Aug. 17, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
A strong rushing game is crucial to any football team's success, and the Illinois State football team is well aware of that fact. The Redbirds ranked second in the Gateway Football Conference in 2005, with almost 209 rushing yards per game as a team, something that certainly helped the team to a 7-4 record. In Thursday afternoon's practice, the `Birds focused heavily on the run game during the 24 periods on the grass practice field in hopes of replicating last year's success in 2006.
Head coach Denver Johnson liked what he saw in the running game throughout practice.
I think we got something done with our running game today," said Johnson. We know how important the run game is for us and we really tried to focus on that heavily in both team periods today. For the most part, we had a good day. "
For the first half of practice, ISU continued to work on its special teams units. Bobby Kelsey nailed a 48-yard field goal in the field goal drill, and the Redbird coaching staff continued to evaluate its talent on the kickoff and punt coverage teams.
In the first team drill, Rafael Rice and Pierre Rembert each carried the ball seven times, gaining 28 and 17 yards, respectively. Newcomers Geno Blow and Alan Abrams also got into the action, as each carried the ball four times during the drill.
Feeling left out, the Redbird quarterbacks moved on to 7-on-7 work, with Luke Drone and Kevin Brockway both throwing well. Drone finished 9-for-14 with 103 yards, including two passes for over 25 yards each to wide receiver Jason Horton over the middle of the field. Brockway threw for 121 yards on 7-of-11 passing, highlighted by a would-be touchdown pass to receiver Dan Passarelli. Linebackers Cameron Siskowic and Niall Campbell each recorded a pass break-up during the drill to pace the defense.
The ISU running backs continued to see work early in the second team session, with Rembert leading the way with four carries for 26 yards. After working on the running game, the focus quickly shifted to offensive line working on pass protection schemes and the defense implementing nickel blitzes. Whatever the defensive secondary was doing must have worked, as safety Nick Passarelli and defensive back Jason Tate snagged back-to-back interceptions to end practice.
ISU returns to practice on Friday at 2:30 p.m. for its final tune-up before playing in front of the community and incoming ISU freshman in Saturday's Red-White Scrimmage.
