Aug. 19, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State football team was scheduled to run through their second practice of the day Friday night, but head coach Denver Johnson had a surprise in store for his players. At the 2 p.m. team meeting, Johnson informed his players that they would be spending the afternoon at Fairview Aquatic Center, after running through a sweltering morning practice in full pads.
The Redbirds will return to the practice field for their annual Passages Scrimmage, Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The offense and defense will work through two periods of work under the lights at Hancock Stadium for loyal Redbird fans and incoming freshman to Illinois State. Coach Johnson believes the scrimmage is a good way to kick off the school year for the players and the fans.
"We just try to go out and have some fun for the scrimmage," said Johnson. "It gives the fans an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the players and it allows the players to relax and put on a good show for the fans. It will also be good to see how the players will react to the fans in the stands watching them and see how they look out their in their game day uniforms."
Coach Johnson and the Redbirds kick off the 2005 season September 3 at Iowa State, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
