The weather during this years fall camp has been relatively mild, that was until Thursday morning when the Illinois State football team took the field.
Morning temperatures reached the mid 80s, but the humidity made it feel even hotter. Head coach Denver Johnson felt the intensity of todays practice wasnt what it should have been.
I was disappointed this morning. I dont think we had a sharp practice, Johnson said. The weather hasnt done us any favors. Weve just had unseasonably cool weather. We come out today and its a little hotter than its been, a little more humid than its been, and I thought it kind of thwarted us some. I dont think we fought through it as well as we should have.
The Redbird offense was able to get things going when the team worked on its redzone plays. Coaches spotted the ball at the 20,15,10 and 5 yard lines as the team worked on game-day scenarios.
Yance Vaughan connected with Mike Larson for a touchdown on the teams first passing play. Vaughan also hooked up with Dwayne Smith who made a leaping grab in the corner of the endzone.
Quarterback Mike Souza also looked sharp on a fade pass to Jonathan Deloach in the corner of the endzone. A few plays earlier though, Jesse Ceasar intercepted Souzas pass that was intended for Smith.
Ceasar wasnt the only defensive back making plays Thursday. Redshirt freshman Leon Kittrell looked particularly sharp during one-on-one drills with the wide receivers. His blanket coverage stood out amongst the other cornerbacks.
It took me a little while, but its all starting to come around, Kittrell said of his time as a Redbird. My redshirt helped me out a lot. I learned a lot from the guys last year, guys like Cerone Colvin and Coach Lambert. Theyve taught me a lot of things. I feel like Ill be a good defensive back this year.
The Redbirds return to the practice field Friday for a two session slate, with the first session at 9 a.m. and the second at 8:30 p.m.
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