West Long Branch, NJ- With the temperatures exceeding 93 degrees on the turf of Monmouth Stadium, the 2016 Hawks donned full pads for the first time during training camp.

Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan built in mandatory five minute hydration breaks as the University sports medicine staff worked tirelessly to ensure players were safe to continue competition. Hear Head Football Athletic Trainer Nate Miker talk to MDN about the process here. The practice saw four different team periods which included live work.

Notes & Quotes

• The deep wide receiving corps made some big plays, including a circus catch by junior Reggie White Jr.
• Matt Choi had a number of big catches, with the upper classman not afraid to go over the middle or catch the deep ball. Hear from him in the above video
• Sophomore WR Devin Phelps had the MDN Play of the Day, hauling in a catch in traffic during a 7 on 7 period from sophomore Cody Williams
• The hit parade was out with Kevin Butler and Devell Jones delivering some memorable pops during the practice
• Safety Kyle Gregory and corner Kamau Dumas each had interceptions on the day
• The team will not practice tomorrow, wrapping up the first week of camp. Monmouth's first scrimmage of the fall will be a week from today at 2 PM.

Coach Callahan on the effort during Saturday's practice
"Overall I was really happy with the level of work that we had out here. We got some live work in here, I thought the guys really worked through the heat and the adversity. We executed well on both sides of the ball."

Senior Wideout Matt Choi on his role this season
I was hurt last year and it really humbled me watching these younger guys getting to play and doing well. I'm just hoping I can play at a high level for this team.

Choi on what type of receiver he views himself as
I want to be a possession receiver but I want to do it all. If coach wants me to run a deep route, I want to catch everything, I want to catch everything that Cody [Williams] throws."

Choi on the growth of second-year starting QB Cody Williams
He's grown a lot mentally, playbook wise.  He knows the defense better and he is reading his reads better. He's just doing better as a leader overall and that's our quarterback so we are following his lead."

Up Next
Monmouth will have its first double session on Monday, with the team going uppers starting at 8:15 and then full pads at 3:15.