Football Focus Shifts to Season Opener
August 22, 2003 | Football
The Pirates spent nearly four hours on the fields at the Cliff Moore Practice Facility during two separate practice sessions. With the exception of one day off, ECU has been going non-stop with its daily practices since Aug. 7.
"The biggest thing right now is trying to get guys' legs back and make sure they understand what the scheme is and what we're trying to get accomplished," defensive coordinator Jerry Odom said Friday between practice sessions. "We're starting to turn our focus a little more toward Cincinnati. It's a little bit different because it's your first time doing stuff like that and you're trying to teach them how you want them to practice and compete on a daily basis. The kids are doing a nice job and they're trying hard."
Odom had praise for his secondary, which has been making plays and breaking up passes during each of the preseason scrimmages.
"The secondary has come a long way since when I first got here," he said. "We've got to keep coming; we're not there yet, but we've gotten better in the techniques that we're teaching. If we keep doing that, then I think we'll be a good unit."
A single Saturday practice is on the agenda before a two-day break for meetings and managing academics. Classes start at ECU on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
The Pirates and Bearcats will kick off on Labor Day Monday, Sept. 1, at 12 noon in a game televised nationally by ESPN from Cincinnati's 35,000-seat Nippert Stadium.
