NORMAL, Ill. – For the first time since spring camp started, the Illinois State Football team was greeted by clear skies and sunshine for Saturday's workout at Hancock Stadium.
Head coach Brock Spack kicked things up a notch and increased the intensity, as the Redbirds went live for the first time this spring. The defense set the tone for the day, challenging the offense throughout the morning.
After the usual circuit period, the Redbirds went straight into the blitz period. To get things started, Decxavier Kelly-Martin exploded past the offensive line to reach Jake Kolbe for the sack. The offense responded, as James Robinson warmed up his legs rushing 10 yards for a first down. On the next play, the defense answered with a sack from Adam Conley. To cap off the drill, Conor Joyce completed a picture-perfect play, launching the pigskin to Anthony Fowler who dove through the air to catch the ball just inside the inbounds line.
The Redbirds then broke into a lengthy individual period where the defense worked heavily on stripping and recovering the ball, while the offense focused on ball security. From there, the 'Birds split up into two groups, with half participating in a 9-on-7 drill, while the defensive backs and wide receivers worked against each other during one-on-ones.
A 24-play 7-on-7 session followed, where junior tight end Tylor Petkovich stole the show catching two 40-yard receptions from both Kolbe and Tristan Smith. Additionally, Smith also connected with Fowler for a 40-yard reception. However, the momentum swung in the defense's direction with Ty DeForest, Devin Taylor, Davontae Harris each tallying a pass breakup, while Willie Edwards and Christian Uphoff recorded key interceptions.
At the horn, coach Spack called the team together to inform them that the rest of practice would be live. The Redbirds worked through a series of game-like situations. The session focused on the running game and began with the offense coming out of the end zone from the four-yard line. On the first play, James Robinson snuck through a hole to easily pick up a first down. Dalton Keene put an end to the drive with a sack on fourth down that sent the second string unit out to try their luck. Later on, Spack moved the ball to the 27-yard line where Kolbe connected with Andy Mills on back-to-back connections to pick up a key first down. Jordan Birch also had a good day carrying the ball on back-to-back plays to rush for a first down.
The defense then fired things up, taking a stand and never looking back. Keene, James Graham and Conley each tallied a sack, while Tyree Horton and Nathan Iloilo made their presence known each earning a tackle-for-loss. The usual PAT/field goal period capped off practice as Sean Slattery booted one 48 yards through the center of the uprights as the final horn sounded.
The Redbirds will return to Hancock Stadium Tuesday for the sixth practice of the spring, with a 3 p.m. start scheduled. For live practice updates, photos and video follow the official Redbird Football Twitter account @RedbirdFB and log on to GoRedbirds.com for full coverage throughout the spring.
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