FALL CAMP REPORT #4: Defense Holds Strong In First Fall Scrimmage

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State football team was met with ideal weather and sunny skies Saturday morning for its first fall scrimmage and the Redbirds took advantage, going nearly 140 plays in the two-plus hour session at Hancock Stadium.

Scrimmage Notes:
•    The scrimmage went 137 plays, with each of the three offensive and defensive units getting time to take the field.
•    Situations practiced included driving the field, red zone, and coming off the goal line, as well as live punting and kickoffs.
•    The defense was strong at every level, recording five sacks and 17 tackles-for-loss while also recording seven pass breakups with a pair of interceptions on the day. 

Scoring Summary:
•    The first points of the day came on the defensive side of the football, as Damien Jackson scooped up a loose fumble with the offense backed up against its own goal line to score the first touchdown.
•    A 22-yard field goal by Josh Jasek put the first offensive points on the scoreboard, before a 2-yard touchdown run by Wenkers Wright added the first offensive touchdown of the day for the Redbirds.
•    A 9-yard touchdown run by Nigel White continued the strong day for the Redbird running backs.
•    Four-straight field goals from kickers Jack Takerian (20, 21, 21) and Jasek (27) were next to add points to the scoreboard before Lavarion Logan capped off the day with a 4-yard touchdown run on the final red zone drive of the scrimmage.

Passing Leaders:
•    Zack Annexstad: 13-for-27, 77 yards, long 16
•    Jackson Waring: 5-for-9, 39 yards
•    Tommy Rittenhouse: 5-for-8, 35 yards

Rushing Leaders:
•    Nigel White: 8 att., 99 yds., 1 TD, long 48
•    Wenkers Wright: 10 att., 43 yds., 1 TD, long 12
•    Lavarion Logan: 16 att., 29 yds., 1 TD

Receiving Leaders:
•    J'Kalon Carter: 4 rec., 22 yds.
•    Eddie Casper: 3 rec., 38 yds.
•    Brock Annexstad: 2 rec., 17 yds.

Defensive Leaders:
•    Cade Campos: 10 tackles, 5 solo
•    Darryl Talley III: 7 tackles, 4 solo, 2.5 TFL
•    Zeke Vandenburgh: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL
•    Braden Price: 4 tackles, 1 INT
•    Deandre Lamont: 3 tackles, 3 PBU

Up Next: 
The Redbirds return to the field on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. to start their final week of fall camp, before Saturday's public Red-White Scrimmage at 4 p.m. at Hancock Stadium. For updates, photos, and video from 2022 Redbird Football Fall Camp, follow the team's official Twitter (@RedbirdFB), Instagram (isuredbirdfb) and Facebook (isuredbirdfootball) accounts and log onto GoRedbirds.com.
 
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