August 14, 1998
GREENVILLE -- Furman officially opened its 1998 pre-season on Friday with a pair of practice sessions for the squad's 23 newcomers.
"It's good to get started, good to stop worrying about so many details and just get after it," said head coach Bobby Johnson following Friday afternoon's two-hour practice. "We've got a lot to do and we're going to move as fast as we can but not too fast," Johnson added after working with his squad of 18 freshmen and five walk-ons in installing the team's offense and defensive schemes.
Johnson stated his was generally pleased with the physical shape of his young players and in their overall size and speed. And he cited the work of junior walk-on tight end Patrick Garner, who is bidding to make FurmanÕs squad following a season of play with the school's basketball program.
"Patrick Garner is working hard and picking up things quickly. He has good hands and he catches the ball well.
Friday's practices marked Garner's first football involvement since the eighth grade. The 6-foot-9 former Wade Hampton High School basketball standout weighed in at 258 pounds Thursday.
The Paladin freshmen will practice twice Saturday and will be joined
by approximately 67 upperclassmen, who report to pre-season camp Saturday
afternoon. The first full squad practice is scheduled for 6:20 a.m. Monday
morning.