A garage sale, a tailgate party, the culmination of the Redbird Raffle and, oh yes, a football contest, highlight this Saturdays activities surrounding Illinois States annual Red/White Football Game.
The game, which brings down the curtain on ISUs 15 spring workouts, will be formatted depending on the state of the Redbird roster. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m., at Hancock Stadium.
We have quite a few people nicked up with injuries right now, but if we can get the numbers, well break the team into two squads, said ISU head coach Denver Johnson. Well most likely have the first team offense on one team and the first team defense on the other. In the second half, we might go to a format that will just pit the offense against the defense with a scoring system that would allow to the defense to get points.
Eight prominent players, including top returning rusher Willie Watts (ankle) and top returning tackler Tim Beshel (neck), are battling various injuries. Beshel will not play, but Watts status will be determined closer to game time.
The Redbirds might also be minus outside linebacker Andrew Papoccia, whose wrist is being x-rayed today to check for a possible break.
The days activities begin at 8 a.m., when the athletics department hosts a garage sale on the floor of Redbird Arena. Used jerseys, warm-up suits and other equipment will be sold. That sale concludes at 11 a.m.
The arena will re-open at 12:45 p.m. for the tailgate party, which is open to the public. Admission, which includes lunch and beverages, is free with a Redbird Raffle ticket. Those tickets, which are $5 each, will be available at the door.
Head coach Denver Johnson will address the gathering and the team will be available for autographs and photos. Door prizes from the athletics department will also be available during the party
Lunch provided will be provided Times Past Inn and beverages will be provided by Pepsi, Ra-Jac Distributing and B & J Sales.
At halftime of the game, a drawing will be held for the first, second and third prize in the Redbird Raffle. Raffle tickets are available from the athletics department and ISU student-athletes.
