August 27, 2002

ISAAC WEST, TAILBACKS IMPRESS IN
FURMAN PRACTICES TUESDAY

GREENVILLE -- Split end Isaac West and Furman's four tailbacks earned praise from Paladin head coach Bobby Lamb following a pair of practices Tuesday.

"Isaac West had a great day with some big catches and some good plays," said Lamb about the sophomore from Augusta, Ga. "He's really been impressive and has a chance to be a solid player for us the next three years."

As a redshirt freshman a year ago West caught 22 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair of scoring receptions in a 28-22 win over Appalachian State. His other touchdown catch came in a 24-20 comeback win over Western Kentucky in NCAA I-AA first round playoff action. The former Butler (Ga.) High School standout also returned 16 punts for 158 yards.

In addition to West, Paladin tailbacks Hindley Brigham (Birmingham, Ala.), Toreico O'Neal (Barnesville, Ga.), Lamar Rembert (Ocala, Fla.), and Brandon Mays (Arden, N.C.) earned compliments from Lamb.

"Our tailbacks are catching the ball out of the backfield better than any we've had here. They're making plays in the passing game, which is something we haven't done in the past but we feel like we have to now with their abilities."

In addition to continued work on offensive and defensive schemes and overall execution, the Paladins worked on their two-minute offense. Furman has one practice scheduled on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Furman sophomore nose guard Michael Burant (Lexington, Va.) is expected to miss at least two weeks of action after sustaining a sprained medial collateral ligament in Monday's afternoon practice, according to Lamb. Burant entered preseason practice as a contender with redshirt freshman Brant Glover (Gainesville, Ga.) for the starting job at nose guard -- the only vacancy created by graduation on the defensive front.