FAU offensive lineman Erik Hansen participates in contact drills earlier in training camp. (Owl Access Photo)
'Ready to Rumble'
The Owls are excited to hold a scrimmage as part of FAU's FanFest on Saturday.
Originally published on
8/17/2012
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini doesn't want preseason training camp to end.
For players it can't end soon enough.
But after Saturday's scrimmage at FanFest, camp unofficially comes to an end and preparation for Wagner intensifies.
“I wish I had a month more, but I am excited about what we have accomplished. We have come a long way in a short period of time,” Owls coach carl Pelini said.
FAU will show how far it has come during Saturday's first public scrimmage, which is expected to last around 75 minutes, Pelini said.
However, don't expect anything too fancy, Pelini added.
“Very vanilla,” Pelini said. “You are not going to see a lot of offense or a lot of defense. This is that final scrimmage before we post a depth chart so rather than trying to trick each other on both sides of the ball, it's going to be about, play your base stuff, run your base plays and let's see who can block and tackle and use their hands and do the important fundamentals that are involved in a football game. We'll take care of the scheme week-to-week, but it's who can play with great effort, great fundamentals and execute.”
The scrimmage will be the last chance for players to show the coaching staff what they can do before a depth chart is formed for when the Owls return to practice on Monday.
And there are other reasons players are looking forward to the scrimmage.
“We are ready to rumble,” said FAU linebacker David Hinds. “It will be in the stadium, in front of the fans and should be a lot of fun.”
QB battle keeps going: Although Pelini said he will have a depth chart ready on Monday, he said not only will it remain fluid, but he won't decide on a starting quarterback until just prior to FAU's opening-game against Wagner.
“We'll have a depth chart on Monday, but that depth chart could still change,” Pelini said.
One of the quarterbacks could be taking more reps with the starting offensive unit starting next week, but Pelini still wants competition to continue until the last practice before the game.
“In our minds, we'll have an idea what direction we are going,” Pelini said.