Head coach Denver Johnson extended the team period Friday to give Illinois States second and third teams some extra reps during the tenth practice session of the spring campaign, as the Birds worked 24 periods in full pads at Hancock Stadium.
Before the extended period the Redbird offense took their crack at first downs inside the defenses 10-yard line. The offense had its way scoring repeatedly on the ground and through the air. Johnson was happy with his offenses success rate, but not how the defense responded.
I was happy with the offense, but I was disappointed with our defense down there, Johnson said. I thought they were a little sluggish. It wasnt really a true goal line situation with it being first down on the eight and we dont have our goal line personnel with (Steve) Statz and (Clint) Keller both being hurt. It was a goal line situation, but it was a watered down situation.
With the ball moved 70 yards from the endzone, the Redbird offense again focused its attack against the Redbird defense during the extended team scrimmage. The match-up pitted ISU reserves against each other and the defense rebounded as senior cornerback Evan Allen-Gessesse picked off Jordan Borowiczs pass on a fly pattern. Johnson wanted the reserves to get some extra time on the job.
We went a little longer on the team period with the younger guys, Johnson said. We wanted to have a chance to get some reps for them on film. We took our No. 1 offense and our No. 1 defense out of it and wanted to get a little extra work in for those younger guys. We got several guys in there that need to get every rep that they can.
Illinois State returns to the field on Saturday morning at 10 a.m., for a light workout before the second scrimmage of the spring camp on Sunday.
