NORMAL, Ill. – Not only did the Illinois State football team have its fourth practice of fall training camp Tuesday morning, but the Redbirds also welcomed in members of the media for their annual interview and photo day at Hancock Stadium.
Practice Highlights:
- Technique and tempo continued to be an early focus for both the offense and defense in the individual period which followed the regular special teams circuit.
- In the first of two 7-on-7 sessions, as quarterback Brady Davis and Bryce Jefferson combined to complete 12-of-16 passes during the period … Davis went 6-for-8, with three connections to wideout Taylor Grimes … Jefferson was also 6-for-8, with a pair of completions to transfer Cole Blackman including a 38-yard touchdown strike.
- A sack by defensive lineman Stephen Podkulski highlighted the blitz period and safety Clayton Isbell added one as well in the perimeter drill, shortly after Davis found Grimes for an 80-yard score.
- The highlight of the second 7-on-7 period was a 38-yard touchdown catch by Grimes, who leaped over a defender and trapped the ball against his back for the score in the end zone… Jefferson finished the drill with three-straight completions to Joey Lombardi.
- Practice ended with the team period and the PAT/field goal session, before the group was cut loose for lunch only to return for interviews and photos later in the afternoon.
Thoughts From Coach Spack:
"We are seeing the team progress a bit each day, which is what we need to see at this time in camp. We are conditioning them to get ready for contact Thursday when we put on full pads for the first time. They have answered the call through these first four acclimation days and now we find out just how physical we can play as we head through the rest of the week before Saturday's team scrimmage."
Media Day News & Notes:
- Over 15 members of local and regional media outlets came out to talk to players and coaches and were even serenaded by the squad as it was lining up for the team photo with a stirring rendition of "My Girl".
- The team sported its new red Nike jerseys, complete with the College Football 150 logo on the left shoulder to commemorate the 150th anniversary celebration of the birth of college football.
- Much of the talk focused on the team's No. 3 ranking in the MVFC preseason poll and No. 15 ranking in the preseason STATS FCS Top 25, as well as the 16 starters that return from last year for the Redbirds.
Up Next:
The Redbirds return to the field Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. for practice No. 5. For updates, photos, and video from 2019 Redbird Football Fall 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: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
