April 8, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
The sunshine returned to Central Illinois on Saturday and the Illinois State football team took full advantage with a spirited two-hour practice at Hancock Stadium.
"It was a really good day, a really good day," head coach Denver Johnson said. "We are seeing some improvement on the defensive side of the ball and we really had some bright moments on the offensive side of the ball too. It was a really good practice with a lot of flow to it, where the offensive would get the best of the defense and the defense would get the best of the offense. When you have that, that's a good competitive practice."
The Redbirds opened practice by working on PATs and field goals. Both Kevin Mazur and Bobby Kelsey alternated kicks, while Jake Weber snapped and Wally Cirafesi provided the hold. Mazur and Kelsey each converted on all three of their PATs tries. The tandem also both made a pair field goals from 32 yards out, before each hitting a 37-yarder.
After working on the field goal unit, the Redbirds went right into punt coverage and return. Once again, Mazur and Kelsey provided the leg, while Weber assisted with the long snap. Pierre Jackson, Jake Rourke and Dan Passarelli each alternated on the punt returns.
In the 7-on-7 drill, Kevin Brockway completed 16-of-20 pass attempts, including five completions to Jackson. One of Brockway's four incompletions resulted in a Kyle Siskowic interception. Returning starting quarterback Luke Drone provided Brockway some relief and completed all three of his pass attempts.
"Luke came out and was able to throw a little bit during skelly," Johnson said. "We put him in the (shot) gun, so he didn't have to do anything really physical with his feet. It was good to see him in there. He made a couple of good throws and he's just chopping at the bit to get back in there. He sees the competition at quarterback and offense beginning to mature and he certainly wants to be a part of it."
In the team period, Brockway reclaimed the reigns and completed 12-of-19 passes, including a 75-yard touchdown pass to Laurént Robinson. Senior Pierre Rembert led all ISU running backs with 66 yards on 11 carries, while Rafael Rice rushed for seven yards on six attempts and his younger brother Cortes Rice had five yards on two carries.
During the team period, the Redbirds implemented a situational scrimmage. In the first scenario, the offense had the ball on its own 26-yardline on third and four and the ISU offense successfully recorded a first down in four of the six plays. In the second situation, the Redbird offense had the ball third and 8, on its own 22-yardline and notched three first downs in eight attempts.
"We have been working primarily first and 10 type stuff, so we wanted to get some scripted third down (plays) in today," Johnson said. "I thought we got what we needed to get on film. After watching the film, we'll coach and get better from there."
The Redbirds will return to the practice field on Sunday for the first scrimmage of spring camp. The contest will be officiated and is slated to start at 3 p.m.
"I want to see us get in and out of the huddle well," Johnson said. "I want to see us line up and put the ball in play efficiently offensively. Defensively, (I want to see us) get lined up, address the formations right, be fundamentally sound and tackle well."
