NORMAL, Ill. – Thursday's practice at Hancock Stadium was the final full-contact one for the Redbird football team before Saturday's annual Spring Showcase. The Redbirds went through the two-hour practice and put in crucial work before the team breaks for the summer and prepares for finals in three weeks.
Practice Highlights:
•   The focus of the day was the RED ZONE, as both 7-on-7 periods and the final team session took place and worked on the all-important scenario
•   Quarterbacks Brady Davis and Bryce Jefferson dominated the first 7-on-7 session, combining to throw for six touchdowns … Davis finished the drill 4-for-7 with a TD pass each to Andrew Edgar and Tanner Taula and two TD connections with Taylor Grimes … Two of Jefferson's three completions went for scores to Tristan Bailey and Eric Rogers, however he was credited with an interception when Ty DeForest hauled in a tipped pass for the pick
•   Following the perimeter drill and the 9-on-7 session, the focus returned back to the 24 yard line where the offense took over for the second 7-on-7 session
•   This time, the defense had all the momentum with three interceptions in the second period … After Davis led off the drill with a 24-yard TD pass to Cole Blackman, defenders Devin Taylor, Mike Gardner and Iverson Brown each recorded interceptions as the quarterbacks found completions hard to come by
•   The first and second-team units then each got a pair of chances to work in the red zone during the team period … The defense held strong on each of the four attempts, forcing field goal makes by Sam Fenlason (21, 40), Trevor Bond (21) and Aiden Bresnahan
•   A two-minute session wrapped things up and the first-team offense drove into enemy territory after an 18-yard completion from Davis to Edgar, but the drive ultimately came to an end on a sack by Tuvone Clark on fourth down … the second-team unit was also unsuccessful, as an interception by Dylan Draka ended practice on a high note for the guys in white jerseys
Thoughts From Coach Spack:
"We got some good work in today and I was pleased with the effort out there. This was really our last physical practice before the scrimmage Saturday, as we will come out in helmets only tomorrow and work with the split squads on our game plans for Saturday. We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday for the scrimmage and hope they like this team as much as we do."
Camp News & Notes:
•   All Redbird football alumni will be welcomed back for a tailgate prior to the Spring Showcase Scrimmage on Saturday … alumni interested in attending are encouraged to call the football office at (309) 438-8671 or email Nick Meyer at nrmeyer@ilstu.edu
•   The annual Kids Football Fest will take place prior to the scrimmage, with registration beginning at 10 a.m.  … for more information, visit GoRedbirds.com
•   The Spack Gives Back Campaign rolls on! For every new season ticket purchased, Coach Spack will donate $10 to the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund. For more information on season tickets, visit goredbirds.com or contact the Redbird Sales team at 309-438-8000
Up Next:
The Redbirds return to the field Friday at 3:30 p.m. for practice No. 14. For live updates, photos, and video from 2019 Redbird Football Spring Camp, follow the team's official Twitter (@RedbirdFB) and Instagram (@isuredbirdfb) accounts and log onto GoRedbirds.com.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
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