August 15, 2003

FURMAN GEARS UP FOR SATURDAY SCRIMMAGE;
SEVERAL STARTING POSITIONS UP FOR GRABS

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins used two practices on Friday to gear up for Saturday's 2:30 p.m. scrimmage in Paladin Stadium that will highlight Fan Day, which gets underway with a player autogragh session in Timmons Arena at 1:00 p.m.

A Friday morning workout in full gear and afternoon practice in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets set the stage for Saturday's scrimmage that Lamb hopes will afford the coaching staff one of its best evaluation sessions of the preseason.

"We'll try to get a look at everybody, particularly the younger guys and the players who are battling for starting jobs and backup slots at a couple of positions," Lamb said late Friday afternoon. "We'll do as much as possible."

In addition to the expected focus on several younger players, Lamb said he will pay close attention to work of the squad's offensive guards, wide receivers, and tight ends, where starting roles have yet to be claimed. Four sophomores ‹ Clayton Dyson, Patrick Covington, Corey Stewart, and Air Force transfer Andrew Thornburg ‹ are in the hunt for the two starting guard slots, and at wide receiver redshirt freshman Justin Stepp and sophomore Vanderbilt transfer Grant Brigham have emerged as the strongest candidates for the opening created by junior Isaac West's suspension prior to the start of the preseason.

At tight end, sophomore John Rust and redshirt freshman Brad Bell have stepped into the void created by the suspension of two-time all-conference performer Willis Sudderth. The long term status of both West and Sudderth, who have yet to practice, will not be known until the university and Lamb announce disciplinary action, which is expected next week.

Another position expected to earn attention is cornerback, where sophomore Keith Johnson has stepped in for Maurice Duncan, who has been sidelined with a strained hamstring since Sunday.

Furman got a boost on Friday with the return of defensive linemen Wesley Bray and Justin Porter, who missed Thursday's practice due to heat cramps and a knee strain, respectively. True freshman Lutrell Alford, who was sidelined with a neck strain on Thursday, also returned to the field on Friday.

"It's good to get Wesley, Justin, and Lutrell back on the field because it gives us the numbers we need for a complete scrimmage," added Lamb.

Redshirt freshman Tony Palazzo, sidelined with a neck strain since Wednesday, will not take part in Saturday's session, and the Paladins will be forced to deal without the services of projected starting center Craig Morgan after the junior sustained a mild concussion in practice earlier in the week.

Lamb announced on Friday that senior All-Southern Conference placekicker Danny Marshall had captured the team's kickoff duties and again indicated that the Paladin senior also appears to be the leading candidate to take over punting duties.