 "Obviously the first day (with pads) is never like a well-oiled
machine, but I was amazed at how well we did some things," head
coach Denver Johnson said. "Obviously there were some things that we
are going to have to polish and to try to correct, but I was really
pleased with Luke (Drone) and I was pleased with the first unit of
defense."With a light rain sprinkling on the Redbirds during the
middle of practice, the team worked out for 24, five-minute periods,
while wearing shells.
Early on in the practice, the Redbirds worked on their special
teams. Following the field goal team segment, the Redbirds spent
several periods focusing on their kickoff return coverage. Prior to
some scrimmaging, the Redbirds continued to hone their fundamental
skills, like the quarterback-running back exchange, pass routes and
blocking schemes.
The 7-on-7 drill centered on situations including first-and-10,
second-and-10 and third-and-10. Drone completed 6-of-9 passes, while
Kevin Brockway was 8-for-9 and Preston Earl was 4-for-6. Eyad Salem
and Drew Kempe led all receivers with four catches each.
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In the team period, the Redbird offense worked from third-and-8
and third-and-10 situations. Facing third-and-8, the ISU offense got
first-down distances on two of the 18 snaps. Sophomore defensive end
Brandon Wilson tipped a Brockway pass to himself for an
interception, while freshmen linebacker Mark Martin intercepted a
Sam Donatucci toss.
"We've got guys that can run (on defense), and it looks like
there is going to be some interesting competition on the defensive
side of the ball," Johnson said. "Guys don't have positions locked
up by any stretch of the imagination, and it looks like there is
going to some interesting competition at corner and safety,
obviously at the linebacker position, and even at the defensive
line. There is a lot yet to be seen in terms of what the composition
of the first unit will be, by the time we get to game time."
With a third-and-4 spot, the offense moved the chains on three of
the nine possessions. Kelvyn Hemphill, Tom Nelson and Josh Howe all
had pass breakups for the Redbird defense, while Kyle Siskowic
recorded a sack.
Illinois State returned to practice on Sunday for the second of
two mandatory workouts in shells.
[Text from file received from Todd Kober,
assistant athletics director, media relations,
Illinois
State University] |
