Full pads on Day Five of Saluki Football camp

Photo by: Tom Weber

08/05/2018 | 1:36:00 | Football

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By: By Tom Weber, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The pads were popping on Sunday at Saluki Stadium, the first day in full gear for the Saluki Football team. The defense set the tone early when linebacker Bryce Notree led a gang of defenders in stripping the ball from running back Nate Strong five yards shy of the goal line. The defense erupted in celebration. A few minutes later, running back Jonathan Mixon returned the favor by barreling over linebacker Makel Calhoun, prompting the offense to roar its approval.

To reduce injuries, players are instructed to "thud" and not block or tackle to the ground during the majority of practices.

"When we're just 'thud' it shows a lot of athleticism to be able to do 11-on-11 drills and there's not a lot of people on the ground," said head coach Nick Hill. "That shows signs of an athletic team, knowing where to go and being in the right position. When you have guys out of spots, that's when you have people falling all over each other. Our team has really learned in the last couple years how to practice and what our tempo should be like."

Starting QB Sam Straub continues to demonstrate full command of the offense and the arm talent to attack the defense anywhere on the field. Today, his most impressive throw came on a play when the pocket collapsed and he stepped up and threw a perfect deep strike to WR Darrell James. He also zipped the ball into tight windows for completions to WR Raphael Leonard and WR Sam Bonansinga.

Backup QB Matt DeSomer remains a dangerous run threat. On one play, the defense had every receiver covered, but DeSomer escaped the rush and scrambled for big yardage. Linebacker Luke Giegling got him on the next play, though, with a strip sack. Later, Giegling and OLB Bryson Strong converged to sack DeSomer.

With two senior quarterbacks, that doesn't leave a lot of reps for the other five QBs in camp. True freshman Nic Baker got to play a series in 11-on-11 and showed good escapability in the pocket, though he did not complete a pass.

Junior college transfer QB Stone Labanowitz, who learned the offense during spring ball, has a leg up to be the No. 3 signal caller for the Salukis, ahead of the four freshmen. He has the best pass completion percentage in practice so far, according to Hill, and has yet to turn the ball over.

"(The freshmen) can take their time and learn this thing so that next year when they're in a competition to be a starting quarterback, they're going to feel a lot different," Hill said. "They're going to feel like they've mastered this thing."

G ZeVeyon Furcron took reps with the first team at left guard and opened some holes. During 11-on-11 run-game work, he helped set up a big gain for RB Nate Strong. A third-year sophomore, Furcron started eight games on the defensive line last year.

"You have to give a lot of thought if you're going to move somebody that's played football for you, started games," Hill said. "We put a lot of thought into it and think Z can help us on the field this season. He's doing a great job of pushing those guys."

Offensive line coach Austin Flyger said he watched tape of Furcron playing offense in high school and thinks he fits well with SIU's blocking scheme.

"I liked his high school tape because they did a lot of the same things we do with some pulling," Flyger said. "He's picking up the offense and I'm really excited about him. Playing on defense, he knows the speed of the game."

Director of Athletics Jerry Kill has made frequent appearances at camp as a spectator to watch his former player lead the program he built. Hill said the coaching legend has been an invaluable resource.

"I understand what his expectations are — be accountable and do your job the best you can, no shortcuts," Hill said. "He'll be a big help for me. I've had to walk down to his office many times and asked, 'what do you think about this?' He's a leader at managing teams. Little questions, training camp questions, days off questions, how much rest, do you think I should push this kid or give this guy a day off? All those type of things, he's a good mentor for me."