UPDATED Oct 27, 2015: Quotes from players, coaches have been added.
Here are some updates from the team’s first practice under Interim Head Coach Larry Scott:
- Sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya did not practice today. Kaaya left Saturday’s game against Clemson early in the second quarter with a possible concussion after taking a massive hit by defensive Shaq Lawson. Kaaya still has to pass more concussion protocols before he can return to action. “We’re still waiting [on Brad],” offensive coordinator James Coley said after practice. “Malik [Rosier] took the majority of the reps today.”
- Rosier was getting the first snaps with the offense as they worked on formations. Quarterbacks sophomore Vincent Testaverde and freshman Evan Shirreffs were also throwing around. “I’m preparing to start. Whether Brad will be back, we have no idea. This week I’m getting more reps with the [starters],” Rosier said.
- Rosier, who lives with Kaaya, said, “At the house he’s active, he’s moving around. He seemed to get back to himself, which is a good sign.”
- Redshirt senior receiver Rashawn Scott also did not practice today. Scott, who was still playing with the team trailing by 51 points to Clemson last Saturday, left in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury. Coley said he’s “getting better.” The fifth-year receiver has suffered multiple shoulder injuries in the past that caused him to miss time, including the entire 2014 season.
- Defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio was on the field with the team. There has been speculation that D’Onofrio, who was very close with Golden, could also be off the staff before the end of the season. D’Onofrio was hurt to see his friend fired. “I just know what kind of guy he is and what he did here. I know that he worked tirelessly to have a successful team and he did everything he could. I’m proud of him,” D’Onofrio said. “I’m always going to be there for Al.”
- Redshirt senior safety Dallas Crawford said the team was emotional when Golden spoke to the players on Sunday night. “Everybody cried,” Crawford said. “It was like time standing still. He was being as strong as he could be. He said he didn’t get done what he needed to get done.” Crawford added, “We told him how much we appreciated him. He was a father figure to a lot of us.”