NORMAL, Ill. – The sting of a heartbreaking loss to North Dakota State in the 2015 FCS National Championship Game still lingers for the Illinois State football program, but the journey towards a return trip to Frisco, Texas, next January officially begins Saturday, March 28, when 2014 Missouri Valley Football Conference Coach of the Year Brock Spack and the Redbirds open spring workouts at Hancock Stadium.
The Redbirds will take the field to practice as a full squad for the first time since Jan. 10, when the Redbirds battled the Bison in one of the most memorable FCS title games in recent history. The 2014 season was a magical one for ISU, which finished with a school-record 13 wins and won a share of its first conference title since 1999.
A total of 40 letterwinners and 11 starters return from that squad and all will be looking to make sure the success of the previous season was no fluke. Key returners like All-American and 2014 MVFC Offensive Player of the Year Marshaun Coprich and 2014 MVFC Newcomer of the Year Tre Roberson return on offense. First-team All-MVFC defensive standouts Pat Meehan and Teddy Corwin also return for their senior seasons, but will have some new teammates to mentor to fill the holes left by graduation.
Saturday's workout will begin at 2:30 p.m., followed by a Sunday practice beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Redbirds will then move to a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday schedule for the remainder of camp until it officially closes on April 25 with the annual Spring Showcase at 1 p.m.
For complete spring football coverage, follow GoRedbirds.com for practice recaps, photo galleries and videos from RedbirdHD.tv. Fans should also follow the Redbird Football program on Twitter at @RedbirdFB for live updates and behind-the-scenes looks from camp this spring.
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