Photo Gallery | Sean Slattery Interview
NORMAL, Ill. – In a practice that was filled with action on both sides, the Illinois State football team came out in full pads under the hot August sun for practice No. 13 of fall camp that was highlighted by a live team session Wednesday afternoon at Hancock Stadium.
Head coach, Brock Spack switched things up a bit by flipping the script for Wednesday's practice on the turf. Instead of the usual special team's circuit to start practice, Redbird kickers Sean Slattery and Zach Breen went straight into kicking field goals.
It was then time for some hard hitting football, as a live 30-minute team session followed. After a few failed attempts from the offense, Jake Kolbe and company stepped up to the line for a five-play drive that began with a 35-yard hook up to a wide open Anthony Warrum and ended with a 25-yard field goal from Slattery. Malachi Broadnax and his crew followed, keeping the drive alive, as Broadnax had a chance to show off some fancy footwork by first escaping a sack and then twirling through several defenders to easily pick up the first down.
Tristan Smith's group wrapped up the team session, but it was Brannon Barry who took control on defense, going vertical and knocking down Smith's pass right after it had left his hands. Wide receiver Bryce Jefferson picked the offense back up with a diving catch; however it was not enough for the first down forcing the offense to kick a field goal. Breen's kick was ruled good as the horn sounded, signaling the 7-on-7 period.
While the linemen did some one-on-one work in the north end zone, the rest of the team gathered for the first of two 7-on-7 periods scheduled. Smith ended a perfect 6-for-6, including a pair of passes to Matt Biegalski who shot through two defenders to make an extraordinary catch. Kolbe also impressed with a notable performance, going 7-for-8 with a pair of completions to both Spencer Schnell and Warrum.
A man-to-man coverage drill followed, giving wide receivers coach Kane Keirnan a chance to call some different routes. The session was highlighted by Broadnax's pair of touchdown receptions to Jefferson who ran two solid routes in order to get away from each defender. After a second 7-on-7 session, the Redbirds came together for a perimeter drill that was completely dominated by the defense. Jason Harris, Nathan Iloilo and Blake Hooper each recorded a sack, while Barry tallied two throughout the 12-play session. Cole Bumpus also made himself known, tipping the ball out of the air away from the offense to end the period.
From the perimeter session, the Redbirds divided up by position for individual work. The team ended practice with a 12-play blitz period. Kolbe showed potential in the beginning, but in the end the defense triumphed rattling the offense to pick up a combined three pass breakups and one sack.
The Redbirds will return to the field for a two-a-day Thursday, with the morning session getting underway at 9 a.m., 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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