Aug. 18, 2005
News and Notes:
- After a long two-a-day session on Wednesday, the Illinois State football team returned to the practice field for just one practice on Thursday beginning at 2:30 p.m. The practice consisted of 24, five-minute periods which the Redbird worked through in full pads and 87-degree heat.
- The Redbirds will work through their last two-a-day session Friday with a morning practice at 8:30 a.m. and a night practice at 7:30 p.m.
- Junior transfer Pierre Rembert earned the `break down' honors from head coach Denver Johnson, after converting several hard runs for first downs during the team session.
Victory Shared by Offense and Defense:
- The Redbirds worked through their `Victory Drill' in practice Thursday, giving the offense and defense looks at key third down situations at the end of a game.
- The victory drill lasted four series, with the offense scoring on the first series from a long Brian Thompson touchdown run. After a stop on the second series by the defense, the offense converted the first down on series three. However, James Stevenson III stepped up on third down to force a split of the victory drill, two series apiece for the offense and defense.
Siskowic With the Pick:
On a crucial third down situation during the team drill, junior linebacker Cameron Siskowic stepped up for the defense with an interception off Wally Cirafesi, returning it 40 yards for a touchdown much to the delight of his teammates and coaches.
Airing it Out:
- Although the rest of their bodies may have been tired, the Redbird quarterbacks arms were feeling fine Thursday. Redbird quarterbacks connected for long touchdown passes twice during their 7-on-7 drill.
- Luke Drone was the first to connect, with a 60 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Horton down the right sideline. Kevin Brockway soon followed with his long pass to fullback Tristan Borzick down the middle of the field for a touchdown.
Mental Intesity:
Head coach Denver Johnson challenged his players to cut down on their mental mistakes made Wednesday night before they took the field Thursday. His players responded with no unforced errors during practice, as there were no offside, false start or illegal motion penalties called by the coaching staff.
Quotable:
"I'm extremely pleased with the way the guys bounced back today," said head coach Denver Johnson. "I challenged the players to fight through the aches and pains and come out here and have a strong practice, both physically and mentally. They responded with a nearly mistake free practice and cut down on the unforced errors that plagued us yesterday."
