Aug. 2, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
It has been said that championships are won in training camp. If that's the case, the Illinois State football team got off to a great start in its hunt for the 2007 Gateway Football Conference championship as the Redbirds opened camp under the lights Thursday night at Hancock Stadium.
"We are in tremendous shape," head coach Denver Johnson said. "The kids did a great job this summer with Coach (Rohrk) Cutchlow and his staff. I was impressed with how we came into camp a year ago, but we have surpassed that. We seem to be in excellent physical condition, and the guys showed that, with a tough conditioning test this morning, and to coming back out to practice in the evening."
The team worked out for 24, five-minute periods in helmets and shorts. Near the end of practice, the offense faced the defense during a 7-on-7 drill. First-Team All-Gateway quarterback Luke Drone completed 5-of-10 attempts, while Kevin Brockway was 6-for-10. Kelvin Chandler and Garin Harcar were the leading receivers with three catches apiece.
Defensively, Jason Tate posted a pair of pass break-ups, while Chris Garrett added another. J.W. Sheering intercepted a Drew Kiel pass as well.
"For the first day, I am really impressed where we are," Johnson said. "The guys just snapped back into practice mode, the recall level is high and we are further along than where you would expect to be on the first day. This is what we have to do in August - we have to have a great camp, get school started off on the right foot and we have to beat Drake. That's what we are focused on right now."
During special teams work, both Kyle Siskowic and Joe Doyle shared long-snapping duties on field goal attempts, while Drone, Preston Earl and Tom Nelson each took turns as the holder.
The Redbirds return to practice at 7:30 p.m., Friday for the second of two "helmet-only" sessions.
NOTES:
Incoming freshman Eric Brunner (Glendale, Wis.) was taken off the 90-man roster due to injury. Brunner injured his right elbow in the Wisconsin All-Star Game and the MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). He is out for the season and needs to be scheduled for "Tommy John" surgery.
Newcomers added to the Illinois State roster include freshmen Casey Cline (Gibson City, Ill.), Sam Donatucci (Arlington Heights, Ill.), Josh Howe (Chicago Heights, Ill.), Trevor Huddleston (Normal, Ill.), Cal McCarthy (Shorewood, Ill.) and Josh Mitchell (Bloomington, Ill.).
Unofficially, sophomore defensive back Jason Tate won the award for the wildest camp haircut. Tate's crown sports his uniform number "21" and a series of lightning bolts.
The Redbirds opened training camp sporting new Nike practice jerseys and shorts.
On Friday morning, the Redbirds will participate in the annual media day and have the 2007 team photo taken.
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