April 11, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
In typical fashion, the Illinois State football team followed up its first scrimmage of spring camp with a lighter 20, five-minute period practice session Tuesday at Hancock Stadium. The Redbirds wore shells (shoulder pads and shorts), while working out in 70-degree temperatures.
"We wanted to pull off the lower pads today and just go in shells," Johnson said. "After watching the film, I saw a lot of good things and some bad things that should be easily corrected. That's really the emphasis for us today and again on Thursday, is to go back and correct the mental mistakes and iron out the wrinkles.
"We have quite a bit in offensively and defensively, so we just felt like we need to step back a day or two and just get caught up a little mentally. We've thrown quite a bit at them and they've handled well, but we just wanted to secure what we are doing."
Because of limited contact and mobility in the drill, both Luke Drone and Kevin Brockway took control of the Redbird offense during the 7-on-7 portion. Drone completed 7-of-11 passes, while Brockway was 7-of-12 with an interception by redshirt freshman linebacker J.W. Sheering.
During the team period, Brockway handled every possession, which focused on the passing game due to the lack of proper equipment. Brockway finished the team scrimmage completing 14-of-20 passes. Senior safety James Temple added another interception off an arid Brockway pass, while Niall Campbell also added a pick off a tipped pass.
The Redbirds opened practice with the normal routine and placed an emphasis on special teams play. During the extra point session, Kevin Mazur and Bobby Kelsey each made their two PAT attempts. Senior Jake Weber continued to provide the snapping duties, while Wally Cirafesi shared the holding responsibilities with Warren McCarty.
During the field goal workouts, Mazur and Kelsey each converted 37-yard attempts, while Mazur hit a pair of tries for 47 yards out. Kelsey's 47-yard field goal try was blocked by Mitchell Matthews. Tom Nelson, along with Cirafesi, each took turns with the hold. With a stiff wind to their backs, the kicking tandem each missed an attempt from 57 yards out and another from 60.
Mazur and Kelsey continued to share punting responsibilities on the punt team, while both Jake Rourke and Dan Passarelli worked out as punt returners.
The Redbirds will take a day off before returning to practice on Thursday at 3 p.m.
