April 3, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
With 19 letterwinners returning, including seven starters, it is no wonder why the Illinois State offense looked like it had not missed a beat. That was the case on Tuesday, as the Redbirds practiced for the second time this spring inside Horton Field House.
"The recall of the offense has been impressive to me," head coach Denver Johnson said. "It looks like we have been practicing for some time. We are where you would hope to be, with as many returning lettermen as we have."
The Redbirds worked out for 18, five-minute periods in helmets and shorts. Rain hit Bloomington-Normal again in mid-afternoon, forcing ISU to head indoors.
"I'm proud of our kids coming inside, under less than ideal conditions, and getting in a good practice," Johnson said. "With what we can't get done indoors with the physical intensity, I thought the mental intensity and the focus was really good."
The quality of focus was apparent during the final offensive period when junior wide receiver Jake Rourke laid out for a pass thrown by senior quarterback Luke Drone, despite the rough surface. Due to the limited space, the offense was never able to go against the defense and practice centered on fundamentals and the insertion of the playbook.
"I hope that the weather will cooperate and that we can get outside in the next few days," Johnson said. "We should be well prepared to put some pads on and go outside."
The Redbirds are scheduled to return to practice on Thursday, for the first of three straight days of spring workouts.
