NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State football team got back into action with a fast and furious, albeit rusty, first day of training camp on a beautiful day Thursday afternoon at Hancock Stadium.
After a quick stretch period, the Redbirds broke up into individual work where each position group knocked off the rust of the summer layoff by loosening up, getting their feet under them and working up a sweat. The offensive and defensive linemen worked on opposite ends of the field, working on drills including sweeping under, and swimming over the top of defenders.
The offensive line welcomes back junior leaders Mark Spelman and Kyle Avaloy to anchor a line that led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in rushing touchdowns (41) and rushing yards per game (241.3). Spelman and Avaloy will look to help the likes of Ryan Gelber, Cameron Lee and Dan Pawlak to more of the same success they had in 2014.
As for the defensive line, 2014 All-MVFC First Team selection and preseason All-American Teddy Corwin will help lead an explosive attack that is hoping to wreak some havoc in the backfield. Corwin, along with returnees Dalton Keene and David "Boom" Perkins, looked sharp in today's first practice and will look to continue that intensity throughout the next two weeks of camp.
As with the beginning of every fall season there were plenty of fresh faces spread out on the field for the first time. Among the new athletes were several freshmen, including Bryce Jefferson, who flashed some top-end speed during several drills and live team sessions out of the backfield and in the slot position.
Once the 'Birds got things going, they ushered into a brief, 12-play blitz drill in which preseason All-American quarterback Tre Roberson connected with Anthony Warrum on the team's first play from scrimmage on a quick slant, and Warrum turned up field for a touchdown. Nathan Iloilo picked up two sacks during the drill for the defense, as practice got off to a quick start.
After the blitz drill, the squad broke up back into individual work. The quarterbacks and receivers worked on timing, most notably with inside slants and quick outs to the sideline in which the receivers worked on staying in-bounds by tapping their toes. The defensive backs worked on hands drills, including press coverage with hand pads, providing some brief intensity before the team regrouped for a short perimeter drill.
During the 7-on-7 drill that followed the perimeter session, Roberson finished 4-for-7, including a pair of nice completions to redshirt freshman tight end Tylor Petkovich, who looked sharp on day one. Quarterback Jake Kolbe finished the session 5-for-9, including one pass that was broken up perfectly by first-year transfer linebacker Reggie Spearman.
The 'Birds wrapped up the practice with a 25-play scrimmage where Roberson was a perfect 4-for-4, including a nice play-action fake completion to Petkovich out of the backfield. Kolbe finished 3-for-4, ending the day with a completion to Jefferson for a 15-yard gain. The team ended the practice by working on extra points, field goals and block techniques.
The Redbirds return to the field Friday for the second day of camp at 3p.m., when things start to pick up even more. To follow all of the Redbird football fall camp action and for more ISU football news, log on to GoRedbirds.com and follow the program on Twitter at @RedbirdFB.
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