Fall Camp Report 6: The End Is Near

NORMAL, Ill. – Work in the red zone was the key at the end of practice for the Redbirds Thursday morning, as the first and second team units each got a crack at the end zone from the 17-yard line with a fresh set of sticks. The team also ran 20 plays of third-down and various yards-to-go situations to see how well they could move the ball to wrap things up.

Practice Highlights:
•    At the end of practice, the first and second string groups worked with the football inside the red zone.
•    Brady Davis connected with Braxton Haley for a 17-yard touchdown on the first attempt, and the second chance resulted in a 28-yard field goal by JT Bohlken
•    During the third-down period, or the "money down" as the coaches refer it, the offense was a combined 8-for-20 
•    Quarterbacks Jake Kolbe and Davis finished the day with a combined nine touchdowns … Kolbe was 15-for-21 for 148 yards with four touchdowns, and Davis went 9-21 for 86 yards and five touchdowns overall
•    Running backs James Robinson, Markel Smith, Jordan Birch, and Nick Kielbasa each carried the ball a significant amount of time between the different drills, but the biggest play for the backs came through the air when Robinson hauled in a 40-yard reception during the team period
•    Haley led the way with three touchdown receptions during Thursday's workout, with Kentre Patterson, Tanner Taula, Taylor Grimes, Andrew Edgar, Trenton Hatfield and Kielbasa each recording a touchdown as well 
•    Defensive highlights included a Malachi Broadnax forced fumble and a Christian Uphoff interception during the third-down drill that he returned for a 33-yard touchdown

Thoughts From Coach Spack:
"We can tell that the end of camp is close, because it is becoming more and more of a grind for the players out here. Today was another physical one and we were sluggish to begin with, but rallied and closed out practice strong. The players are really learning how to fight through adversity right now with bumps, bruises and soreness to still get the work in they need. We've seen continued progression throughout camp, and I look forward to wrapping things up Saturday with the Red White Scrimmage before school starts on Monday."

Camp News & Notes:
•    Thursday was the final practice in full pads, before Saturday's annual Red-White Scrimmage at 4 p.m. at Hancock Stadium

Up Next:
ISU returns to the field Friday at 4 p.m. for practice No. 13. For live updates, photos, and video from 2018 Redbird Football Fall Camp, follow the team's official Twitter account @RedbirdFB and log onto GoRedbirds.com.

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