SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State football team will begin official preparations for the 2009 season when it takes to field on Monday, Aug. 10, for its first official practice at 4 p.m. Due to NCAA regulations, the team will not wear pads during the first two practices.
The first practice in full pads will come on Fri., Aug. 14, and the first double-day session will come on Sat., Aug.15. Sacramento State will have a pair of scrimmages during the 28-practice slate. The first will come at 10 a.m. on Sat., Aug. 22. The second will take place on Sat., Aug. 29, at 9:50 a.m. All practice times are subject to change.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Mon., Aug. 10
4:00-6:15 p.m.
shorts/helmets
Tue., Aug. 11
4:00-6:15 p.m.
shorts/helmets
Wed., Aug. 12
6:45-9:00 p.m.
half pads
Thur., Aug. 13
4:15-6:30 p.m.
half pads
Fri., Aug. 14
3:30-5:45 p.m.
full pads
Sat., Aug. 15
9:00-11:00 a.m.
full pads
7:15-8:45 p.m.
full pads
Sun., Aug. 16
4:15-5:00 p.m.
walk through
Mon., Aug. 17
9:00-11:00 a.m.
full pads
7:15-8:45 p.m.
shells
Tue., Aug. 18
3:00-5:15 p.m.
full pads
Wed., Aug. 19
9:00-11:00 a.m.
full pads
Thur., Aug. 20
9:00-11:00 a.m.
full pads
Fri., Aug. 21
9:30-11:00 a.m.
shells
Sat., Aug. 22
10:00 a.m.
Scrimmage
Mon., Aug. 24
9:00-11:00 a.m.
full pads
3:30-5:00 p.m.
shells
Tue., Aug. 25
9:00-11:00 a.m.
full pads
Wed., Aug. 26
9:00-11:00 a.m.
full pads
3:30-5:00 p.m.
shells
Thur., Aug. 27
9:00-11:15 a.m.
full pads
Fri., Aug. 28
9:30-11:00 a.m.
shells
Sat., Aug. 29
9:50 a.m.
Scrimmage
Mon., Aug. 31
3:00-5:15 p.m.
full pads
Tue., Sept. 1
3:00-5:15 p.m.
full pads
Wed., Sept. 2
7:15-9:30 p.m.
full pads
Thur., Sept. 3
3:15-4:45 p.m.
shells
Fri., Sept. 4
TBA
Travel to UNLV
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• Due to the fact that the NCAA is only allowing teams to play the traditional 11 games this season, the Hornets will open training camp a wekk later than last season.
• Unlike last year, Sacramento State's experience lies on the offensive side of the ball in 2009. The team returns its leading passer, Jason Smith, a pair of running backs (Evander Wilkins and Jake Croxdale), five players who started games on the offensive line (Matt Lemley, Peter Lenz, Clint Lessard, John Taylor and Pat Walsh) as well as a handful of receivers and tight ends.
NEW TO THE MIX
The most interesting position battle on offense will come at running back where Wilkins and Croxdale will be challenged by newcomer Terrance Dailey. The former Vacaville High School standout played last season at Washington where he led the Huskies in rushing. With the Hornets, he will be reunited with former VHS teammates Peter Buck, Zack Nash and Johnny Feaster. Wilkins recorded a pair of 100-yard games early last season before a knee injury cut his year short. Croxdale received the majority of the work during the spring and will look to continue to increase his role.
ON THE MOVE
A couple of players will move positions on defense. Most notably, Deionte Gordon, who led the team in interceptions as a true freshman, will shift from cornerback to safety. His move allows Buck to move from safety to linebacker.
BIG SHOES TO FILL
The biggest question mark on defense will be at linebacker where the Hornets have to replace all three starters from last season. Not only did Mike Brannon, Mike Hickman and Cyrus Mulitalo man the middle for every game last season, the three each earned all-Big Sky Conference honors, including first team accolades for Brannon and Mulitalo. The contenders for the jobs include Buck, returners Greg Johnson, David Coleman, Carlo Trinchero and Geoff Warner, and junior college transfer Jared Pereira.
