GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Amid cooling temperatures and uniqueness of the COVID-induced athletics calendar, Furman's football's program has maintained a high energy fall practice, which continues this Saturday with a 10:30 a.m. scrimmage at Paladin Stadium.

Spectators are limited to students living on campus, commuters, and student-athlete family members, with adequate physical distancing required.

Structured in the same manner as spring practice — 15 sessions over 34 days —  and consuming a month that would normally be filled by games now scheduled for the spring of 2021, fall practice has proven to be beneficial in many ways, according to Paladin head coach Clay Hendrix.

"It's been fun to get back out on the field and productive for everybody, especially our freshmen, who are so much more ahead of the game after going thru extensive weight training and conditioning before the start of (fall) practice.  That certainly gives them increased opportunity to contribute, which we're confident some will do when the season gets here."

In addition to additional advance work the reconfigured schedule provides the newest Paladins, it is also a bonus for program veterans.

"We have a number of players who saw some action last year but redshirted under the four-game rule, so it's been good to watch them continue to progress along with the players who have played a lot of football for us."

After opening practice on Oct. 4, the Paladins have taken advantage of agreeable weather to conduct 12 practices heading into Saturday's scrimmage.

"We've gone five times one week, four another week, and will have four practices this week, which is as much as we can do while working around class schedules. At this point we are looking to finish next week and getting back in the weight room in earnest until our guys leave for Thanksgiving.

"Getting back in the weight room this fall has been huge for us after missing the spring and summer.  I thought our young men did an admiral job (working out) on their own and was actually surprised where we were, conditioning-wise, when we got them back on campus.  Getting bigger-stronger-faster is what we've been shooting for, and the way things have played out has helped us do that, and it will continue to be a major focus."

Several players have earned mention for improved play in fall practice, including safeties Kam Brinson, a redshirt freshman, and true sophomore Hugh Ryan.

"Kam only played in three games a year ago, but he's a guy who has made a big jump since moving from cornerback to safety, and Hugh is another guy who played a good bit for us last year (17 tackles, 2 INTs) who has continued to improve."

True senior Elijah McKoy, a veteran of 35 games and owner of 236 career tackles, appears poised to benefit from a position switch, according to Hendrix, moving from inside linebacker to the bandit position.

Along the defensive front, two players, redshirt sophomore nose guard Cameron Coleman and true senior end Landon Lawrence, garnered plaudits for solid work.

"Cujo (Coleman) is 315 pounds, which is nice to have a big body like that inside. He's been really productive.  Landon is a guy we've moved all over the place since he's been here but who should benefit from his experience at defensive end."

Offensively, Hendrix looks for true sophomore Evan Jumper to continue to elevate his play and sees redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dejuan Bell as a player poised to make big impact.

"Evan played a good bit last year (nine starts) and is a totally different guy now. He's 25 pounds heavier and much stronger, and Dejaun, who redshirted a year ago after playing as a true freshman in 2018, has been a difference maker for us this fall with a lot of big plays."

As expected fall practice has showcased redshirt sophomore quarterbacks Darren Grainger and Hamp Sisson, who have combined to register 14 starts and pass for 2,082 yards and 18 touchdowns over the last two campaigns.

"It's year three for those guys from a development standpoint, so they are certainly at the point where they can lead us.  We have confidence in them running our offense.  Darren has made a lot of improvement, and Hamp might have improved as much as anybody on our team, increasing his arm strength, which he needed to do.  I'm not sure anybody in our program works as hard as he does.  We feel really good about having those two guys back. They are a lot more consistent than they were a year ago."

Earlier this week the Southern Conference announced the league schedule beginning in late February, which means a January start to the preseason.

"We were pushing to play in the fall, but when our league made a decision to play in the spring — we're part of a conference for a reason — we followed the guidelines.  I think our young men wanted to play for a conference championship, and the spring is when that will be contested, along with the national title.  We feel we have a team that can compete for a championship, so we're excited about that."