Rittenhouse takes step to earning Illinois State No. 2 quarterback job

NORMAL — Given an opportunity to stake a declare to Illinois State’s backup quarterback job, Tommy Rittenhouse did simply that within the Crimson-White Sport intrasquad scrimmage Saturday at Hancock Stadium.

Guiding the second group offense towards the primary group protection, Rittenhouse accomplished 5 of seven passes for 81 yards because the Redbirds labored on numerous conditions two weeks earlier than their season opener at Wisconsin.

“I got here out assured. I made a pair errors we’ll take a look at on movie,” stated Rittenhouse, who was intercepted as soon as. “After I’m assured, that’s after I play my greatest. I felt right now I type of made a reputation for myself once more.”

Rittenhouse is battling fellow redshirt freshman Timothy Dorsey and sophomore Jackson Waring for the second string spot behind starter Zack Annexstad.

“He did some good issues,” ISU coach Brock Spack stated of Rittenhouse. “Tommy can run. He’s fairly athletic. He’s spun it fairly good throughout camp. We wished to see what he might do towards those.”

When requested if Rittenhouse has gained the No. 2 job, Spack stated: “We’re leaning that manner, however I don’t know. I don’t assume that’s accomplished but. By the top of subsequent week we hope to have that locked down.”

Rittenhouse, who additionally guided the second offense on a profitable two-minute drill, has recovered from a damaged clavicle suffered throughout spring apply.

“It was a tough spring ball for me. I used to be type of upset not getting the reps I wished,” he stated. “My purpose this summer season was to get larger and stronger, bodily higher and mentally higher. I spent as a lot time as I might with Zack, actually dive into the playbook and actually perceive every little thing he understood.”

Annexstad accomplished 7 of 15 passes for 86 yards.

“I believe we had a extremely good coaching camp. We’ve got a extremely shut knit group of fellows, guys who love soccer and love taking part in collectively,” stated Annexstad. “Even performs that didn’t look nice right now, it’s good to get them on movie and be taught from it so we will right it going ahead.”

Spack wished extra from his projected offensive starters.

“I used to be just a little disenchanted the best way our first group offense performed,” stated the ISU coach. “We weren’t as sharp as we’ve been throughout coaching camp. I wasn’t actual impressed with our depth. There have been lots of good instructing moments on the market. I believe this group will reply properly.”

Spack sprung a shock on his group this week when the newest Zoom speaker at group conferences was future Corridor of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, who performed at Purdue when Spack was defensive coordinator.

“He had a extremely good message about life isn’t a bowl of cherries,” Spack stated. “Stuff goes to occur to you, and you’ve got to have the ability to reply and rise up and compete whether or not it’s on the soccer area or in life. The gamers bought a way of how intense he’s.”

“It was superior. He had lots of actually good messages when it comes to soccer mindset and life mindset,” Annexstad stated. “I knew Coach Spack had a relationship with him, and it was actually cool expertise to see him.”

Rittenhouse known as Brees “my favourite quarterback of all time. I’m a brief man. All the fellows who get checked out for being undersized and other people doubt them, I believe I type of match that function. It was actually unimaginable to listen to what he needed to say.”

The Redbirds have additionally heard from former Purdue greats and NFL All-Professional gamers Cliff Avril and Nick Hardwick and ex-ISU standout Estus Hood.

The most important play of the scrimmage was a 54-yard move from Rittenhouse to Scotty Presson Jr.

Wenkers Wright led all rushers with 67 yards on eight carries, together with a 20-yard burst. Rittenhouse scrambled for a 17-yard acquire.

Jalen Carr topped the receivers with three catches for 23 yards, whereas J’Kalon Carter hauled in three passes for 19 yards.

The lone touchdowns have been scored throughout a simulation of an additional time possession beginning on the 25-yard line. Annexstad discovered Bryson Deming with a 14-yard scoring move, and Waring tossed a 3-yard TD move to Lavarion Logan.

Linebacker Darius Walker paced all tacklers with 5, whereas D’Marco Cross recovered a fumble and Larry Tracy III and Keondre Jackson intercepted passes.

Sacks have been recorded by Jeremiah Jordan, Jacob Bellizzi, Tracy and Dillon Gearhart.

Cornerback Franky West offered blanket protection downfield on quite a lot of receivers.

“I adore it. I like messing with these guys, saying they will’t catch a ball on me,” West stated. “It’s all about placing within the work. I do know these guys put within the work simply as a lot as I do, and I do know they’re going to make these big-time catches after we want them.”

West additionally rotated with Brock Annexstad returning punts.

“I’m trying ahead to it. I promised Spencer I’d preserve it in good arms,” stated West of final season’s punt returner Spencer DeForest. “I simply must catch them and every little thing after that’s simply what I do.”

Spack stated junior faculty switch offensive lineman Kobe Rios will miss the primary three video games with a knee harm with the hope he shall be out there for the Oct. 1 residence sport towards Southern Illinois.

Defensive lineman Jason Lewan sat out the scrimmage.

“It’s precautionary,” stated Spack. “He’s had just a little again challenge in coaching camp he’s preventing via.”

First string tailback Cole Mueller was held out to reduce preseason contact.

Spack introduced at apply this week that walk-ons Daniel Sobkowicz and Joshua Wright have been placed on scholarship.

Sobkowicz is a large receiver and Wright an offensive lineman.