March 5, 2009
2009 Spring Practice Schedule
Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University head football coach Tom Masella announced the 2009 spring practice schedule today which will culminate with the 2009 Spring Game on Saturday, April 25th, at 11:00 a.m. on Murphy Field.
The Rams will kick off the spring practice schedule on Friday, March 27th, at 9:20 a.m. It will be the first of 15 practice sessions allowed by the NCAA in the spring.
Fordham will practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings with the exception of April 9th through the 13th, when Fordham is off for Easter Break.
The Rams enter spring practice looking to fill a few holes on both sides of the ball. On offense, Fordham loses three starters, including two on the line, while the Rams will be looking to replace four graduated starters on defense.
Fordham will be led into the spring by record-setting quarterback John Skelton, who became the school's all-time leader passer last year, and running back Xavier Martin, who became the sixth Ram to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season last fall.
Skelton completed 228 of 372 passes last year for 2,605 yards and 15 touchdowns, bringing his career totals to 518 completions for 6,215 yards and 43 touchdowns. He broke Kevin Eakin's all-time record of 6,112 passing yards while tying Joe Moorhead's mark for career completions. Skelton is also just two passes shy of tying Eakin's career record for touchdown passes.
Martin rushed 274 times for 1,237 yards, tops among all Patriot League running backs, and seven scores. The 1,237 yards is the fourth best single season mark in school history. Other returning running backs include Quasand Lewis, Jamir Livingston, Nnamdi Onyeabor and Darryl Whiting.
Also back for the offense are receivers Asa Lucas, David Moore, Jon Arnold, Brandon Anderson, Jason Caldwell, Clayton Busch, Brad Pierre and Jason Weston along with tight end Stephen Skelton. Lucas led the 2008 Rams with 36 catches for 449 yards and three touchdowns, despite missing four games due to injury, while Busch, who also saw time at quarterback last fall, was third on the team with 25 receptions for 214 yards and one score. Skelton (18), Moore (18) and Arnold (18) all finished with double digit catches last year as did running back Nnamdi Onyeabor, who lined up at wide out when the position was hit by injury.
On the offensive line, starters Robby Reis, Jordan Bledsoe and Lloyd Morrison return as do experienced veterans Andrew Tyshovnytsky, Wendell Joly, Jonathan Sheridan, Amen Igbinosun and John Smalec.
On the defensive side of the ball, three of the top five tacklers from 2008 return, led by linebacker Andre Delaire, who topped the Rams with 71 total tackles, 48 solo, including five for loss and 2.5 sacks. Linebacker James Crockett also returns after ranking second on the team last fall with 67 total tackles, 39 solo, including 7.5 for loss and two sacks and leading the squad with three forced fumbles. Nicholas Magiera, who was second on the team last year with 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, is the third of the three returning linebackers.
Masella will have to replace two starters on the defensive line to join returning starter Darzell Wright, who had seven tackles for loss last year. Experienced players who will look to move into the starting spots include Adnan Van Dyck, Thomas Lloyd and Andy Okonkwo.
Along with the three returning starters, Fordham has a number of other linebackers returning with experience, including Ryan Darcey, David Mendez, Nick Womack, Jock Payten, Jay Jackson, Clifton Stuckey, Michael Hickman and Isaiah Leake.
In the defensive backfield, three of the four starters return. At corner, Isiejah Allen, who led the team with six pass deflections, and Jamal Haruna are back along with strong safety Bryson Wilson. Kelvin Colbert, Isa Abdul El-Quddus, Ahmed Haruna, Nnadozie Onyeabor, Michael Shackelford and Kevin Carter also saw action in the defensive backfield last year.
On special teams, punter Cameron Dean is back while Masella will be looking for a replacement for graduated placekicker Adam Danko.
Fordham will open the 2009 season on Saturday, September 5th, when the Rams travel to Kingston, R.I., to face the University of Rhode Island.
