ELON, N.C. – With the Elon University football team nearing the end of the third week of spring practices, the team will participate in its second scrimmage of the month tomorrow, April 17, on the Hunt practice field.
Ahead of the scrimmage, we spoke with quarterback Mike Quinn about the progress he’s made with the system head coach Rich Skrosky and the new coaching staff brought to Elon and more. Here are some thoughts from the fifth-year quarterback:
On the pressure to succeed in his final season at Elon:
“I want to earn the starting job outright. (John Loughery) is a great competitor and we’re locked in a good competition. But I want to come out of this as the guy and I want to help get this team back going the right direction.”
On being a team leader as a fifth-year senior:
“Obviously I know Coach Skrosky having played for him previously. I want to help get the whole team behind him and what he’s trying to do and that will help us with how successful we are and once we get rolling after spring, this will carry into summer and we’re excited. Hopefully we can get a winning record, which is something we’ve been missing of late.”
On how learning the system is coming:
“It’s much better than it was the first day of spring practice. I’ve got it all there in the classroom. I know all the stuff. But once the defense starts moving around, reads change up, things change up, coverage changes up and it gets a little crazy back there so I just have to keep my composure and keep watching tape so I’m able to see those things and make corrections and do the things that I’m able to do.”
On helping groom someone for the future:
“I’ve had John under my wing for the last year and I’ve built a lot of character in losing tough games and being a 2-10 quarterback. It’s taught me a lot of things that I can use to help the other guys. I have to keep my head up high and just keep doing what I can control because some things are out of our control. We’ll see what the new recruit is like coming in this summer and we’ll get him on the right track. John is already on the right track and I think he’s ready to take the starting job this year or next year, Hopefully it’s next year. But whoever is better should play, obviously. I just want to see Elon succeed.”
All practice sessions are open to the public and the full schedule is listed below. Practice dates, times and locations are subject to change due to weather conditions.
Fans interested in attending practice sessions should contact Jonathan Small, director of football operations, at 336-278-6718.
2014 Elon Phoenix Spring Football Practice Schedule
Friday, April 18 – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 – 5 p.m.
Friday, April 25 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 26 – 6 p.m. Spring Game (Rhodes Stadium)