August 26, 1999
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN'S JOHNSON CONCERNED
ABOUT ELON'S WISHBONE ATTACK

GREENVILLE -- Furman head coach Bobby Johnson expressed concern Friday about his squad's ability to prepare to defend the wishbone offense utilized by Elon, the Paladins' season opening opponent.

"It's very obvious that it was a good thing we started on Elon's wishbone today and not wait any longer because, number one, our scout team is not very good running it and, number two, we have not seen enough wishbone plays to even come close to thinking we can play it," Johnson said following his squad's Friday afternoon practice. "We think we've got a good plan, but we've got to make sure we see it over and over again, and continue to recognize plays. That will be up to our scout team to give us a good picture, but right now they just don't have the experience."

Offensively, Furman continued to narrow down its game plan in preparation for next Saturday's season opening contest. The Paladins knocked off Elon 38-20 two years ago in Paladin Stadium the last time the two schools met.

The play of several freshmen continued to impress Furman's coaching staff, and it appears at least a half dozen true freshmen will earn spots on the Paladin varsity.

"It looks like LeBryan Sperling and Eddie Overdyke will have to be available. We've got some injured players on the defensive front, so we'll count on them." The Paladins continue to be without the services of defensive tackles Ryan Bussard (shoulder) and Peter Kamm (ankle), and nose guard Jarrod Holmes. Holmes practiced on Tuesday for the first time, but was forced back to sideline on Wednesday with a tender hamstring.

Furman will practice at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday before taking Sunday off. The Paladins will return to the practice field Monday afternoon.

Furman Notes: The kickoff for Furman's Oct. 30 game against North Carolina has been set for 1:30 p.m. The Furman Paladin Club will host its annual Paladin Fall Kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 2 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency-Greenville.