PonyFans.com practice report (8/6/14)

[PonyPride]

The Mustangs split their practice Wednesday, with the offense and special teams working in Ford Stadium (where I was), and the defense out on the Pettus practice field.

• Very basic, preliminary installation Wednesday. When the team broke into position groups, veterans ran plays, followed by the newcomers (freshmen and transfers), with ample correction/clarification from coaches and older teammates.

• From a distance, QB Jordan Severt looks a lot like Garrett Gilbert. Both are big (Severt is listed at 6-4, 248), both have strong arms, and Severt is now wearing the No. 11 jersey Gilbert wore. They even carry themselves similarly, enough so that a couple of people mentioned "that throw Gilbert just made." Eerie.

• WR Cedric Lancaster wore No. 3 during the spring, and was expected to do so during the season. But when LB-turned-RB Kevin Pope was granted an extra year of eligibility, he kept his number (3), so Lancaster practiced in jersey No. 5. Presumably a seniority thing…

• Colin Lagasse, who started on offense before being tried at safety in the spring, worked with the receivers Wednesday.

• Beau Barnes, who started 12 games at defensive end last year before being tried this spring at linebacker, said (http://www.ponyfans.com/features/story.php?id=693) the switch appears to be the way the coaches plan to use him this fall.

• A lot of time spent on passing drills, of course, and with mixed results, due to … three new quarterbacks (Davis, Colbert, Severt)? Lots of new receivers? Undoubtedly some of both.

• OT Bo Antunovic is just learning the game, having suited up for the first time in the spring. But in some blocking drills, he got tried with the first- and second-team offensive lines. No, that is not an indication that he has made some meteoric ascent through the depth chart. OL coach Wes Suan spent the day trying lots of combinations of players, and surely will continue to do so. Antunovic is a project — albeit a project with enormous athletic potential — and the coaching staff seems intent on finding out just how quickly he can learn the responsibilities of playing the position.

• Some looked very good, though. WR Jeremiah Gaines made a number of nice grabs, including a few that required him to go up high to make catches on the sideline. Either he was going to catch the passes, or the ball would sail harmlessly out of bounds. WR Cedric Lancaster looked very smooth, catching everything within reach and creating separation with subtle fakes and changes of direction.

• Four former SMU players are going to be helping the coaching staff this season: former DB Jeremy Gray and former WR Ryan Walker are graduate assistants; former QB Kyle Padron and former LB Randall Joyner are volunteer assistants.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Good to hear some of the WRs are looking good so far.

[malonish]

Hey, Padron is back on campus!

[SMU21TCU10]

I mostly just want to see how Burcham looks during fall practice. Most important thing is whether he has greatly improved.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I mostly just want to see how Burcham looks during fall practice. Most important thing is whether he has greatly improved.

Definitely. I am looking forward to positive reports about Davis and/or Burcham - preferably both.

[PonyPlayer4]

I really hope Burcham makes it. I have had such high hopes after Dilfer hand him the accuracy award at his National Elite 11 camp.

[JoeKidd]

I really hope Burcham makes it. I have had such high hopes after Dilfer hand him the accuracy award at his National Elite 11 camp.

Agreed, I was excited about him until last year when he got thrown in the fire. I hope he has made huge leaps this year, bc honestly I don't see Davis being able to pick up the O quick enough to compete this year.