FIU Football ends fall practice with offensive outburst

After nearly three months of practices and simulated games, FIU Head Coach Don Strock finally saw his offense get on track outscoring the defense, 15-3, in the last half of an intersquad scrimmage and final team workout on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the FIU Community Stadium. This comes on the heels of another defensive win 45-3 during the inaugural Blue/Gold scrimmage the week before.

“Maybe they thought it was the last practice, or something,” said Strock of his offensive showing that included a two-yard touchdown run by Gerrod Lundstedt and field goals of 30, 33 and 25 yards by Adam Moss.

“We moved the ball well at the end of the first half and in the second, but we still have a long way to go,” said Strock whose fledgling Golden Panthers play their first NCAA Division I-AA game on Aug. 31, 2002 against St. Peter’s College of New Jersey.

“I was pleased with the way they played today. Both sides played hard and they’ve been doing that all year long. I realize it’s not easy to motivate yourself when you’re not going out and actually preparing for an opponent.”

The last drive of fall practice lasted 10 plays with Joe Fleming picking up 34 yards in the air on four completions, down to the defense’s nine yard line. But again, the defense stiffened and Moss was forced to salvage the drive with a field goal from 25 yards away.

Now, it’s time to clean out the locker room, review the fall and look ahead to the 2002 season. “We’ll have player and coaches’ meetings this coming week, set up some off-season weight training schedules and remind everyone that we’re not going to be playing ourselves anymore. Now we’re getting ready for a regular season in 2002,” Strock said.

Calling the shots coach profile - Greg Briner, FIU Assistant Coach

Most recently the offensive coordinator for the New York/ New Jersey Hitmen of the XFL, Briner comes to FIU with 25 years of coaching experience at the college and pro level.

Prior to the XFL, he coached at Southern Methodist University in Texas, where he also coached the South offense in the 1998 Blue-Gray All-Star game. With the University of Georgia, his quarterback, Mike Bobo, led the SEC in passing and was ranked fifth in the nation.

The Bulldogs won the Outback Bowl in 1998 with records set for completion percentage (93 percent) and consecutive completions (19).

Prior positions for Briner include offensive coordinator at Marshall University and the U.S. Naval Academy. At the Naval Academy 12 offensive records were set and at Marshall University, the Herd won the I-AA national championship in 1992, leading the nation in offense and scoring with the quarterback, Michael Payton, winning the Walter Payton award, the I-AA version of the Heisman Trophy.

Briner was with the Indianapolis Colts as the quality control director and then moved on to become the quarterback coach. His career began in 1976 at the University of Oregon.

Briner holds a Master of Science in physical education from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the United States International University.

He was the California Player of the Year and prep All-America quarterback at Gardena High School in Los Angeles and a member of the 1970 Rose Bowl Team at the University of Southern California.

He is married to Melanie.

Taking care of business

When it comes to injuries on the field or on the court FIU Athletics relies on some of the best in the business. HealthSouth Doctors’ Hospital in Coral Gables is the official health care provider for FIU Athletics. As the leader in the industry, HealthSouth Doctors’ Hospital has some of the top rated physicians in the business. Physicians such as Dr. Keith Hechtman and Dr. John Uribe, team physicians for FIU and the University of Miami; Dr. John Zuijac, team physician for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and Dr. Harlan Selesnick, team physician for the Miami Heat, are all just part of a roster of doctors thattreat professional athletes in all sports.

“We value our relationship with the FIU athletic program and all the student athletes,” said Lincoln Mendez, CEO of HealthSouth Doctors’ Hospital. “We are proud to provide the best doctors and treatment available to help FIU achieve continued success on and off the field.”

HealthSouth Doctors’ Hospital is also not just for athletes-sports injuries can happen to anyone at anytime.

on the air

Don’t forget to join Don Strock for the StrockTalk radio show. StrockTalk airs every Wed.,
6-8 p.m. on WAXY 790 AM. You can also watch the show–live at Shula’s Steak 2 at Don Shula’s Hotel on Main Street in Miami Lakes. For more information, call 305-820-8047.