SPRING CAMP REPORT 1: Good To Be Back

Football
3/5/2024 1:39:00 PM

Mike Williams

NORMAL, Ill. – Mother Nature did not welcome the Illinois State football team back to the field for the start of spring practices kindly on Tuesday, as rain and thunderstorms in the area forced the Redbirds to head inside the Indoor Practice Facility for the first of 15 practices this spring.

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 first team session.

•    The defensive got off to a great start, as Dillon Gearhart recorded an interception on the first play from scrimmage and that was quickly followed by a pass breakup by Nigel White.

•    After that, things calmed down for the offense as three-straight completions from transfer quarterback Jake Rubley got things back in rhythm and his final completion went for over 40 yards to Rylan Crawford.

•    Kayode Amusan would cap the drill off with a sack on Jimmy Makuh as the action moved to the blitz period.

•    In the pressure passing period, Tommy Rittenhouse started well completing his first two passes to Eddie Kasper and Braden Contreras … A big run by transfer back Seth Glatz also put the defense on its heels, before Christian Kirenga read a screen pass well and recorded a TFL that was followed by a sack from Koby Sarna.

•    It was then time for the 7-on-7 period where Rubley, Rittenhouse and Makuh took turns behind center … Rubley was 4-for-6 with a pair of completions to transfer tight end Mitch Bartol and two to Kasper … Rittenhouse was 6-for-6 with two connections to Jalen Carr and Makuh went 3-for-4 with completions to Brady Probst, David Connors Jr. and Joshua Ficklin out of the backfield.

•    After another quick team period, practice ended with kickers each taking turns booting field goals and extra point attempts into the nets, as the defense worked on alignment and schemes to block kicks.

Up Next: 

With the first practice in the books, the Redbirds will have one more on Thursday morning before having a week off for the University’s spring break. Practices will then resume on Tuesday, March 19, and continue on a regular schedule until the Spring Showcase on April 13.

For updates, photos, and video from 2024 Redbird Football Spring Camp, follow the team’s official X (@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 Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.