Wednesday (8/10/11) practice report

[PonyPride]

• LB Cameron Rogers, who sat out Tuesday's workout with a sleeve on his left knee, skipped Wednesday's session, as well, to go get an MRO and X-Ray done. He didn't have any results back immediately, but did say the knee is feeling better.

• With Rogers out of the lineup, Randall Joyner took his place with the first-team defense (Kevin Pope filled the role Tuesday).

• Freshman OL Dontae Levingston left practice holding his right hand. He said after practice that he "got hit" on the hand, and when asked how bad it was, responded, "it's cool."

• During the skeleton passing drills held early in the practice session, the best catch was turned in by freshman WR Arrius Holleman, who ran an intermediate crossing route and, when the ball was thrown slightly behind him, reached back behind him and hauled in the pass with one hand. WR Keenan Holman made a similar one-handed catch, snaring a high pass while backpedaling, but stumbled a little after making the reception.

• One player who has impressed several teammates has been WR Steve Nelson, who has made tough catches repeatedly, including receptions on balls thrown behind him or thrown low, requiring him to lay out for the ball.

• Defensive coordinator Tom Mason (and several players) have said the Mustangs are re-committing themselves to creating defensive takeaways. To that end, more players are racing to the ball, even after players are ruled over, to make sure they're in position to pounce on the ball if it pops free.

• After special teams drills with assistant coach Frank Gansz, Jr., the skill-position guys went to seven-on-seven drills, which started with WR Der'Rikk Thompson going up high for a pass over his head from QB J.J. McDermott.

• The catch of the day in the seven-on-seven drills came when QB Conner Preston found WR Darius Johnson over the middle on a crossing route. Preston's throw was low, but Johnson dove to make the catch, despite the presence of two defenders on his back.

• Moments later, Preston fired another pass over the middle on a crossing route, but didn't see LB Jonathan Yenga coming from the other side of the field. Yenga cut in front of the pass, which hit him in the numbers ... but dropped what should have been an easy interception.

• With the players in shoulder pads and helmets for the second straight day, there again was more hitting than on the first two days, and one of the better hits came during seven-on-seven drills, when CB Richard Crawford closed in on WR Darius Joseph. Crawford arrived just after the ball arrived and popped Joseph, knocking the ball free.

• After seven-on-seven drills, the team went to full 11-on-11 drills, and WR Cole Loftin made one of the nicest receptions of the early part of camp when he dove to his left to snatch a J.J. McDermott pass inches above the grass.

• Rookie hazing? No, but it was a little difficult to feel sorry for freshman RB Jared Williams, who took a handoff from QB Kyle Padron and was instantly tackled — by his head — by DE Szymon Czerniak.

• Among those in attendance at practice Wednesday: former NT Serge Elizee and former LB Alex Odiari.

• Making something out of nothing: On one play, an errant snap got past QB J.J. McDermott, who turned and chased the ball as it bounced into the throng of extra players who were waiting their turns to get on the field. McDermott scooped up the ball, turned and fired the ball downfield, where he slipped his pass between two defenders and into the hands of WR Cole Beasley. Yes, several defensive players backed off when McDermott chased the ball into the players watching behind the line of scrimmage, but a few did not, and McDermott's ability to locate Beasley downfield and get the ball to him was remarkable.

• QB Kyle Padron looked sharp again Wednesday, and his best pass might have been one that fell incomplete. Near the end of practice, Padron stepped up into the pocket and fired a pass about 20 yards upfield toward WR Jeremy Johnson, who had a defensive back glued to each side of him. That left a window of about a foot — maybe — in which to deliver the ball to Johnson's hands, and Padron put it right on target. Johnson dove for the pass and was upset that he didn't make the catch, but the pass itself was perfect.

• For the third time in two days, S Justin Sorrell jumped a route and intercepted a pass from QB Steve Kaiser.

• One of the best defensive plays of the day was turned in by DB Brett Haness, who ducked under the arm of WR Darius Johnson on a crossing route and dove in front of him to knock away a pass on a crossing route.

[SMU 86]

Holleman and Holman will be a good tandem one day.

[Wuba]

Errant snap. Where have I seen that before? Ugh.

[PonyPride]

Wuba: to be fair, I might have phrased that badly, since from my angle, I couldn't see too clearly whether the snap was off-target or if it was bobbled by McDermott. Either way, he did a great job recovering the ball and getting the pass off.

[cutter]

Wuba: to be fair, I might have phrased that badly, since from my angle, I couldn't see too clearly whether the snap was off-target or if it was bobbled by McDermott. Either way, he did a great job recovering the ball and getting the pass off.

that's good to hear. I cringed a bit, too, when I read that.

all around, it continues to sound like we have great depth at all positions. I keep thinking it's too bad they can't all be on the field at once -- which is better than even last year, when you held your breath as soon as a starter goes down.

I'm sure it's happening, but it would be nice to hear of plays where the qbs hit some receiver in stride and they take it downfield. Maybe it's just me, but hearing descriptions of diving for balls, laying out for catches, jumping high to snag a pass..... I mean, it's great that the receivers are that talented and athletic, but I'm hoping for a lot more yac than last year in order to really see the offense hum. sorry, just venting my anxiety.

thanks for all the updates.

[Junior]

I don't recall seeing anything on DJ3 so far. Anything to report there?

[PonyPride]

I don't recall seeing anything on DJ3 so far. Anything to report there?

• The catch of the day in the seven-on-seven drills came when QB Conner Preston found WR Darius Johnson over the middle on a crossing route. Preston's throw was low, but Johnson dove to make the catch, despite the presence of two defenders on his back.

[RyanSMU98]

Wuba: to be fair, I might have phrased that badly, since from my angle, I couldn't see too clearly whether the snap was off-target or if it was bobbled by McDermott. Either way, he did a great job recovering the ball and getting the pass off.

that's good to hear. I cringed a bit, too, when I read that.

all around, it continues to sound like we have great depth at all positions. I keep thinking it's too bad they can't all be on the field at once -- which is better than even last year, when you held your breath as soon as a starter goes down.

I'm sure it's happening, but it would be nice to hear of plays where the qbs hit some receiver in stride and they take it downfield. Maybe it's just me, but hearing descriptions of diving for balls, laying out for catches, jumping high to snag a pass..... I mean, it's great that the receivers are that talented and athletic, but I'm hoping for a lot more yac than last year in order to really see the offense hum. sorry, just venting my anxiety.

thanks for all the updates.

I was thinking the exact same thing about letting the WR's take off with the ball after the catch. I also noticed that most of the reports of low/slightly behind passes seem to revolved around our reserve QB's. How is Kyle doing with his accuracy? Saw the one mention but have been curious if this will be his breakout year or not.

[Junior]

I don't recall seeing anything on DJ3 so far. Anything to report there?

• The catch of the day in the seven-on-seven drills came when QB Conner Preston found WR Darius Johnson over the middle on a crossing route. Preston's throw was low, but Johnson dove to make the catch, despite the presence of two defenders on his back.

My bad PP, I read that as Darius Joseph when I read it. I feel much better now and will quit wasting your time.

Thanks for all the updates and pics. I look forward to this every day!

[AusTxPony]

Haven't seen any reporting on the kicking game. Anything going on out there? Who is punting, field goals, kick offs?

[PonyPride]

That's harder to evaluate, because when the team is on the practice field, the kickers are inside Ford Stadium (although there will be a note in Thursday's report). I'll be able to get more information when they go to two-a-day workouts.