FALL CAMP REPORT: Final Scrimmage Sends Redbirds Into Spring

NORMAL, Ill. – In the 15th and final practice of the fall 2020 fall session, the Illinois State football team scrimmaged for the final time before getting back together in January when practice beings in preparation for the 2021 spring opener on Feb. 20 at UNI. Saturday's intrasquad battle on a crisp and sunny morning at Hancock Stadium put an end to a spirited five weeks of work for the Redbirds, who now focus on finishing the semester strong in the weight room and the classroom. 

Scrimmage Notes:
•    The scrimmage lasted nearly 90 plays, with all three units getting equal reps and opportunities in the various scenarios.
•    Primary focus was on driving the ball down the field, and if forced to punt, the next unit took over from the result of punt and fair catch.
•    It was offense versus defense in this one, with the majority of the scenarios pitting the first-team units against each other, the second-team against themselves and so on … later in the practice, the first-team units did go against the second-team squads to switch things up a bit.
•    Things came to an end with each unit getting a crack during a 2-minute scenario, which featured 1:45 left on the clock with no timeouts left and the offense needing a field goal to "win". 
•    Overall, the Redbird quarterbacks averaged 14 yards per completion with a couple of touchdown throws during the scrimmage, while the defense accounted for 9 sacks (quarterbacks were not able to be tackled, considered down by touch) and 18 tackles-for-loss with nine pass breakups.
•    Following practice, senior safety and preseason All-American Christian Uphoff announced to teammates and coaches that he will be returning for the spring season to compete for a championship in 2021.

Scoring Summary:
•    The first score of the day came from the third-string unit, as true freshman quarterback Jackson Waring led the offense on an 11-play, 84-yard drive that culminated in a 59-yard touchdown pass to his former high school teammate and fellow freshman Seth Juhl.
•    As the scrimmage neared its end, the second-team offense put the only other points of the day on the scoreboard as Bryce Jefferson guided his crew on a four-play, 58-yard scoring drive with just over a minute left on the clock … after a 12-yard scramble by Jefferson put the ball at the 37-yard line, he connected on second down with Joey Lombardi for a 37-yard touchdown strike.

Passing Leaders:
•    Bryce Jefferson: 5-for-13, 104 yds., TD
•    Brady Davis: 6-for-12, 67 yds.
•    Jackson Waring: 7-for-7, 93 yds., TD

Rushing Leaders:
•    Rashad Lampkin: 6 att., 18 yds.
•    Pha'leak Brown: 2 att., 16 yds.

Receiving Leaders:
•    Joey Lombardi: 5 rec., 86 yds., TD
•    Kacper Rutkiewicz: 3 rec., 43 yds., 26 long
•    Seth Juhl: 2 rec., 75 yds., TD

Defensive Leaders:
•    Shanon Reid: 8 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL
•    Zeke Vandenburgh: 6 tackles, 4 solo, 2 TFL
•    Jacob Bellizzi: 6 tackles, 4 solo, 1 sack
•    Zeke Vandenburgh: 4 tackles, 2 solo, 2.5 TFL
•    Kenton Wilhoit: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL
•    Franky West: 5 tackles, 5 solo, 1 TFL

Up Next:
The Redbirds will take some time, before returning the practice field in January to prepare for the 2021 spring opener at UNI. For updates, photos, and video from Redbird Football, follow the team's official Twitter (@RedbirdFB) and Instagram (isuredbirdfb) accounts and log onto GoRedbirds.com.

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