The Bulls were on the field at UB Stadium for a single practice on Tuesday as the 2007 season opener at Rutgers draws nearer. The team practiced in full pads during today’s workout under cool, cloudy skies.
Running back Mario Henry got off to a quick start in the early portion of 11-on-11 work with a pair of nice runs. With the likes of Jordan Jerrold and Jeff Niedermier paving the way up front, the running game had its share of success early in today’s practice. The exact length of the runs is difficult to approximate due to the limited nature of the contact involved.
After individual positional work, Ben Woods highlighted the special teams’ activity by consistently forcing would-be punt returners to back pedal to catch his 50-plus yard boots.
When practice shifted back to 11-on-11 work with sustained drives, the offense found its stride right away as Drew Willy found Aaron Connacher on a rollout for 26 yards on the first play of the first drive. That play was followed by a 10-yard run for Mario Henry and a 15-yard run for Brandon Thermilus. The drive was finished off by a 36-yard AJ Principe field goal.
Defensively, Kendric Hawkins had an interception and a few pass break-ups today.
Off the field, the new scoreboards on the east and west sides of the stadium were put into use for the first time today. The fascia boards, which had just been installed in the past few days, were turned on and tested late this afternoon. These two scoreboards, along with a new videoboard that will be installed in the coming days, will be an upgrade that fans will definitely notice this season when they come to UB Stadium.
Wednesday the Bulls will be back on the field for two practices as the season opener is just over a week away.
