SPRING CAMP REPORT 5: Heading Down The Homestretch

NORMAL, Ill. – With just four practices remaining before the annual Spring Showcase scrimmage caps off 2023 spring camp, the Illinois State football team was greeted by sunny skies and little to no wind for what seems like the first time this spring as the Redbirds went through their full-padded practice Thursday morning at Hancock Stadium.

Practice Highlights:
•    Practice began with a team stretch and a special teams circuit, and after the individual position group period and passing under pressure drills the focus shifted to the 7-on-7 session.
•    Zack Annexstad was under control during the session, going 6-for-8 with a pair of completions to Daniel Sobkowicz and I'Shawn Stewart each … Tommy Rittenhouse was also accurate, completing 4-of-5 attempts with two connections to Jalen Carr and one to tight end Cam Grandy … Mason Kaplan, Jimmy Makuh and Patrick Brennan also each got a pair of opportunities, with Brennan completing both of his attempts.
•    The action then moved to the team session, as the ball was placed on the offense's 24 yard line and they were tasked with moving the ball down the field … the first-team offense put together a strong six-play drive to move the ball past midfield but the drive ended on a tipped pass that was intercepted by safety CJ Hodgdon.
•    The second-team unit then took the field again and this time marched on a 10-play scoring drive … the big play early came on a 31-yard pass from Rittenhouse to Carr that moved the ball to the defense's 39 yard line and two plays later, Rittenhouse connected with David Connors Jr. for a 15-yard gain that moved the ball inside the 25 yard line … on the tenth play from scrimmage, Rittenhouse scrambled and rolled out to his left and found Stewart for a 22-yard touchdown to cap things off.
•    The first-team unit then got their second chance and this time made it count, scoring on a 10-play drive … an 11-yard completion from Annexstad to Sobkowicz moved the chains early and a 7-yard completion from Annexstad to Rylan Crawford kept the drive alive … on 2nd and 10 from near midfield, Annexstad connected over the middle with Grandy for 21 yards that moved the ball to the defense's 33 yard line … two plays later facing third and long, Annexstad found Eddie Kasper for a 27-yard connection to move the ball to the 3 yard line where Mason Blakemore bowled his way in for a score to cap off the touchdown drive.
•    Practice ended with kickers Ian Wagner and Josh Jasek each taking turns booting field goals and extra point attempts through the uprights, as the defense worked on alignment and schemes to block kicks.

Up Next: 
The Redbirds return to the field Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. for practice No. 11. 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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