Aug. 13, 2013. Following its first day off of fall camp on Sunday, Appalachian State University football returned to the field on Monday for a pair of practice sessions at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The Mountaineers practiced for slightly more than an hour on Monday morning in helmets and shorts and held a two-hour and fifteen minute session in the afternoon.
Appalachian State’s second practice of the day saw the Mountaineers don full pads with several periods of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills on a humid day in the High Country.
Both sides of the ball made big plays during the 7-on-7 periods. The offensive highlight came on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Jamal Londry-Jackson to Sean Price while interceptions by Anthony Covington and Michael Frazier headlined the defensive effort. Covington’s interception was perhaps the most impressive play of the 7-on-7 drills, as the true freshman not only jumped a route to pick off a pass by Londry-Jackson but took it the other way for a long touchdown return.
Appalachian’s defense stole the show during the first 11-0n-11 period of the afternoon. Deuce Robinon recorded a sack on the third play of the period while Austin Chambers and Olawale Dada combined to bring down Marcus Cox behind the line of scrimmage four plays later. Dada also recorded another tackle for loss on the final play of the period while Alex Gray had one of the biggest hits of the day when he brought down Paul Magloire after an eight-yard run.
The Mountaineers simulated third-down-and-eight plays in the next-to-last 11-on-11 period of the afternoon. Much like it had in the initial full-team drills of the afternoon, the defense stood out in the early going, highlighted by sacks by Dada and true freshman Nathaniel Norwood. However, the offense responded by picking up four-straight first downs to wrap up the third-and-eight situational period.
Practice wrapped up with what has become a daily routine – a two-minute drill pitting the fatigued offense and defensive units against each other after nearly three and a half hours on the practice field. The offense shined in the grueling period, picking up four straight first downs to set up a one-yard touchdown plunge by Ricky Fergerson.
Monday’s practices also featured extensive special teams work, highlighted by a 96-yard touchdown by Tony Washington during the kick-return portion of the afternoon workout.
Appalachian State continues preseason preparations today with one afternoon practice.
Practices are closed to the general public but full reports will be available throughout fall camp at appstatesports.com.