|
 "I thought we didn't have a lot of zest starting out today," head
coach Brock Spack said. "In the blitz drill, the offense really
picked it up and beat up on the defense. We have six practices left
to get better and we can't come out here and waste time; the season
always goes by quick."
The day started out with an uncharacteristic change for spring camp
thus far, with an offense-dominated blitz drill. Matt Brown
completed his first two passes to Tyrone Walker, including a 20-yard
gain. Cameron Meredith came in the next drive and found Phil Dudley
in the flat and he turned the short pass into a 30-yard gain. The
defense remained quiet throughout the drill besides an interception
from Mike Banks at the start of the session and a pass breakup by
Austin Davis off a throw from Brown to James O'Shaughnessy.
Heading into the first team session on the grass, the offense
stressed maintaining tempo throughout the drill. Brown completed his
first two passes, including a long catch over the top by Donovan
Harden and a handoff to Darrelynn Dunn. The defense answered right
back on the next play with a sack by Colton Underwood. Brown
continued to use the running game and the Redbird offense compiled
three consecutive completions to Jonathon Miller (1) and Walker (2).
Next, the team headed back to the turf for 7-on-7. Meredith
completed back-to-back passes to Milton Colbert and finished 4 for 5
throughout the drill. On the following drive, Brown completed two
passes to Walker and a wide-open catch for a long gain down the
sideline by Dunn.
[to top of second column] |
After 7-on-7, the Redbirds went into their second team session
on the turf started with 15-yard rush by Dunn. The defense took
over on the next three possessions with sacks by Will Davis and
Ben Ericksen and a defensive stop on a catch from Brown to
Miller for no yards gained.
Brown regained control and completed the next three of his four
passes, including a wide-open run connection down the sideline
by Cameron Hunt for the first touchdown of the session. Adam
Pittser then took the field and threw for a completion to
Lechein Neblett. On the next play, Pittser was pressured by the
defense and threw for a long pass, but Ericksen grabbed the
interception to end the practice on a high note for the defense.
The Redbirds will have the next three days to rest and will
return to camp Tuesday with a 3:30 p.m. start.
[Text from
news release from Lauren McLaughlin, Illinois State
University]
|
