Football Training Camp Notes: Week 1

Photo by Matt Thompson, Director of Football Operations

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team wrapped up its first week of practice Monday afternoon with a light scrimmage on the Walkup Skydome field, the first significant live action of the fall training camp.

“We had a good exchange,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “Our emphasis was to improve our quality of play in 11 vs. 11 team setting. Yesterday (during live action) we competed well, we just did not play very well. Today we had a lot better control. I thought our guys played a cleaner game.”

Souers credited the play of the running backs Monday, especially the play of freshman Zach Bauman, a signee from Chandler Hamilton High School. He helped his team to back-to-back state championships, while setting the school single-season record for touchdowns and scoring.

“Our running backs ran well behind our offensive line and popped a couple really nice runs,” said Souers. “Bauman looks like a natural back there. We are real pleased with the development of our young running backs behind a quality offensive line. Both of them shined today.”

Souers said the defense is still looking for a consistent effort.

“On defense we are not consistent yet but we are showing some great signs,” said Souers. “We are getting some pass rush and quality coverage. It is a matter of continuing to rep.”

The feature scrimmage of the training camp will be conducted on Saturday, August 21 during the second half of practice scheduled 10:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.

“We need to really assess our depth chart and see the guys in more situational type conditions,” said Souers. “When we get to Saturday we hope to present more game type flow and red zone type situations. Watching our guys play on Saturday will provide a lion’s share of information we have to set our depth charts.”

“Our attitude and work ethic has been phenomenal. I am very pleased with the attitude and approach to working hard through the pain of doubles. They are very coachable and coming out and improving every day.”

Sports Network Poll: The voters in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 have chosen 2009 national champion Villanova first in the 2010 preseason poll with the Lumberjacks listed at No. 27 overall among the others receiving votes in the Preseason Top 25 released on Monday. NAU has been ranked as high as No. 9 by Phil Steele’s Preseason Magazine. Montana, which has lost in the last two FCS championship games, was the No. 2 team in the poll. The Grizzlies were followed in the top five by Appalachian State, William & Mary and Southern Illinois. Other Big Sky schools ranked included Eastern Washington at No. 13, Weber State at No. 19 and Montana State at No. 24.

Three Dot Data…Former standouts Ed Berry and Zac McNally are finishing their degrees this year and working with the team as student managers. Berry, who was in camp with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this summer, led team with 75 catches for 1,075 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009. McNally recorded 41 tackles on the season, the ninth-best total on the team, with two interceptions last year…Former NFL player and NAU Hall of Famer Travis Brown made an appearance at practice last week. He was in Flagstaff watching Arizona Cardinals draft pick John Skelton practice. He worked with Skelton, who played at Fordham, prior to the draft. Skelton led the Cardinals to a victory with two fourth quarter touchdowns. on Saturday. Arizona Daily Sun sports editor Daniel Berk wrote a great story about Brown and his work with Skelton. Check it out here...Former NFL player Reggie Cobb, a scout for the San Francisco 49ers, was at practice on Monday…Former Lumberjack Alex Henderson begins is UFL career on Wednesday when the training camp for the Las Vegas Locomotives opens. Henderson will play for coach Jim Fassel and play behind former NFL running back Marcel Shipp.