Friday, August 10, 2007
Camp Bentley: Day Five
CLINTON, S.C. – Presbyterian College returned to the brutal afternoon heat on Friday afternoon, practicing in full pads for the first time from 4-6 p.m. on its four practice fields.
The practice was the final of PC’s first five acclimating practices. The Blue Hose will have their inaugural two-a-day beginning at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday morning.
After five practices, Bentley said that the most exciting thing so far from preseason camp is seeing his players get excited about all the new things that the Blue Hose coaching staff is implementing.
“I see them buying into our system and it excites me,” said Bentley on Friday evening after practice. “Some of our walk-ons are better than we thought and as a coaching staff we are starting to see glimpses of our team understanding how we need to practice. We still have a long way to go though.”
PC’s first practice on Saturday will focus on special teams, while practice No. 2 on Saturday will be PC’s first scrimmage of preseason practice.
The scrimmage will consist of 100 plays and will be held at Bailey Memorial Stadium.
According to Bentley, “the coaching staff is excited about finally letting the players show in game situations what they have and giving the freshman a chance to show their full abilities to the coaching staff.”
The Blue Hose will return to just one practice on Sunday as they will practice on their four practice fields at 5:10 p.m.
All PC practices, including Saturday’s scrimmage, are open to the public.
Noting Camp Bentley…
WELL RECEIVED: The Blue Hose receivers have for the most part come into preseason camp excited about the new offense and willing to put in the effort during Bentley’s high octane practices that require them to sufficiently obtain their fitness during the 2-3 hour practice.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Our receivers know that in this new offense that we are installing that they have a great deal of responsibility. I have been really impressed with their attitude and efforts during our practices that make them practice the way that we should play.”
Wide Receivers coach Jeff Scott on his wide receiver’s efforts during the first five days of preseason practice
STARS OF THE DAY: Scott specifically mentioned the efforts of two-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection Justin Durant (Florence, S.C.). A senior, Durant has emerged as a leader and as Scott noted his “leadership is very valuable to the group.” Scott also said that Terrance Butler (Surfside Beach, S.C.) came into camp off a great spring practice and offseason and has continued to improve every time he steps on the practice field. According to Scott, Butler should be a multifaceted threat for the Blue Hose in the upcoming campaign. Sophomore Larry Thomas (Orangeburg, S.C.) has also shown signs of brilliance in camp and has the potential to be a great wideout. Scott also talked about DR Granger, who as a tight end who can also catch could be a huge weapon in the Bentley Barrage.
QUOTE ME, PART TWO: “In my opinion our receiving corps has the potential to be one of the strongest in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.”
PC Wide Receivers coach Jeff Scott
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRACTICE: Coach Bentley and his coaching staff are doing their best to continue to implement their training and conditioning during practice. The Blue Hose are going all out on every thing that they do, but as Bentley said after practice earlier this week, “they still need to focus on practicing at a shorter, more energetic pace.”
DAY-BY-DAY: The Blue Hose will practice 20 more times before beginning their first week of game preparation on Monday, Aug. 27. In total, PC will have 24 more practices before taking the gridiron against Furman at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Paladin Stadium.
Below is the first of a special focus on PC student-athletes entitled Getting To Know The Blue Hose. The first installment focuses on PC wide receiver Terrance Butler, who concluded his sophomore year with PC last season with 12 catches and a 19.0 yards-per-return average on his kick returns.
Getting To Know the Blue Hose
#1 Terrance Butler (5-9, 193, Jr.) Surfside Beach, S.C./Socastee
What is your favorite food or place to eat?
Favorite Food - Spaghetti
Place to Eat - Cheesecake Factory
What is your favorite memory while at PC?
When I scored my first intercollegiate touchdown my freshman year in the season opener against West Georgia (48-13 PC win on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005)
Why did you choose PC?
Because I was offered a full scholarship and with a degree from PC I will be more marketable once I graduate.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In the NFL
Favorite Movie?
Any of the three Bourne movies
What school would you most like to see on your schedule?
Clemson or USC
Who was your biggest influence growing up?
My grandmother