The Illini practiced on Saturday from 9am to 11:45pm. Full pads.
Out today: Vederian Lowe, Caleb Reams, Sam Mays, Dre Brown, Kendrick Foster, Jaylen Dunlap
Tito Odenibgo and Evan Jones were both back full-go.
Reggie Corbin and Larry Boyd were dressed and went through warmups and position drills, but didn't get any live reps. Boyd should be back this week, as early as Monday. It will be interesting to see if they plug Boyd back in with the 1's right away.
Kendrick Foster no longer has a boot on his left foot, so it looks he is about ready to come back.
Warmups, position drills, special teams work, and 11on11. No 7on7 today. Coach Ligashesky pays a lot of attention to detail on special teams. Kickoff team worked on shedding blocks and making plays on the ball. Kickers worked on directional kicking.
OFFENSE NOTES
* It wasn't a very good day for the running game. They ran mostly power plays and zone plays without much change of direction. The offensive line doesn't get much movement up front on those plays. They're better at quick traps and zone read.
* TE Louis Dorsey is the latest freshman to make a move into the rotation. He's getting first team reps and was targeted a lot by Crouch and George. Dorsey isn't a great blocker yet, but he's a weapon in the passing game.
* The second team offensive line is bad, no two ways about it. Jeff George and Cam Thomas hardly have a chance to get throws off. George was sharp again when he had time, but he was flushed out of the pocket a bunch.
* Crouch stretched the field more today. It's been mainly ball-control stuff but he went downfield more today. Crouch had one long TD over the top to Malik Turner (60+ yards).
* Way too many pre-snap penalties today. Lovie can't be happy about that.
DEFENSE NOTES
* Del'Shawn Phillips has worked his way into the starting lineup at the SAM ahead of Julian Jones. He's rangy and strong. Phillips had to play catch-up after missing a lot of the spring with an injury.
* Cameron Watkins got 1st team reps at both corner positions, and the nickel. He was on the field a lot. Watkins is really physical and he's been playing strictly nickel until today. Obviously, the coaches saw some things on film on the off days. I think Watkins will start at the boundary corner when Jaylen Dunlap comes back.
* Freshman CB Tony Adams gets both first team and second team reps. He will play a lot. Walk-on Jimmy Marchese, who has been playing linebacker, got reps at nickel along with Chris James.
* The defense had their best day stuffing the run. Jamal Milan and Tymir Oliver got a good push up front, and linebacker play was good - especially Tre Watson, Del'Shawn Phillips, and Dele Harding. Harding has a couple of sacks on zone blitzes.
* Interceptions today for Ahmari Hayes, Tre Watson and Bennett Williams. Watson's was a pick-6 on an ill advised throw by Crouch when he was under pressure. Williams had a big PBU vs. Malik Turner.
Next practice in Monday at 2:30.
What are your questions?
Out today: Vederian Lowe, Caleb Reams, Sam Mays, Dre Brown, Kendrick Foster, Jaylen Dunlap
Tito Odenibgo and Evan Jones were both back full-go.
Reggie Corbin and Larry Boyd were dressed and went through warmups and position drills, but didn't get any live reps. Boyd should be back this week, as early as Monday. It will be interesting to see if they plug Boyd back in with the 1's right away.
Kendrick Foster no longer has a boot on his left foot, so it looks he is about ready to come back.
Warmups, position drills, special teams work, and 11on11. No 7on7 today. Coach Ligashesky pays a lot of attention to detail on special teams. Kickoff team worked on shedding blocks and making plays on the ball. Kickers worked on directional kicking.
OFFENSE NOTES
* It wasn't a very good day for the running game. They ran mostly power plays and zone plays without much change of direction. The offensive line doesn't get much movement up front on those plays. They're better at quick traps and zone read.
* TE Louis Dorsey is the latest freshman to make a move into the rotation. He's getting first team reps and was targeted a lot by Crouch and George. Dorsey isn't a great blocker yet, but he's a weapon in the passing game.
* The second team offensive line is bad, no two ways about it. Jeff George and Cam Thomas hardly have a chance to get throws off. George was sharp again when he had time, but he was flushed out of the pocket a bunch.
* Crouch stretched the field more today. It's been mainly ball-control stuff but he went downfield more today. Crouch had one long TD over the top to Malik Turner (60+ yards).
* Way too many pre-snap penalties today. Lovie can't be happy about that.
DEFENSE NOTES
* Del'Shawn Phillips has worked his way into the starting lineup at the SAM ahead of Julian Jones. He's rangy and strong. Phillips had to play catch-up after missing a lot of the spring with an injury.
* Cameron Watkins got 1st team reps at both corner positions, and the nickel. He was on the field a lot. Watkins is really physical and he's been playing strictly nickel until today. Obviously, the coaches saw some things on film on the off days. I think Watkins will start at the boundary corner when Jaylen Dunlap comes back.
* Freshman CB Tony Adams gets both first team and second team reps. He will play a lot. Walk-on Jimmy Marchese, who has been playing linebacker, got reps at nickel along with Chris James.
* The defense had their best day stuffing the run. Jamal Milan and Tymir Oliver got a good push up front, and linebacker play was good - especially Tre Watson, Del'Shawn Phillips, and Dele Harding. Harding has a couple of sacks on zone blitzes.
* Interceptions today for Ahmari Hayes, Tre Watson and Bennett Williams. Watson's was a pick-6 on an ill advised throw by Crouch when he was under pressure. Williams had a big PBU vs. Malik Turner.
Next practice in Monday at 2:30.
What are your questions?
