Indiana University Athletics
INDIANA OPENS PRACTICE WITH FULL SQUAD
8/14/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
INDIANA OPENS PRACTICE WITH FULL SQUAD
Bloomington, Ind. -- The Indiana football team conducted two morning practices earlier today, the first of the season with the full squad. Practices, which were conducted in half pads, were held at the practice fields adjacent to the Mellencamp Pavilion. A third practice is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. On Sunday, the Hoosiers will practice in half pads from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday's practice will also be held on the football practice fields.
"Well, today really isn't football playing without full pads but I felt good about the pace of things out there," said head coach Cam Cameron. "We did a much better job throwing and catching the football today than we did most of last year."
Selected Cam Cameron quotes:
When asked about the development of junior wide receiver O.J. Conner: "We need him to be a factor. O.J. is in the best shape he's been in since he's gotten here. He's a little bigger and he's definitely faster. O.J. had a really good freshman year and then he was nagged by injuries throughout most of last season. He is a rangy guy who runs well. He just needs to become more consistent catching the football."
When asked about the development of senior center Chad Miller: "Chad really did some good things for us last year. For a new center, I thought he did extremely well. Chad has to continue to become the leader of the offensive line. I watched some of the Giants-Vikings game last night and the commentator kept talking about the importance of a good center. I agree. Everyone wants to talk about left tackle....left tackle. I really think center is the key position on the offensive line because he is the quarterback of that unit. He needs to make the line calls in both the running and passing game. Chad needs to continue his improvement in reading defense, especially defensive fronts but he does a really nice job for a guy who hasn't played there that much."
When asked about the unseasonably cool weather: "I think if we could we'd have it 90-plus degrees every day at this time of the year. It's in that type of heat when you find out who really wants to be a football player."
Injury List: The only player who missed a practice today was linebacker Donnie Buck who missed the second practice with an ear injury.
