Photo Gallery | Ryan Gelber Interview
NORMAL, Ill. – After four days of practicing in just helmets and shells, the Illinois State football team dialed up the intensity Thursday afternoon, persevering through the stifling heat and humidity in its first practice in full pads.
Head coach Brock Spack switched things up a bit, moving practice to the grass field instead of the normal turf. The special teams circuit kicked things off, as Zach Breen booted balls through the uprights from the 30-yard line. On the opposite end of the field, defensive backs coaches Cody Deti and Khenon Hall teamed up to lead the cornerbacks and safeties through some drills along the sideline.
From there, the team went into its normal blitz drill, before moving on to individual work. Wide receivers coach Kane Keirnan and assistant coach Corey Shandrick ran their wide receivers through an outside speed release drill, where coach Kiernan stressed the importance of the chopping motion against the cornerbacks.
About 45 minutes into practice the horn blew, signaling a well-deserved water break to give the players a chance to cool down and rebuild their stamina before transitioning into 7-on-7. It was a slow start for the offense, as Alec Kocour and B.J Bello tallied back-to-back pass breakups to get things started. A few plays later, redshirt-freshman Josh Sromovsky broke through the offensive line to bring Koty Thelen to the ground for a sack. Later in the drill, Thelen connected with Michael Kolzow twice, with the second of the two resulting in a touchdown.
Immediately following 7-on-7, the 'Birds went into 9-on-7 and 1-on-1 drills. Freshman quarterback Tristan Smith threw a near perfect 8-for-9 on the afternoon, disturbed only by one pass breakup by Jarrell Jackson. Thelen went 5-for-8, highlighted by a touchdown pass deep down the center of the field that was caught by Anthony Fowler.
It didn't take long for Kolbe to find Anthony Warrum during the second 7-on-7 session of the day, as Kolbe notched a 25-yarder to Warrum on the opening play to get things started on a positive note for the offense. However, it was Christian Gibbs who provided the offensive highlight of the day for the 'Birds by making a leaping catch from Kolbe at the Redbird 20-yard line. Thelen topped off the drill with a long pass to Fowler, who caught it deep in the end zone to record his second touchdown on the day.
Two team periods took up the last half hour of practice, with an intense, 15-play no huddle situation getting the drill started. The ball was placed on the goal line, pressuring the offense to get a quick first down. It was the defense who took over control early, as Mitchell Brees picked off Kolbe's throw intended for Warrum on second down. The defense continued to show resilience, as Matt Swaine tipped Thelen's pass for the breakup, and DeMarco Washington reached Smith for the sack. The first team period ended with an interception by Christian Uphoff that sent the defense into a celebratory frenzy.
Following another 13-play no huddle session, kicker Sean Slattery booted one through from the 45 yard-line as the final horn blew.
The Redbirds will return to the field for its first two-a-day session Friday, with the morning practice kicking off at 9 a.m. That will be followed by an evening session at 7 p.m. For live practice updates, photos and video follow the official Redbirds Football Twitter account @RedbirdFB and log onto GoRedbirds.com for full live coverage throughout the fall camp.
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