP,

Did you catch the big Russian in action ? Just curious how his footwork was on some of the defensive drills. Heard he is a freak in weight room, interesting to see how it translates on some of the field drills.

Your updates are super !

he's estonian

[SMU_is_bowling]

Gracias!