Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Defense shows its speed on second day of fall camp
08/08/2011 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 8, 2011
By Jason Clay
SIUSalukis.com
Saluki defense wants to pressure the QB, create more turnovers
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois football team held its second practice of fall camp Monday, going for over two hours in helmets on a cool morning thanks to the cloud cover.
The Salukis will be in shoulder pads and helmets for Tuesday's and Wednesday's practices. Then on Thursday, SIU will suit up in full pads for the first time, which is something that the players are looking forward to.
"It's kind of one of those hurry up and wait deals," senior safety Mike McElroy said. "We're excited though to be out there."
Until the team can go full-go, the coaching staff is establishing a good tempo at practice and making sure the team is focusing on execution at this point.
"All of us are excited to get back out and build chemistry with the team," fellow safety Rashad Graham said.
The defense is loaded with speed, and at Monday's practice it was obvious coming off the edge on the pass rush.
Junior college transfer Eze Obiora and redshirt junior Kenneth Boatright showed explosiveness from the defensive end position in one-on-one drills against the offensive linemen. The athleticism of those two, along with Chance Coda, who was a second team All-MVFC pick last season, will make it difficult for opposing teams to block the Saluki pass rush.
Add in the outside backers who bring even more speed, and the Salukis will be looking to put heavy heat on the QB this year.
"I think this is one of the more athletic teams that I have ever been a part of," McElroy said. "We're fast across the board. Our linebackers, our defensive ends, safeties and corners, they're all fast, can run and can jump.
"I think it's going to be exciting once we stop the run and that ball gets up in the air. There is going to be the potential for us to make some big plays."
Junior outside linebacker Jayson DiManche made one of those big plays Monday. In 7-on-7 work, DiManche retuned an interception for a touchdown after making an acrobatic catch.
Sophomore safety Boo Rodgers, the fastest player on the team, jumped a route to pick off a pass in the team session and he was able to easily return it for a TD.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Saluki wide receivers had a good day.
Senior Cam Fuller made several tough catches in one-on-one work against the secondary. He caught one pass across the middle in traffic and hauled in another deep ball with a defender draped all over.
Sophomore John Lantz was getting open with sharp routes and redshirt freshman Mike Cornely was able to make some plays catching the ball.
The Salukis have meetings and the team photo lined up for Monday afternoon and return to the practice fields Tuesday morning.
