Football
8/10/2024 3:41:00 PM

Mike Williams

NORMAL, Ill. – It was a near perfect August morning at Hancock Stadium on Saturday, as the Illinois State football team held its first intrasquad scrimmage of Fall Camp ’24. The Redbirds worked for over two hours and ran just short of 140 snaps on the turf at Hancock Stadium, and the scrimmage featured several key sessions including coming off the goal line, driving the field, red zone, two-minute work and special teams periods.

Scoring Summary:
•    The first score of the day came via a two-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Matt Lawson, which capped off a 6-play, 66-yard scoring drive that was highlighted by a 43-yard run by Lawson.
•    A 46-yard by Ian Wagner put three points on the scoreboard on the ensuing drive for the second score of the day.
•    The second rushing score of the day came on a 1-yard run by Trazhon Tims that wrapped up a 6-play, 42-yard scoring drive. 
•    The first passing touchdown of the day came on a 17-yard strike from freshman quarterback Beckham Pellant to fellow freshman wide receiver Quinten Johnson to put six more points on the scoreboard and complete a 7-play scoring drive.
•    On the next drive, Lawson added his second rushing touchdown of the day this one from five yards out.
•    Wagner then added his second field goal make of the afternoon, connecting from 41 yards out for three more points.
•    As the action moved to the red zone, the offense needed just three plays to score again and for the third time it was Lawson who found the endzone this time for a 4-yard touchdown run.
•    Wagner added his third field goal of the day on the next drive, capping off a 6-play drive with a 20-yard field goal make.
•    Pellant and Johnson connected once again, this time on a 53-yard touchdown pass to continue the strong day for the freshman duo.
•    The offense then put together an 11-play, 63-yard drive (longest of the scrimmage) that resulted in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Rittenhouse to Wenkers Wright who made a one-handed grab out of the backfield for the score.
•    Jake Rubley and Andrew Rockford connected for the final touchdown of the scrimmage, as a 6-yard pass from Rubley to Rockford capped off a 9-play scoring drive.

Passing Leaders:
•    Tommy Rittenhouse:  15-for-20, 124 yards, 1 TD
•    Jake Rubley: 11-for-16, 94 yards, 1 TD
•    Beckham Pellant: 10-for-15, 151 yards, 2 TD

Rushing Leaders:
•    Cal Martine: 14 att., 71 yards
•    Matt Lawson: 13 att., 77 yards, 3 TD
•    Trazhon Tims: 12 att., 99 yards, 1 TD

Receiving Leaders:
•    Eddie Kasper: 7 rec., 48 yards
•    Dylan Lord: 4 rec., 84 yards
•    Quinten Johnson: 3 rec., 68 yards, 2 TD
•    Scotty Presson Jr.: 3 rec., 24 yards
•    Luke Mailander: 3 rec., 36 yards
•    Andrew Rockford: 3 rec., 28 yards, 1 TD
•    Bo Benassi: 3 rec., 26 yards 

Defensive Leaders:
•    Tye Niekamp: 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack
•    Chris Taylor: 8 tackles, 1 PBU
•    Paul Omodia: 8 tackles, 1 PBU
•    Amir Abdullah: 7 tackles, 3 TFL, safety
•    Anthony Corona: 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU
•    Jalan Gaines: 6 tackles, 1 TFL 
•    Emmet Wolf: 6 tackles
•    Dillon Gearhart: 4 tackles, 1 TFL
•    Josh Gettemy: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack 
•    Doreon Dubose: 4 tackles, 1 PBU,
•    Mark Haering: 3 tackles, 1 INT

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