August 22, 2000

FURMAN NARROWING FOCUS
ON SEASON OPENER

GREENVILLE -- With only two days of two-a-day practices remaining, Furman head coach Bobby Johnson says his squad is beginning to turn its attention to preparation for the Paladins' season opener against Elon on Sept. 2.

"We're starting to narrow down the number of players we will need and concentrate on things we want to do when we open the season next weekend," Johnson said following his team's Tuesday afternoon practice in shorts and helmets. "We're trying to polish what we've already put in and make decisions about positions, but that's tough to do when they're not all out there. We're trying to get back to full strength."

Despite the absence of several regulars who have been slowed with injuries in the pre-season, Wednesday's situational scrimmages left Johnson encouraged.

"I thought they did a good job today dealing with different situations, different downs and distances like they will see in a game. We're trying to get them into that game mode, into some rhythm."

Drawing Johnson's praise on Tuesday was senior split end Zach Smerdzinski, who last year caught 30 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown.

"Zach hasn't been 100 percent, but he's played hard and hasn't missed a practice. That's really helped us because we've had so many receivers out."

The Paladins should receive a boost on Wednesday with the expected return of junior defensive lineman Steve DeBeer, who has missed much of the pre-season after suffering a concussion. DeBeer started at nose guard in the final three games of the 1999 season.

Furman's Wednesday practice schedule includes a morning session at 9:00 a.m. and later under the lights at Paladin Stadium beginning at 7:00 p.m.