TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State football wrapped up its spring football practice slate on Friday morning as the Sycamores took the field at Memorial Stadium for the final time.
 
Friday's practice took the plate of Saturday's scheduled Blue & White scrimmage after the Sycamores were forced to adjust their plans due to the expected inclement weather in the Wabash Valley. Although the weather may have caused some adjustments to the final day, head coach Curt Mallory has been pleased with the team's progress throughout the spring.
 
"I thought we got better as a team," Mallory stated. "More importantly we've come out of this spring without any major injuries. That encourages you as a coach because we've tackled and went live more than we ever have in years' past – but this just shows you that we know how to practice. We tried to be productive every day and we were very encouraged by that."
 
In addition to taking care of things on the field, Mallory also emphasized the Sycamores' efforts in the classroom this spring.
 
"Coming into the spring, our goal was to not have a single D or F on the report cards this spring," Mallory said. "Our team GPA was a 3.2 last year and our goal for the spring was a 3.4, and we're close. The guys have really been pushing each other hard and I'm looking forward to seeing what reports we will get after finals next week."
 
The Indiana State offense drew significant attention this spring with the addition of offensive coordinator Mike Bath as he attempted to navigate a number of key position battles that will continue to play out throughout the summer workouts and fall camp.
 
Mallory was excited about what Bath brought to the team and the energy and enthusiasm that seemed to grow within that group as the spring season progressed.
 
"I think the one thing Coach Bath did when he came in here was, he kept a lot of our previous terminology the same," Mallory said. "He (Bath) learned our verbiage and added some of his own wrinkles to the offense to really make it easy for our players. I've seen the offense and the staff continue to get more comfortable as the spring has gone on, he's done a great job integrating himself into our system to keep us moving forward."
 
Bath was a part of four new coaches that joined the Sycamore coaching staff, while former tight end coach Tyler Funk made the shift over to coach the offense line this spring. The new coaching staff brought about more energy and a sense of physicality that showed throughout the spring as Indiana State utilized the maximum amount of days they could for full-contact this spring.
 
This physicality is something Mallory is hoping to ingrain into the team's mentality moving forward as he identified several areas where it hurt them in the past.
 
"I don't think we were as physical as we needed to be last year," Mallory admitted. "When things got away from us, they really got away from us. We had opportunities that we missed and we've been working on that this spring. We want to play with more of an edge and that all starts up front."
 
The Sycamores were without the services of interior offensive lineman Jose Vazquez IV in the spring season due to injury, but Indiana State utilized the time to get some of their younger players involved in the offensive game plan. All across the offense Mallory saw standout players take on larger roles as the spring continued.
 
"I'm encouraged by the leadership of Jackson Byrne, Adeeb Jaouni, and Joel Stevens, and I thought those three stood out up front," Mallory said. "I've been most impressed with Henry Woodcock with our tight end group. He's stepped up his game and played a lot, and now he's a starter he's played as good as I've seen a tight end play since I've been here."
 
He continued, "Our leader offensively is still Dante Hendrix. The way he comes to work every day is a huge example to our team and I'm glad he's back with us. We're also glad to have Harry Van Dyne and Daijon Collins back in the mix and Dakota Caton is back on June 1. We've been able to get a lot of good, young players meaningful reps this spring."
 
The Sycamores have had active competition for both the quarterback and running back roles, but Mallory feels confident in the progression from both groups.
 
"Quarterback is one of the primary things we've been asked about this spring, but the biggest thing I want to see at that position is consistency," Mallory said. "We made the decision to have both Gavin (Screws) and Cade (Chambers) take most of the reps this spring and they've both gotten better. They will continue to compete throughout the summer and fall, but we have two really good quarterbacks."
 
Mallory praised the running back room as well, "Arguably, the most talented group on our team is the running backs, but they also are dealing with inexperience. I would say right now we have four really good backs in the mix with Tee (Hodge), Justin (Dinka), Omarion (Dixon), and Derrick (McLaughlin) and they've all proven this spring they will be fantastic players for us."
 
The defense also took its hits with the graduation of All-MVC defensive lineman Inoke Moala, but there's still plenty to be excited about starting in the middle with the return of All-Newcomer Geoffrey Brown.
 
"Geoffrey Brown is one name you heard a lot last year and he's just been getting better this spring," Mallory said. "He's taken on a more vocal leadership role on our defense and I'm proud of the work he's been putting in. We've had a dominant player at the linebacker position dating back to even before my tenure and I feel like Geoffrey can be that guy who can take the next step."
 
The defensive line is also back in fine hands with Lucas Hunter, Jake Hoper, and more standing out this spring.
"I think Lucas (Hunter) has had a big impact for us defensively," Mallory said. "We're working on building up our depth and I like where we are. Jake Hoper transferred in and has done a great job for us, while Joey (Shew) and Casey (Miller) have done a fine job picking it up on the end positions. We're also excited to get back Kris Reid Jr. after missing this spring – but he'll be back and ready to get up and go when we start up again this fall."
 
The secondary also took the loss of All-MVC Newcomer JJ Henderson, but Johnathan Edwards, Ethan Hoover, and Rylan Cole all returned to the field this spring and took their play to the next level.
 
"Johnathan Edwards had a really great spring and we've got some solid experience returning in the secondary," Mallory commented. "We have two really good attacking and tackling safeties in Ethan (Hoover) and Rylan (Cole) and we've spent more time tackling this spring than we ever have and we've needed to. When you add JP Osafo, Maddix (Blackwell), and Kaleal (Davis) into the mix, as well as Bilhal Kone, Peyton (Edwards), and Omar Jackson, we've got a group that reminds me of the crew we had back in 2018 that would be physical all over the field and hunt the ball down."
 
Although the Sycamores were unable to compete in the Blue & White Scrimmage, Mallory took the positives from the field through the two scrimmages ISU was able to complete this spring. What he saw has him excited about this upcoming summer and fall.
 
"We've had a pair of good scrimmages already this spring," Mallory said. "We focused on taking this last week to clean things up on the field and work on the adjustments we needed to make to head into the offseason. I'm really pleased with what we've been able to accomplish and I'm ready for the summer workouts and to be back out for camp again in August."
 
The Sycamores will take a few weeks off following the conclusion of spring camp, before returning on June 1 to start a seven-week conditioning period working with the strength and conditioning staff. Fall Camp is set to begin on August 2 as ISU begins preparation for the start of the 2022 season.
 
ISU's home opener is set for Thursday, September 1, against North Alabama. Kickoff time for the 2022 season opener is set for 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
 
ISU season ticket renewals and new memberships now on sale for the upcoming season. Fans are able to purchase tickets at an early discounted rate through May 27. With the early discount, season tickets for the six Indiana State home football games start at just $50 for adults and $20 for youth. Faculty, staff, seniors, and members of the I-Club can purchase tickets for just $45.
 
For more information on season tickets, fans can contact Assistant Manager of Athletic Ticketing Austin Bishop by phone at 812-237-8972 or via email at Austin.Bishop@indstate.edu. Fans can also call 877-ISU-TIXS or email ISU-Tickets@indstate.edu. Fans have the opportunity to also buy or renew season tickets online by clicking HERE.
 
2022 Home Schedule
Thurs, Sept. 1 – North Alabama (6 p.m.)
Sat., Sept. 17 – Montana (1 p.m.)
Sat., Oct. 8 – North Dakota State (1 p.m.)
Sat., Oct. 22 – Illinois State (1 p.m. - Homecoming)
Sat., Nov. 5 – North Dakota (1 p.m.)
Sat., Nov. 19 – Missouri State (1 p.m.)
 
Follow the Sycamores
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