Fall Camp Report 8: Fall Camp Is A Wrap

NORMAL, Ill. – The annual Red-White Scrimmage is the culmination of fall training camp for the Illinois State football team, and players were excited to compete in front of fans for the first time this fall Saturday at Hancock Stadium in the intra-squad battle.

The scrimmage took on more of a practice feel, with several key scenarios being worked on. Each unit got to drive the field twice in the first half, first from the 34-yard line and then the 42-yard line. Live kickoffs and punts were also practiced, before the Big Red Marching Machine took the field for a halftime performance, as the players took a water break. After the intermission, each group got to work through a two-minute drill and then an overtime period to wrap things up.

Red-White Scrimmage Highlights:
•    On the first drive of the day, the first-team offense put points on the board as quarterback Brady Davis connected with senior wide receiver Spencer Schnell for a 59 yard gain down to the 4-yard line … Markel Smith then bowled his way in from a yard out two plays later for the only touchdown of the scrimmage
•    The other big pass play of the day came from the duo of freshman quarterback Bryce Jefferson and freshman wide receiver Stephen Halusan, who connected on a 60-yard bomb on the last series of the game that set up a 35-yard field goal by Sam Fenlason to end the scrimmage
•    Davis finished the day 8-for-13 for 138 yards, with Halusan leading the way for the receivers with three catches for 83 yards 
•    Andrew Edgar also grabbed three passes for 42 yards, while Schnell finished with two receptions for 67 yards
•    Nick Kielbasa led the way for the running backs with six carries for 28 yards, with Smith recording the only touchdown on the ground
•    JT Bohlken also added a 39-yard field goal to round out the scoring on the day in the overtime session for the offense
•    The defense was led by junior defensive back Willie Edwards, who had six tackles and two sacks on the day
•    Decxavier Kelly-Martin also had a standout day, with four tackles and two tackles of his own 
•    Defensive lineman Josh Dinga and Matt Swaine also added sacks on the day, while Jaden Hacha and Kenton Wilhoit each added a TFL
•    The defense recorded five pass breakups as well, with Clayton Isbell, Christian Uphoff, Malachi Broadnax, Devin Taylor and Tuvone Clark each disrupting attempts

Up Next:
•    The Redbirds will have Sunday and Monday off as they start classes on campus, before returning to practice Tuesday to continue their preparation for the season opener on Sept. 1 against Saint Xavier at 6:30 p.m. at Hancock Stadium.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.