SPRING CAMP REPORT 4: Ground Game Shines In First Scrimmage

NORMAL, Ill. – The weather during spring camp 2023 has been less than ideal for Illinois State, as the Redbirds have been met with cool temperatures and high winds nearly every time they have taken the turf at Hancock Stadium. That script did not change on Saturday morning, as the Redbirds were met with howling winds and frigid temperatures for their first intrasquad scrimmage of spring camp.

Scrimmage Notes:
•    The scrimmage went 90 plays, with the first and second team units each getting time to take the field.
•    Situations practiced included driving the field, red zone, and coming off the goal line.
•    Due to the gusty winds and cold temperatures, the majority of the focus for the offense was on the running game and it responded as Redbird ball carriers averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 60 attempts and scored five times.
•   The defense was also very active, recording five sacks, seven tackles-for-loss and one interception on a deflected pass.

Scoring Summary:
•    A 22-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse to Jalen Carr got things going for the offense, as Carr took the swing pass got some great blocks from receivers and found his way into the endzone.
•    Running back Wenkers Wright then scored from 10 yards for the second offensive touchdown of the day and then scored from 32 yards out for his second touchdown of the day.
•    A 37-yard field goal by Josh Jasek and a 36-yard field goal by Ian Wagner in tough conditions then gave way to the third rushing touchdown of the day, this one from one yard out from Cal Martine.
•    Northern Illinois transfer Mason Blakemore then got on the scoreboard during the red zone session, as he powered his way in from one yard out before Martine bowled his way into the endzone from three yards out for his second TD of the day.
•    An 8-yard touchdown pass from Rittenhouse to Javon Charles then capped things off for the Redbirds.

Passing Leader:
•    Tommy Rittenhouse: 5-for-8, 72 yards, 2 TD, long 22

Rushing Leaders:
•    Mason Blakemore: 14 att., 88 yds., 1 TD, long 13
•    Joshua Ficklin: 15 att., 76 yds., long 17
•    Wenkers Wright: 7 att., 62 yds., 2 TD, long 32
•    Cal Martine: 13 att., 49 yds., 2 TD, long 10

Receiving Leaders:
•    Jalen Carr: 3 rec., 50 yds., 1 TD, long 22
•    Rylan Crawford: 2 rec., 31 yds., long 25
•    Javon Charles: 2 rec., 8 yds., 1 TD, long 8

Defensive Leaders:
•    Jack Dwyer: 7 tackles, 6 solo, 1 sack, 1.0 TFL
•    Tye Niekamp: 7 tackles, 4 solo, 1.0 TFL
•    Kylan Stevens: 7 tackles, 2 solo, 2 sacks, 2.0 TFL
•    Reese Edwards: 6 tackles, 2 solo, 1.0 TFL
•    Nick Kessler: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1.0 TFL
•    Lavoise Deontae McCoy: 3 tackles, 1 INT

Up Next: 
The Redbirds return to the field Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. for practice No. 9. For updates, photos, and video from 2023 Redbird Football Fall Camp, follow the team's official Twitter (@RedbirdFB) and Instagram (isuredbirdfb) accounts and log onto GoRedbirds.com.

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