Football Practice Report: Bulls Get In Full Practice With Pads 08/08

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

Football Practice Report: Bulls Get In Full Practice With Pads

TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 8, 2007) – The University of South Florida football team hit the field Wednesday evening for its third practice in opening week. The Bulls’ practiced from 8-10 p.m. on campus and were able to run through plays and drills in their shoulder pads for the first time.

“It was very intense tonight,” Leavitt said. “They worked hard and there was a lot of hitting—we really hit tonight. You could tell that we had a number of guys back tonight that were farther along. It’s only our third practice and we really have quite a bit in. We had a lot of work on our punt team. We’ve had a lot of work for three days on our punt team.”

After the team broke up into positional groups, the offense and defense had a chance to line up against each other for the first time. Both sides played each other tough and matched up well, with each making a big play on the other. Wide receiver Colby Erskin made a great catch down the sideline and ran for extra yards, and defensive back Ryan Gilliam intercepted a pass.

Sophomore Nate Allen is getting in his time on the field. After moving over form quarterback to defensive back a season ago because of his athleticism, he could see more action in 2007. 

“Nate’s doing good,” Leavitt said. “I am really proud of him. He could probably be one of our quarterbacks right now. I have no doubt that if he was at quarterback he’d be competing right now. He wouldn’t compete with Grothe, but he’d be competing right in there.”

“He’s got it all, but he’s young and he’s still going to make a number of mistakes,” Leavitt added. “But it means a lot to him and when he makes a mistake he really coaches himself and really tries to correct it. “He’s a neat guy and he has a chance to be a real good player. He’s 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and he runs well and is strong.”

The Bulls will return to the practice field Thursday from 8-10 p.m.