NORMAL, Ill. – When the calendar turns to March, people often think of conference basketball tournaments and postseason play however for the Illinois State football team it means the beginning of spring workouts. The Redbirds practiced twice on the opening week of spring ball, both inside the OSF Healthcare Athletic Training Facility on campus due to inclement weather in Bloomington-Normal.

Practice Highlights:
•    Thursday's practice was the second of the week for the Redbirds, and once again spirits were high among players and coaches.
•    Practice began with special teams work, before action shifted to the first 11-on-11 work in the passing under pressure drill. Quarterback Beckham Pellant will be busy during the spring, as he will take the snaps while he awaits two freshmen quarterbacks to join the team this fall and for Tommy Rittenhouse to return from offseason surgery. Pellant was solid, going 10-for-12 mostly focusing on the quick passing game with two completions to Valient Walsh and four to Brett Kasper. The defense was able to get home on one snap, as Garret Steffen and Ben Harman combined for a sack.
•    The pressure was dialed up even more in the blitz drill that followed, and the defense picked up an early win, as Patrick Bauer got to the quarterback for a sack. Pellant was able to avoid sacks with this quick feet, picking up a couple first downs on scrambles and Seth Glatz also beat the blitz with a couple strong gains running the football. The drill ended on a high note for the defense, as newcomer Shadwel Nkuba II broke up a pass intended for Brett Kasper. 
•    In the 7-on-7 session, Pellant was 9-for-10 with two completions each to Brett and Eddie Kasper and two to tight end Nick Hawkins. The lone incompletion came on a great defensive play by Cam Wilson, when he tipped away an deep attempt meant for Xavier Loyd.
•    As things moved onto the team session, the focus turned more to the running game as Glatz, Matt Lawson, Cal Martine and newcomer Victor Dawson all got chances to carry the ball. The defense made a couple of big plays early in the session, as Valentino Garcia picked up a would-be TFL after breaking through the line and that was followed by a sack from newcomer Christian Lorenzo. Lawson got the momentum back with a 20-plus yard run three plays later, but the defense got the momentum back when Ben Cooper recorded a pick-six much to the delight of his teammates.
•    The offense wrapped things up in strong fashion, with strong runs by Dawson and Glatz, before Pellant capped things off with three-straight completions to Kasper, Walsh and Hawkins as the horn blew to signal the end of practice. 

Up Next: 
With the first two practices in the books, the Redbirds will have a week off for the University's spring break before practices resume on Tuesday, March 18, and continue on a regular schedule until the Spring Showcase on April 12.

For updates, photos, and video from 2025 Redbird Football Spring Camp, follow the team's official X (@RedbirdFB) and Instagram (isuredbirdfb) accounts and log onto GoRedbirds.com.

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