After a full day of festivities on Tuesday, the Illinois State football team took the field once again on Wednesday morning at Hancock Stadium donning full pads for the first time during the fall camp.
Head coach Denver Johnson was pleased with what he saw, but it wasnt as good as it could have been.
We werent as sharp as I would have liked to be, but we got after it pretty good, Johnson said. Even though weve been (practicing) just once a day, weve been pretty tough on them and kept them busy with full days. Im sure that type of time schedule attributed to our effort today. Overall I was pleased with the practice and look forward to the pair tomorrow.
In the final half of practice, the Redbirds went seven-on-seven and had a few periods of a full scrimmage. Sha-Ron Edwards and Demetrus Johnson each busted 10-yard gains.
The Birds wrapped up the practice with goaline situations. The offense scored on three of the four attempts with two runs coming from Edwards and the other from Johnson. All three times, the tailback was aided by the blocking of true freshman Tristan Borzick from the fullback position.
Tristan Borzick really stood out for us today as a fullback, Johnson said. We are really searching for that guy that might be a good blocking H-back for us. Tristan went up in there on an inside drill and really stuck it up in there pretty good and showed up again in the team scrimmage. Were searching for that guy that go in and go head-hunting for folks.
Defensively, true freshman Horrace Holloway cracked through the middle of the line and stopped the Illinois State offense on the goaline.
Sophomore offensive lineman Mike Stegeman is also happy with the progress of the Redbirds so far.
The offense is looking great, Stegeman said. The offensive line is as deep as its been since Ive been here. We have 16 guys out there right now and it is very competitive. I love it. Competition forces people to get better which makes the group better and the team better as a whole.
The Redbirds return to the field on Thursday for the first two-a-day of the camp. The morning session will begin at 8:30 a.m. in full pads with the Birds taking the turf again at 3:30 p.m. in shorts and shoulder pads.
NOTES:
Redshirt freshman Leon Kittrell battled abdominal cramps at the completion of practice and will likely be out for Thursday.
Wide receiver Joe Walkins missed practiced with a sore hamstring.
Junior fullback J.P. Dundas was diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain in his left shoulder and will likely miss the remainder of camp.
Cornerback Antwan Oliver sat out during the scrimmage recovering from an ankle sprain.
