Ace Hunt
Go Sycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Indiana State football program is deep into this year's spring football practice workouts at Memorial Stadium under second year head coach Trent Miles. The Sycamores currently have 56 active players on the roster working for the Sycamore football coaching staff.
The Sycamore offense has been efficient early on during spring practice and are working hard under the tutelage of first-year coordinator Troy Walters. ISU continues to work a three-man rotation at quarterback as sophomore Ryan Roberts, junior Matt Seliger and redshirt freshman Travis Johnson are seeing all of the snaps this spring. There is also a budding three-headed monster for the Sycamores at the tailback position as junior Darrius Gates is poised for a breakthrough season in the fall and the Sycamores are also getting solid play in practice from Antoine Brown and Reece Craig. Sophomore Brock Lough is seeing the bulk of the reps at the fullback position.
The Sycamore receiving corps are getting in solid work as well as Larry Lacotti, a mid-year transfer as well as Bryant Kent are getting tons of time working in practice with the quarterback rotation. Jeramie Gray is busy splitting duties with the football squad as well as the track team, but has been a solid contributor on the gridiron as well.
A source of concern for last season, the offensive line, is beginning to solidify. The most noticeable difference through a week of workouts has been the added depth along both lines, especially on the offensive front. Leading the charges has been first-year offensive line coach David Poinsett, who incidentally I grew up watching playing football at the University of South Carolina. Poinsett played collegiately with players like Sterling Sharpe and Robert Brooks, who went on to star in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers. History aside, Poinsett has made an immediate impact on the program and is getting solid play from his troops through the first week of spring drills. Sophomore Ben Geffert has made the move over to the offensive line and is seeing solid reps early on.
Over on the defensive side of the ball, the Sycamore defensive line is also bolstered by improved numbers. Led by the play of senior lineman Dan Millington, the defensive front continues to improve with each workout.
The Sycamores are continuing to work several combinations at the linebacker and secondary positions. Impressive early on has been the play of senior Donye McCleskey as well as the return of Elliott Thomas after suffering a season-ending knee injury one year ago. Also back is senior Mike Woods, who missed most of the last season with injury problems as well.
Back in the punting role has been Gabe Mullane and he has been booming his kicks so far this spring. Sophomore Braulio Martinez is handling the kicking duties so far this spring.
Don't forget to check out the photo gallery from the opening days of spring practice as well as the short feature below on Millington.
The Sycamores will practice again on Wednesday, April 1 and Friday, April 3 out at the stadium. Those practices will start at 3:45 p.m. There will be a coaches' clinic as well on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with Doug Hurt (Castle HS); Drew Wood (Bloomington South HS); Mark Raetz (Terre Haute South Vigo HS) and Troy Walters (ISU Offensive Coordinator) scheduled to speak to area football coaches.
Also open to the public will be the first spring scrimmage, set for Saturday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Fans and supporters are also reminded to check out the ISU Golf Outing Brochure at http://www.gosycamores.com//pdf4/380232.pdf?KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=15200&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=
The Sycamore football program is looking forward to having you out at Idle Creek Golf Course on Friday, April 17.
The Blue/White Spring Scrimmage is set for Saturday, April 18. The game will kick-off at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).
Dan Millington ... In Focus
1. In 10 years I hope to be the Football Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for a large NCAA Division I university.
2. Biomechanics, exercise prescription, anatomy, and nutrition are some of my interests.
3. If I have an hour of free time with nothing to worry about, I like to relax and either play video games or watch movies.
4. I got to go to Ireland my freshman year to visit my brother who studied abroad and I would love to go back there.
5. I never really watched cartoons as a kid because my older brothers had SportsCenter on. But, I really like South Park but not sure I am "like" any of them.
6. My first name is from the book of Daniel in the Bible , and my middle name (Patterson) is my mom's maiden name.
7. My greatest achievement is having the support from all of my family to help me stay motivated dispote the very hard times I have faced through football. I am now able to see a very bright future for ISU Football and to be part of the transition is a great honor and something I am proud to be a part of.
