The Illinois State defense, dressed in white, stifled the Redbird offense for the majority of the day and claimed a 78-37 victory in the annual Red-White Spring Game at Hancock Stadium Saturday afternoon in a 90-minute running clock scrimmage.
With the Red team leading 18-15, the ISU defense scored 15 unanswered points to take a 30-18 lead, one that it would never relinquish. The 15-0 run included a tackle for loss by
Ronnie Tate and a pair of sacks by Kory Andersen and Brent Hawkins. The White team led 35-27 at the intermission with running back
Pierre Rembert scoring the games only touchdown, a six-yard run.
Head coach Denver Johnson was pleased with the Redbirds performance, on both sides of the ball.
Overall, Im extremely pleased, Johnson said. The jazz level and the attitude is very high and I believe we are headed in the right direction.
In the second half, the Redbird defense forced a pair of turnovers, earning six points for each on the unique scoring system, to blow the game wide open. Junior
James Temple picked off a Nick Gehrts pass, while
Cameron Siskowic recovered a fumble that was forced by Hawkins.
Defense was a big focus of ours in the off-season, Johnson said. I think we gained some confidence this spring. The defensive line has progressed. They get to the ball quickly and they do a nice job at controlling the line of scrimmage.
Rembert posted the longest play from scrimmage for the Redbird offense with a 33-yard run in the second half and the defense only allowed two gains over 30 yards or more during the contest.
There was always a handful of breakdowns that has cost us some games in the past, Johnson said. Today, we didnt give up the big play. We want to try and make the offense earn their points.
Sophomore
Luke Drone, who only played the first half, moved the offense well. He finished with 86 yards on 8-for-14 passing, while adding 36 yards on the ground in six carries. Redshirt freshman Wally Cirafesi completed 9-of-12 attempts for 77 yards.
I feel a lot better about our quarterback situation coming out of spring than I did coming in, Johnson said. Im sure one of them will jump out ahead of the pack and well be able to make a decision in the fall. I hope its a tough decision because that means that all of them are playing well.
Rembert led the Redbirds in rushing with 87 yards on 16 carries and Brian Thompson added 73 yards on 12 attempts. Sophomore Kyle Hill was the Reds leading receiver with eight catches for 70 yards.
The Redbirds had four players with seven tackles, including
Alex Filin,
Jesse Caesar,
Bill Hronec and Shawn Jaudon. Tate posted three tackles for loss and added a sack. The Birds also got sacks from Siskowic, Hawkins, Kory Andersen, Brennan Carroll and
Justin Martindale. The defense also forced four fumbles and recovered one.
The scrimmage concludes the 2005 spring camp and the Redbirds report for fall camp on August 6 to prepare for the season opener at Iowa State on September 3.
