August 13, 2001

JOHNSON LAUDS PHYSICAL CONDITION OF PALADIN UPPERCLASSMEN;
NAPIER AND JOHNSON PERFORM WELL

GREENVILLE -- Furman coach Bobby Johnson praised the physical condition of his team Monday during a rainy practice which featured the full squad for the first time this season.

"On the conditioning tests we are doing now, which we have been doing for about nine years, we had the best results we have ever had," said Johnson. "In addition the freshman, who don't normally do as well because they don't know what to expect on the tests, did extremely well."

Johnson said the upperclassmen who stayed in town are in great shape, but was especially impressed by those who had to spend the summer training on their own.

"Coach (Wayne) Brown did a great job on the 40 or so guys who stayed in town this summer," said Johnson, "but I was especially impressed with the ones who didn't stay here, because it is harder to make yourself work when you are by yourself and don't have your teammates to encourage you."

In addition, Johnson commented on the work of junior quarterback Billy Napier and senior cornerback Rodney Johnson, who is returning from a knee injury suffered last season. "Billy is doing a great job and is just where we want him to be. Rodney (Johnson) looks like he has never been injured before and you could tell by looking at Rodney that he enjoyed being back. He was running around just like he normally does and that was good to see."

Furman continues two-a-day practices in shorts and helmets through Wednesday before going to full pads on Thursday. Practices begin at 6:20 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. and are open to the public. Fan Day is scheduled for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Timmons Arena prior to Furman's scrimmage, which starts at approximately 2:30 p.m. at Paladin Stadium.

Furman, which opens the 2001 season at Wyoming on Sept. 1, returns 19 starters off a 2000 squad that posted a 9-3 record and ranked No. 10 in the Sports Network final poll.