Injuries Force Adjustments at Center
8/10/2011 8:08:58 PM | Football
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Wednesday's preseason football practice presented a challenge for head coach Doug Marrone and his Orange squad the offensive line was hampered by injuries to three of the four centers on the roster.
"We had four centers going into camp and we had just one by the end of today's practice," Marrone said. "Probably, for me, that is the first time it has happened."
Sophomore Macky MacPherson took a majority of the snaps with the offense throughout practice until freshman Jesse Wolf-Gould, who played center in high school, stepped in to take a few snaps. Seniors Ian Allport and Nick Lepak, along with freshman Rob Trudo were all sidelined by injuries.
"If you throw someone in there that's never really played that position, it isn't fair to the unit," Marrone said. "Jesse Wolf-Gould played center in high school, and we put him in there today and he did a nice job for us. I give him credit.
"This team is made up of scholarship players and non-scholarship players, and they're all treated the same. But I give a lot of credit to the non-scholarship players. They're tough, they try to do everything we say, and they've really helped us be able to practice."
The other side of the line of scrimmage has caught Marrone's attention during the first six days of camp.
"Defensively, I think they've done a nice job," said Marrone of the defensive unit that ranked seventh nationally in total defense last year. "They went out there today and practiced well.
"The ends, Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich, have played well. (Sophomore linebacker) Marquis Spruill has done a nice job and (freshman free safety) Durrell Eskridge has stepped in and done a nice job for us."
Marrone also announced Wednesday that offensive line coach Greg Adkins has returned to the team following a non-life threatening medical situation that forced him to miss the first five days of preseason camp.
"Coach Adkins came back today and was in the building," Marrone said. "He will be evaluated for a bit and then get back out on the field."
In Adkins' absence, Marrone had assumed the responsibility of coaching the offensive line. Adkins is entering his third season with the Orange.
SU kicks off the 2011 season on Thursday, September 1 against Wake Forest in the Carrier Dome (8:00 p.m., ESPN3). Individual and season tickets are available online and at the Dome Box Office (1-888-DOME-TIX).
Fans are invited to the annual Fanfest on Friday, August 12 at 3:00 p.m. on the Katz-Schwartzwalder practice fields behind Manley Field House.
Wednesday's preseason football practice presented a challenge for head coach Doug Marrone and his Orange squad the offensive line was hampered by injuries to three of the four centers on the roster.
"We had four centers going into camp and we had just one by the end of today's practice," Marrone said. "Probably, for me, that is the first time it has happened."
Sophomore Macky MacPherson took a majority of the snaps with the offense throughout practice until freshman Jesse Wolf-Gould, who played center in high school, stepped in to take a few snaps. Seniors Ian Allport and Nick Lepak, along with freshman Rob Trudo were all sidelined by injuries.
"If you throw someone in there that's never really played that position, it isn't fair to the unit," Marrone said. "Jesse Wolf-Gould played center in high school, and we put him in there today and he did a nice job for us. I give him credit.
"This team is made up of scholarship players and non-scholarship players, and they're all treated the same. But I give a lot of credit to the non-scholarship players. They're tough, they try to do everything we say, and they've really helped us be able to practice."
The other side of the line of scrimmage has caught Marrone's attention during the first six days of camp.
"Defensively, I think they've done a nice job," said Marrone of the defensive unit that ranked seventh nationally in total defense last year. "They went out there today and practiced well.
"The ends, Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich, have played well. (Sophomore linebacker) Marquis Spruill has done a nice job and (freshman free safety) Durrell Eskridge has stepped in and done a nice job for us."
Marrone also announced Wednesday that offensive line coach Greg Adkins has returned to the team following a non-life threatening medical situation that forced him to miss the first five days of preseason camp.
"Coach Adkins came back today and was in the building," Marrone said. "He will be evaluated for a bit and then get back out on the field."
In Adkins' absence, Marrone had assumed the responsibility of coaching the offensive line. Adkins is entering his third season with the Orange.
SU kicks off the 2011 season on Thursday, September 1 against Wake Forest in the Carrier Dome (8:00 p.m., ESPN3). Individual and season tickets are available online and at the Dome Box Office (1-888-DOME-TIX).
Fans are invited to the annual Fanfest on Friday, August 12 at 3:00 p.m. on the Katz-Schwartzwalder practice fields behind Manley Field House.
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