Kolbe Throws Two Touchdowns In Red-White Scrimmage

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NORMAL, Ill. – It was not your typical scrimmage Saturday at Hancock Stadium, with the Illinois State offensive and defensive units working through special scenarios rather than a typical game situation. However, the Redbirds were able to give the fans some excitement, as quarterback Jake Kolbe threw two touchdown passes to highlight the annual Red-White Scrimmage.

The redshirt sophomore signal caller finished the day 11-for-20 for 121 yards with scores to sophomore running back George Moreira and senior All-American wide receiver Anthony Warrum. The first came during the two minute drill, as Kolbe found Moreira in the middle of the defense in the red zone and gave the offense its first touchdown of the game with 20 seconds left on the clock. However, on the ensuing extra point attempt, defensive lineman Dalton Keene blocked the Sean Slattery kick and defensive back Davontae Harris scooped up the ball and returned it 90-plus yard for two points for the defense.

Kolbe's other score was on the first-team unit's last possession of the scrimmage. The team drove 65 yards in six plays to find the end zone on a 36-yard connection to Warrum in the corner, as he leaped over defensive back La'Darius Newbold for the touchdown. The score was set up by an 18-yard run by redshirt freshman tailback DeMarco Corbin and a 13-yard completion from Kolbe to sophomore transfer wide receiver Spencer Schnell.

The defense was staunch against the running game throughout the scrimmage, with the longest gain of the day coming on Corbin's run and a 15-yard carry by freshman Jordan Birch. The passing game fared a bit better, with quarterbacks combining to throw for 213 yards, including a nifty 47-yard completion from freshman Malachi Broadnax to a diving Chase Pankey along the near sideline.  Schell led all receivers with four grabs, while Warrum added a pair for 44 yards with a score.

Defensively, freshman linebacker Ryan Guhl led the way with three tackles and two sacks on Broadnax late in the scrimmage.  Junior defensive end Adam Conley also tallied a trio of tackles, with one going for a two-yard loss. Matt Swaine, Steven Podkulski, Decxavier Kelly-Martin and James Graham also recorded sacks on the day, while BJ Bello and DraShane Glass each added a tackle-for-loss for the guys in white jerseys.

The scrimmage served as the culmination of fall camp, and the Redbirds will now move into preparation for the home opener Sept. 3 against Valparaiso at Hancock Stadium at 6 p.m. To order tickets, log onto GoRedbirds.com/tickets or call the Redbird Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000.

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