MIAMI (March 24, 2016) – Day Five of this year's spring camp is in the books and the FIU football team used a cool and windy day at Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium to continue preparation for the 2016 season.
 
In the team's final morning practice of the week, the Panthers were in full pads for the third-straight practice.
 
FIUSports.com and PantherVision (@FIUPantherVsn) caught up with Head Coach Ron Turner, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Steve Shankweiler and center Michael Montero after practice.

Video Interview with Head Coach Ron Turner and center Michael Montero



Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Steve Shankweiler

On Offense's Development Offensively, I think we're better than we were a year ago. Obviously, we're missing a few key people because of injuries but it's given us a chance to work more people. That's what spring ball is for. We're rolling a lot of different guys in there so, sometimes it looks a little rocky but really up to today, it's been very good. Now today, we introduced third-down, which is always in the defenses' favor and our defense is doing some things on third-down that takes some thinking and I thought the kids reacted pretty good to it. So, we just got to stay focused on what spring ball is all about: getting better, every day. Each guy being as good as they can be. And right now, we're really tickled to death on where we are offensively. We think if we keep going on this progression, we're going to have a chance to be really good. Offensive-line wise, our two starting guards aren't here and that's ok. It's given some of these other guys a chance to play last year and it's given some of the guys, young guys, this spring to really get reps they might not have gotten. So, I'm pleased with the talent level and I'm pleased with the attitude. With the offensive lineman, it's just a long, hard, slow process to learn to play at that position. We got some guys that fought through that long, hard process, and are starting to be pretty good.   On having Depth at the O-Line Position This is the first time since we've been here as a staff that we have been able to have really two full units of offensive linemen. We actually have three. And so, we're able to practice more guys and develop some depth. A couple injuries last season made that more available to us. All of a sudden, you know what, hey you guys back here in that third group are going to get more opportunities because maybe some older guys aren't here. And so, what young guys, for example, the Connell Brothers, are a perfect example. Two young guys that came in early. They're getting second-team reps, in some cases, not all the time but they're getting some second-team reps. That's a whole lot better when you're lined up against a second-team defensive lineman then a third-team defensive lineman. So, it accelerates their learning curve and that's what's been neat to watch. Those guys get a chance to go out there and get knocked around a little bit, but you see them get better every day.

Center Michael Montero

On Spring Practice I think that we're out here competing as a team. The offensive line is getting a lot better. We're growing as a team. People are growing in leadership. There's not just one leader, there's a lot of people stepping up and competing. It's been fun so far. It's been a fun spring and we're competing hard. I like the energy so far.   On Dealing with Injuries on the O-Line Yeah, it a lot better than losing someone during the season. We have guys stepping in during the spring. They'll have a lot more reps and you can see it. Like James Cruise stepped in today and it felt natural. Chris Miller wasn't here because he was sick and James Cruise stepped in and it was as if we didn't skip a beat. So, I think it's a good thing for these kids. We're growing as an offensive line. Everyone's on the same page. Everyone's competing. So I like it a lot.   On What the O-Line is Working on to get Better Last year we had a pretty good run game. Our pass game was good to but, we need to step up on the run game a little bit more because that gets the clock running; that sets the tempo of the game and lets us control the flow of the game. As far as the offensive line, we want those run calls being called because we want to set the tone, we want to hit somebody and let the defensive line know that we're here and we're ready.   On Competition during Spring I personally, love it. Young kids, like freshmen and sophomores out there just competing every day. And even with the first team, we've been here for five years but we're still battling out there. I like it a lot. I like the energy so far.

Previous Reports
Monday, March 7 – Day One / Photo Gallery
Tuesday, March 8 –  Photo Gallery
Thursday, March 10 – Day Three / Photo Gallery
Tuesday, March 22 – Day Four / Photo Gallery
 
Remaining FIU Football Spring Practice Schedule
Friday, March 25                  6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29              9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 31             9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 2                  9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, April 5                  9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 7                 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 9                  9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, April 12                9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 14               9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Friday, April 15                  (7:00 p.m. – Spring Game)
 
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The 2016 FIU football season will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 1, when the Panthers host the Indiana Hoosiers.

FIU's 2016 schedule is highlighted with games against Miami Beach Bowl and 2016 C-USA champion WKU, R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl champion Louisiana Tech, St. Petersburg Bowl champion Marshall, Popeyes Bahama Bowl participant Middle Tennessee, and New Era Pinstripe Bowl participant Indiana. In addition, the Panthers will face Maryland, Massachusetts, UCF, Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Charlotte and Old Dominion. 
 
For FIU football ticket information, contact the University Credit Union Box Office at 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263).
 
For the latest information on Panthers football, follow us on Twitter, @FIUFootball, and check out Pete Pelegrin's in-depth coverage of FIU Athletics on his official blog, The Prowl, at www.FIUSports.com.

 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.