Aug. 22, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head football coach Bobby Lamb walked off the practice field Friday morning very pleased with the performance his team has registered in the preseason.

"I told our guys this has been one of the best preseason camps I've seen in my seven years as head coach, and it was mainly due to the hard work they had put it over the spring and summer," said Lamb. "Beginning in spring practice and carrying over into the summer when so many of them were here working out, there was a commitment and a dedication to incorporating the changes we've put in on offense and defense, and that really paved the way for this to be a very productive preseason camp."

Friday morning's two-hour practice in shorts and shoulder pads signaled an end to Furman's preseason camp. The Paladins will have the weekend off before starting game week preparation on Monday for the 2008 season opener against Mars Hill on Aug. 30.

"We've answered a lot of questions in the preseason, but it will all come down to how our guys perform in games," added Lamb. "Our focus now will be on Mars Hill, and we will need to keep building on what we've done over the last three weeks in order to be ready to play next Saturday."

Lamb announced on Friday that injuries are expected to sideline several players for the season opener, including tight end Larry Hedden (shoulder), linebacker Brandon Boykin (knee), and offensive guard Nic Ayoob (knee). Center Dustin Chancellor recently underwent surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and is out for the season.