Post by elon_phan on Apr 22, 2007 8:21:16 GMT -5
Newsome smashes onto scene for Elon
Adam Smith / Times-News
April 22, 2007 12:03 AM
ELON — T.J. Clegg took notice of a developing trend during the Elon University football team’s spring practice session.
It involved fellow tailback Brandon Newsome’s increasingly punishing penchant for carving running room out of confined spaces.
“He gets into a crowd and you think he’s down,” Clegg said. “All of a sudden — bam! — he’s out, running. He drives his feet real good. To be so young, he’s going to be pretty good. You can just see his potential.”
Newsome, who will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, placed a variety of skills on display in Elon’s spring game Saturday night at Rhodes Stadium.
His hard-nosed running for the second-team unit churned out 57 yards, the offense’s highest rushing total by 45 yards. He also ducked out of the backfield and hauled in a game-best six receptions.
And all of this was delivered while dealing with a sprained joint in his shoulder, which needed some occasional extra stretching and attention on the home sideline.
“It was an important day for me,” Newsome said. “It was my first time actually doing some-thing other than practice on the college level.
“I’ve still got a lot of work to do, but I think I’m getting on the road now. I think I’m coming along, understanding the offense better.”
Elon coach Pete Lembo said Newsome has made the proper commitment toward improving. Part of that process required the 5-foot-10, 200-pounder to digest plenty of mental repetitions while working on the scout team last season.
When spring break arrived recently, Newsome went home to Windsor, Va. He set his alarm for 8 a.m. workouts with his high school coach, Bruce Carroll, who rifled throw after throw in an effort to improve Newsome’s pass-catching ability.
Elon’s offensive system utilizes multiple tailbacks and inserts them into diverse roles. With Reggie Hall, last year’s leading rusher, opting for a job on Wall Street and not a fifth year of eligibility, Newsome appears capable of joining Clegg and producing.
“There’s no doubt Brandon’s a powerful runner,” Lembo said. “And he’s improved dramati-cally catching the ball out of the backfield since last year. So I’m pleased.”
Newsome charged through the tackle attempt of linebacker Jeremy Barrett on a 20-yard gain that set up the second of three touchdowns Saturday night. Backup quarterback Donny Kirby scurried in from 3 yards out on the score.
“He did a lot of good things,” quarterback Wes Pope said about Newsome. “He’s coming on full strength. He worked hard in the offseason and it shows. He can be a big back for us. He’s got the speed and he’s got the power.”
The Phoenix’s first-team offense generated the game’s opening touchdown on its first series. Clegg capped the seven-play drive — highlighted by Pope’s 41-yard completion to Terrell Hudgins — with a 1-yard run.
Tim Applegate plowed 4 yards for a touchdown on the game’s final play. Andrew Wilcox hit field goals of 36 and 37 yards during the periods in which Elon scrimmaged.
Adam Smith / Times-News
April 22, 2007 12:03 AM
ELON — T.J. Clegg took notice of a developing trend during the Elon University football team’s spring practice session.
It involved fellow tailback Brandon Newsome’s increasingly punishing penchant for carving running room out of confined spaces.
“He gets into a crowd and you think he’s down,” Clegg said. “All of a sudden — bam! — he’s out, running. He drives his feet real good. To be so young, he’s going to be pretty good. You can just see his potential.”
Newsome, who will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, placed a variety of skills on display in Elon’s spring game Saturday night at Rhodes Stadium.
His hard-nosed running for the second-team unit churned out 57 yards, the offense’s highest rushing total by 45 yards. He also ducked out of the backfield and hauled in a game-best six receptions.
And all of this was delivered while dealing with a sprained joint in his shoulder, which needed some occasional extra stretching and attention on the home sideline.
“It was an important day for me,” Newsome said. “It was my first time actually doing some-thing other than practice on the college level.
“I’ve still got a lot of work to do, but I think I’m getting on the road now. I think I’m coming along, understanding the offense better.”
Elon coach Pete Lembo said Newsome has made the proper commitment toward improving. Part of that process required the 5-foot-10, 200-pounder to digest plenty of mental repetitions while working on the scout team last season.
When spring break arrived recently, Newsome went home to Windsor, Va. He set his alarm for 8 a.m. workouts with his high school coach, Bruce Carroll, who rifled throw after throw in an effort to improve Newsome’s pass-catching ability.
Elon’s offensive system utilizes multiple tailbacks and inserts them into diverse roles. With Reggie Hall, last year’s leading rusher, opting for a job on Wall Street and not a fifth year of eligibility, Newsome appears capable of joining Clegg and producing.
“There’s no doubt Brandon’s a powerful runner,” Lembo said. “And he’s improved dramati-cally catching the ball out of the backfield since last year. So I’m pleased.”
Newsome charged through the tackle attempt of linebacker Jeremy Barrett on a 20-yard gain that set up the second of three touchdowns Saturday night. Backup quarterback Donny Kirby scurried in from 3 yards out on the score.
“He did a lot of good things,” quarterback Wes Pope said about Newsome. “He’s coming on full strength. He worked hard in the offseason and it shows. He can be a big back for us. He’s got the speed and he’s got the power.”
The Phoenix’s first-team offense generated the game’s opening touchdown on its first series. Clegg capped the seven-play drive — highlighted by Pope’s 41-yard completion to Terrell Hudgins — with a 1-yard run.
Tim Applegate plowed 4 yards for a touchdown on the game’s final play. Andrew Wilcox hit field goals of 36 and 37 yards during the periods in which Elon scrimmaged.