April 16, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State football team returned to its own grass practice field on Monday, for a full-padded workout session.
"It was a beautiful day with beautiful weather," head coach Denver Johnson said. "This is the kind of day you hope for during spring ball and hopefully we will have several this week. It was good to get outside in relatively ideal conditions. I think the kids were appreciative to get out."
Since ISU was practicing outside, the Redbirds worked out for 24, five-minute periods, which was one of the longer practice sessions of the spring.
"Since we had been inside we had a couple abbreviated practices because you are limited on what you can do," Johnson said. "Coming out today, I don't think some of the guys were as acclimated to (practicing 24 periods) as well as you would like, since we haven't been outside consistently."
Every time the Redbirds have gone full pads during workouts this spring, the physicality of practice has increased. Again that was the case on Monday and according to Johnson there is reason for it.
"We need to be tougher. I didn't feel like we were as tough as we needed to be last year, even though we had a great season," Johnson said. "There were a few times where we weren't as tough as I wished we would be, particularly in the running game - not getting it on a third-and-short. I felt that one of the points of emphasis this spring was for us to get a little more toughness - physically and mentally. We want to be good when it's not easy, that's what toughness is."
The Redbirds had a pair of team periods during the practice, with the second one focusing on a situational scrimmage. In the first team period, the Redbird quarterbacks were a combined 2-for-10 passing, with Colin Greiner and Michael Osifalujo each breaking up a pass.
During 7-on-7, senior Luke Drone completed 8-of-11 passes and Preston Earl was 7-for-8. Two of Drone's incompletions were caused by Tom Nelson, who intercepted a pass, and Bill Hronec, who had a pass break up. Kevin Brockway finished with a 2-for-10 effort.
Facing a third-and-six situation during the final team period, the Redbird offense collected first downs in seven of the 19 snaps from center. The highlight of the period came on a reception in the flat that Bert Whigham took up field and through his roommate, Jason Tate, to get the first down.
NOTES: Kye Stewart missed Monday's practice with a slight ankle sprain and Bill Speiser pulled out of the workout with a sprained left shoulder.
