Photo Gallery | Training Camp Schedule
Post Practice Interview: RB Josh Ferguson
The Fighting Illini moved to Camp Rantoul on Sunday night and held their first practice at the former Chanute Air Force base on Monday morning. The Illini hit the practice fields off U.S. Route 45 at 10:45 a.m. in full pads for the first time this season. Illinois worked extensively on special teams fundamentals for the first portion of practice, then moved into individual drills, 7-on-7 and team situations on a humid, overcast morning.
Following practice, the Illini have an afternoon filled with film study and meetings, treatment with the first two-a-day session of Training Camp looming on Tuesday. The Orange and Blue will practice at 9:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
BTN Rolls into Camp Rantoul
The annual Big Ten Network Preseason Bus Tour rolled through Rantoul for Monday morning's practice at Camp Rantoul. Dave Revise, Gerry DiNardo, Fighting Illini great Howard Griffith and Tom Dienhart were on hand to watch practice and breakdown the Illini heading into 2015. The Fighting Illini preview show will air at 5 p.m. CT Monday evening, with several replays over the next few days. Check your local listings for replay times.
BTN Bus Tour Details
Newcomer De-Striping Begins
Coach Beckman de-striped the first two players on Monday, with running back Reggie Corbin and linebacker Julian Jones being the first players deemed worthy of the honor. As has become tradition, Illini newcomers begin training camp with a single white stripe on their practice helmets. If their teammates and the coaching staff deem them worthy, newcomers can earn their way to being "de-striped" through hard work during training camp. The action signifies that the player is no longer being considered a newcomer to the team. "De-stripers" are announced at the end of practice.
Newcomers who have been "de-striped"
RB Reggie Corbin 8/10
LB Julian Jones 8/10
