March 3, 2003

FURMAN TO OPEN SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE TUESDAY;
PALADINS RETURN 50 LETTERMEN, 15 STARTERS

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins are set to open spring football practice on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. according to head coach Bobby Lamb, whose squad returns 50 lettermen and 15 starters off last year's 8-4 NCAA I-AA nationally ninth-ranked playoff squad.

According to NCAA regulations, Furman has 29 days to complete 15 practices. Eight of the 15 practices will be contact workouts, including three full scrimmages scheduled for March 8, 15, and 22 in Paladin Stadium. Furman's first two practices on Tuesday and Wednesday will be in shorts and helmets only.

"We're anxious to get underway," said Lamb on Monday afternoon. "Spring practice is for the guys who were backups last year and for the redshirts. It gives them an opportunity to display their talent for the coaching staff in live situations."

According to Lamb, major points of emphasis for the Paladins include finding replacements for nine departed starters, including quarterback and three positions on the offensive line. Among the contenders competing for the starting quarterback job vacated by the graduating Billy Napier are rising juniors Bo Moore and Jeremiah Van Dora, and redshirt freshman Josh Stepp.

Furman opens its 2003 season on Aug. 31 when it entertains new Southern Conference member Elon.

2003 Furman Spring Practice Schedule
(All Practices Dates/Times Subject To Change)

March 4 -- 3:30 p.m.
March 5 -- 3:30 p.m.
March 7 -- 3:30 p.m.
March 8 -- 9:30 a.m. (Scrimmage in Paladin Stadium)
TBA -- TBA
March 15 -- 9:30 a.m.. (Scrimmage in Paladin Stadium)
TBA -- TBA March 22 -- 12:30 p.m.
(Scrimmage in Paladin Stadium)

COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Bobby Lamb
Alma Mater, Year: Furman '86
Record At School (Years): 8-4 (2nd Year)
Career Record (Years): 8-4 (2nd Year)
Football Office Phone: (864) 294-2120
Best Day/Time To Reach Coach: Weekday Mornings
Assistant Coaches (Alma Mater, Responsibilities):
Drew Cronic (Georgia '97, Wide Receivers);
Julius Dixon (Furman '90, Defensive Ends);
Allen Edwards (Furman '93, Defensive Line);
Jeff Farrington (The Citadel '82, Defensive Backs);
Ben Hall (Furman '00, Tight Ends);
Clay Hendrix (Furman '86, Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line);
Bob Price (Appalachian State '81, Specialists);
Tim Sorrells (Furman '81, Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs);
Steve Wilson (Furman '77, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers).

TEAM INFORMATION
Overall Record Last Year: 8-4
Conference Record, Finsh: 6-2 (T3rd)
NCAA I-AA Playoffs: (First Round)
Final Ranking (Poll): 9th (The Sports Network)
Basic Offense: Multiple I
Basic Defense: 43

Lettermen Lost: 16
Offense (10): Steven Cain (OT), Eric Emerson (FB), Trevor Kruger (OG), Billy Napier (QB), Toreico O¹Neal (TB), Justin Price (OG), Bear Rinehart (FLK), Andy Rump (SE), Corey Tant (TB), James Thomas (SE).
Defense (5): Rodney Johnson (CB), Andrew Knight (LB), Chris Lowery (CB), Eddie Overdyke (DE), LeBryan Sperling (DT).
Specialists (1): Brian Kovach (KO).

Lettermen Returning: 50
Offense (21): Ben Bainbridge (OT), Brandon Berry (FB), Brian Bratton (FLK), Hindley Brigham (TB), Daric Carter (SE), Patrick Covington (OT), Clayton Dyson (OG), Will Keller (TE), Brian Laggis (OT), John Marks (OT), Brandon Mays (TB), Al Means (FB), Bo Moore (QB), Craig Morgan (C), Justin Perdue (TE), Lamar Rembert (TB), John Rust (TE), Stephen Schroeder (OT), Corey Stewart (C/OG), Willis Sudderth (TE), Isaac West (SE).
Defense (25): Keenan Adams (DE), Paul Billingsly (SS), Michael Burant (NG), Andrew Carson (LB), Nick Dean (SS), Maurice Duncan (CB), William Freeman (LB), Brant Glover (NG), Lockwood Holmes (CB), Keith Johnson (CB), Travis Jones (DE), Mike Killian (LB), David Latimer (SS), Jon MacDonald (CB), Cam Newton (FS), Brandon Poole (DE), Jusin Porter (NG), Cedrick Ritter (LB), Johnny Shields (DE), Josh Slagle (LB), Daniel South (FS), Ken Striggles (NG), Keito Whetstone (LB), T.J. Wilson (CB), Ken Yuhas (DE).
Specialists (3): Danny Marshall (PK), Glenn Smith (LSN), Jeremiah Van Dora (HO)

Starters Lost: 9
Offense (6): Steven Cain (OT), Eric Emerson (FB), Trevor Kruger (OG), Billy Napier (QB), Justin Price (OG), Bear Rinehart (FLK).
Defense (3): Rodney Johnson (CB), Eddie Overdyke (DE), LeBryan Sperling (DT).
Specialists (0):

Starters Returning: 15
Offense (5): Ben Bainbridge (OT), Hindley Brigham (TB), Craig Morgan (C), Willis Sudderth (TE), Isaac West (SE).
Defense (8): Paul Billingsly (SS), Mike Killian (LB), Cam Newton (FS), Brandon Poole (DE), Justin Porter (NG), Cedric Ritter (LB), Keito Whetstone (LB), T.J. Wilson (CB).
Specialists (2): Danny Marshall (PK), Bo Moore (P).