Speed it up: FAMU football conditioning to execute fast and swift play style in all facets
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It's now the home stretch of Florida A&M football training camp.
Instead of looking ahead at the Aug. 27 season opener at North Carolina, the Rattlers are utilizing this week to work on their internal needs.
Following Saturday's scrimmage and an early morning Sunday practice, the team was lively once they returned to the field on Tuesday after not practicing Monday.
"The opponent is FAMU. It's about fine tuning as we're less than two weeks out from kickoff," FAMU Head Coach Willie Simmons said.
"We're trying to give them their legs back. They came with a lot of intensity and energy today."
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Word of the day -- 'FAST'
Athletes from the state of Florida are known for their speed.
The Rattler offense are personifying that by polishing a hurry-up play style. On the other side, the Dark Cloud Defense has been utilizing those reps to prepare from a similar attack that may be implemented against opponents.
"'The word of the day was 'fast.' Here in Florida, we want to be the fastest team," Simmons said.
"Everything we do is about that tempo. We got guys on offense like Xavier Smith and K-Dot (Jah'Marae Sheread). B.J. Bohler, Eric Smith, and even Isaiah Land can all really run.
"We want to use that to our advantage and we want to continue to grow it."
Rasean McKay has experienced running the up-tempo offense first hand. The redshirt senior quarterback has been practicing getting snaps off under the pressure of a play clock during practice.
"We love to do tempo. It's something big that we do," McKay said.
"You have to be in condition to run it. After practice, coach will make us run gassers to make us stronger in the mind."
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It runs through them
The options are endless at running back for FAMU.
Seniors Terrell Jennings and Jaylen McCloud are the leaders of the backfield followed along with Pitt transfer A.J. Davis is also on the slate to drive the ball down the field on the ground. True freshman Cameron Sigur has turned heads in training camp and former Rickards running back De'Andre Francis is returning from an injury.
The offense will rely heavily on its ball carriers as the Rattlers run the quick-moving offensive attack.
"Whenever you try to run an up-tempo system, you better have a lot of legs. Running back is one of those spots that we really emphasize getting more bodies in," Simmons said.
"We have some backs that we feel like have showed the competency to be featured guys and a number one back. It gives you the flexibility to roll a lot of guys in to keep fresh legs in the backfield for the second and fourth quarters when the tough yards are typically won."
Jennings, from Jacksonville through Mandarin High School is being a motivating factor for the abundance of running backs acclimate to the playing style of FAMU.
"When we're out there running ten straight plays, it's crazy. You got to dig within," Jennings said.
"As the leader of the running back group, I'm trying to teach the running backs the ropes of the offense and let them know to be patient and let it come to you."
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2022 Florida A&M Football Schedule
Aug. 27: North Carolina -- ACC Network, 8 p.m. ET
Sept. 4: Jackson State (Orange Blossom Classic , Miami Gardens)* -- ESPN2, 3 p.m. ET
Sept. 10: Albany State, 6 p.m. ET
Sept. 24: Alabama A&M* -- ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET
Oct. 1: Mississippi Valley State*, 6 p.m. ET
Oct. 8: South Carolina State, 2 p.m. ET
Oct. 15: Grambling State*, 3 p.m. ET
Oct. 29: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Homecoming)*, 4 p.m. ET
Nov. 5: Southern* -- ESPNU, 6 p.m. ET
Nov. 12: Alabama State*, TIME TBA
Nov. 19: Bethune-Cookman (Florida Classic, Orlando)* -- ESPNU, TIME TBA
Home games are in BOLD
*SWAC
Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers plan to outgun opponents in 2022 season
