Training Camp Report 2: Working On The Run Game

NORMAL, Ill. – On a bright, hot day the Illinois State football team got back to work, emphasizing individual sessions in addition to the running game on day two of Training Camp on Friday afternoon at Hancock Stadium.

The Redbirds started with their usual individual and special teams work, including punters Reece Attard and Sean Slattery booting balls to return men Anthony Warrum and Jon-Marc Anderson, who fought off the sun to field the kicks cleanly. From there, the 'Birds grouped into unified special teams work, which included a course of stripping and ripping through defenders, shedding would-be blockers and finally pursuing the ball while driving through the ball carrier. The team also worked on a tackling circuit during special teams action, honing in on perfecting their pursuit angles. 

Immediately following the special teams work, the offense and defense formed together for a blitz session. The 12-play action saw both sides make solid plays, as Teddy Corwin put his hands high in the air to bat a pass down at the line of scrimmage on the first play, but on the next play quarterback Tre Roberson found Anthony Warrum for a 15-yard completion in which Warrum made an acrobatic grab while tapping his toes on the sideline.

Warrum was one of the offensive standouts of the day, as Roberson looked for him early and often during the team periods, as well as harnessing his timing with the receiver during individual route running with no defenders. The junior showcased some soft hands while hauling in his fair share of grabs throughout the camp's second day.

Following the blitz session, the coaches ran the 'Birds through a lengthy series of individual fundamental work. On one side of the field, offensive coordinator Kurt Beathard worked hand-in-hand with Roberson and backup quarterbacks Jake Kolbe and Hasan Muhammad-Rogers to get the signal callers' timing down with their receivers and backs. Beathard emphasized depth on their routes, as well as pushing off with their feet to create separation between themselves and the defenders.

On the other side of Hancock Stadium, defensive backs coach Cody Deti and defensive assistant Khenon Hall ran their cornerbacks and safeties through several coverage and tackling drills. Some of the key points the coaches made were to backpedal, see the field, attack the ball and wrap up on tackles. The defensive backs also worked on catching interceptions at the high point of the throw, as well as stripping ball carrier from behind and scooping-and-scoring.

Team periods took up the last half hour of practice, with a fast-paced, 20-play scrimmage playing out in which a majority of the plays were passing calls. Although Christian Gibbs made a couple of nice grabs at the high-point of the pass, it was Pat Meehan and the defense that stood out, as the preseason All-American linebacker hauled in a nice interception.

After a 14-play running-exclusive session, the 7-on-7 drill followed, where Roberson finished 6-for-8 and Kolbe ended a perfect 8-for-8, including three connections with redshirt freshman receiver Matt Biegalski. The highlight of the session was a long touchdown connection between Kolbe and freshman Bryce Jefferson on a deep post route that split the two safety defenders. 

During the final 11-on-11 scrimmage that ended practice, the emphasis was almost exclusively on the running game, as Marshaun Coprich, George Moreira and James Graham each broke off nice runs. Roberson did find Warrum three times throughout the drill, including a nice quick slant in traffic. Then the 'Birds worked on extra point and field goals to wrap things up, where Slattery and Zach Breen alternated between kicks. 

The Redbirds return to the field Saturday for the third day of camp at 3:00 p.m., in their last day in just helmets before strapping on the shoulder pads. To follow all of the Redbird football spring camp action and more ISU football news, log on to GoRedbirds.com and follow the program on Twitter at @RedbirdFB.

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