TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- As the calendar flips to the second week of Indiana State football practice, the heat continues to be turned up by the high energy Indiana State football coaching staff. For head
Curt Mallory and his staff they worked extensively on game-like situations and concluded practice with the two-minute drill for both first team units.
The practice which was held at Memorial Stadium after taking Sunday off, was held under variable cloudiness and cooler temps for the duration. Coach Mallory is obviously thinking ahead to the many different situations that the team will be put through over the course of the season which begins on August 31 under the lights against Eastern Illinois at 7 pm (ET).
"We want to put the players in different situations, today we wanted to put the offense in blitz situations," coach Mallory said. "We put them in first and 10 situations also and we let them play it out. You have to play all different situations during camp. Then we finished up with a two-minute period at the end."
The two-minute drill ended practice with the clock ticking down when freshman
Dante Hendrix made a diving catch down the sideline and in the end zone to save a drive that looked like it was going to stall at midfield. The big catch by the freshman from Florence, Ky., set off a wild celebration that continued all the way through post practice comments from the coaching staff.
The defense created highlights as well as
Jonas Griffith continued his strong fall camp with a near interception late in the workout. He reached up high and punched the ball away and nearly came down with the interception. Rondrell Green did pick one off in team workouts as did
Dimitri Taylor who just this weekend made the transition from running back to the defensive secondary.
The Sycamore football team was also tabbed in the annual The Sports Network Preseason Top 25 as they received a vote in the poll of FCS media pundits. It promises to be another strong season in Missouri Valley Football Conference play as North Dakota State is No. 2 while South Dakota State checks in at No. 4. Youngstown State makes it three MVFC members in the preseason Top 10 as they appear at No. 9 while future member North Dakota is No. 8. Northern Iowa is in at No. 18 while Illinois State is No. 20 and Western Illinois is in at No. 25 to make it six of the league's members in the Top 25. Week three opponent Liberty received 134 votes while South Dakota, Missouri State and Southern Illinois did as well. Week one opponent Eastern Illinois received three votes in the preseason poll.
Today we take a look at the receiving corps for the Sycamores, led by first-year assistant coach
Roy Roundtree. Roundtree was an All-Big Ten wide receiver during his playing days at Michigan.
"We have some younger guys in the mix right now, but it all starts with our three veterans," coach Mallory commented. "
Bob Pugh, who has been one of our leaders along with
Curtis Lee. We gained Curtis in the spring and he has been a pleasant surprise not only on the field by off the field as well with his leadership. Donte Jones has also shown some flashes. Those three guys have really put themselves out in the front and we have some young guys who are battling."
Bob Pugh is a redshirt senior from Foley, Ala., and he played in eight games one year ago. He hauled in 17 receptions for 276 yards and scored one touchdown. Pugh opened his Sycamore career with a career-high 94 yards and one touchdown on three receptions against Butler, one of them a season-long 56-yard catch. For Pugh, the prospects of having more different targets in the offense is appealing this season.
"I am ready to see what the newcomers can bring to the table this season and see how it all mixes with the new coaches," Pugh said. "Last year we didn't have as many weapons as we would like, so I can see that being developed already in camp. I also am looking forward to everyone coming together to play for this team as a whole and when we aren't called upon individually we have to be there for our teammates and support them. And then we need to be ready to perform when our number is called."
Curtis Lee played in the season opener last season against Butler and is ready to perform at a high level this season.
"To be here with this program is a blessing," Lee said. " Honestly, I am so grateful to coach Mallory to let me come back and be a part of this new era. We have a lot of new faces so in the meeting room everyone is focused. With coach Roundtree, he performed at the highest level, so we have nothing but respect for what he has to tell us and what he has to say."
In addition to the veterans, the wide receiver corps hosts a ton of new faces. It has been an exciting challenge for coach Roundtree to help mold this group though the beginning of camp.
"Right now we have a competitive environment in the meeting room and on the field," coach Roundtree said. "Right now, spots are open! These freshmen are coming in and they are competing and pushing the upperclassmen. Everyday it is a freshman making a big play and then the next day another freshman is making a big play. It is their job to compete as well. As a unit, we challenge each other and we all want to be great."
Stay tuned toÂ
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