A long and grueling fall camp finally came to an end Saturday night for the Illinois State football team.
After two weeks of practices under the hot August sun, the Redbirds closed training camp with its second scrimmage of the camp at Hancock Stadium. Illinois State head coach Denver Johnson saw the tired and fatigued look on everyones faces.
I tell you what I liked, theyre dead tired, we have worn them out, Johnson said. Theyre out of gas. Weve been at this for two weeks. Weve kept them busy, weve got them up early and kept them up late. I told them two weeks ago that when we got to this day wed be worn out and I think that they are.
The Redbirds started off the first half with a 30 minute running clock, devoting the entire time to offense and defense. During the second half, the Redbirds ran more plays, but also worked on special teams. In all, the Redbirds ran 60 plays on the evening.
Demetrus Johnson scored on a 2-yard touchdown run on the teams first offensive series. The offense scored again on their third series. This time it was Yance Vaughan connecting with Alex Filin on a 33-yard scoring strike. The play was set up by a 45-yard run from Sha-Ron Edwards.
Vaughan threw another touchdown pass in the second half, this time finding Avery Massengale from 20 yards out. Edwards scored the final touchdown of the game on a 66-yard run.
Edwards looked particularly sharp on the night, carrying the ball 12 times for 153 yards and a touchdown.
I just wanted to come out and spark it up, Edwards said. Everybody was kind of dead at first, so I just wanted to help get things going.
Stephen Carroll was 4-for-4 on field goals in the second half, including one from 52 yards out.
The Redbirds didnt make it through the scrimmage without injuries though. Sophomore defensive tackle Nick Rohrer suffered a sprained knee on a goal line play and will have an MRI on Monday.
Johnson is giving his team Monday off for the first day of classes. However, the team will practice Sunday at 3:30.
