With Lovie Away, Illini Practice in Shells for First Time
August 6, 2016 | Football
Head Coach Lovie Smith Missed Saturday's Practice to Attend NFL Hall of Fame Ceremony
.@jhardee_19 has big #B1G goals for his final season with the #Illini. Today's interview » https://t.co/UCU6VfkjwL
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) August 6, 2016
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini football team put on shells (shoulder pads) for the first time on Saturday for Training Camp practice No. 3. The Orange and Blue were on the practice fields next to Memorial Stadium for about two hours on a beautiful afternoon and stayed to sign autographs for a good crowd of Illini faithful after practice wrapped up.
There was one notable individual missing from Saturday's practice, as head coach Lovie Smith was not in attendance. Instead he was in Canton, Ohio, to support mentor Tony Dungy and former player Orlando Pace at the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
"We're coming along strong," senior WR Justiin Hardee said after practice No. 3. "We want perfection, so that's what we practice for every day. Even if we have a great day, we know we can have an excellent day. We're always striving for more."
The Fighting Illini return to the practice fields on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. All Training Camp practices are open to the public and free to attend.
What a day for practice No. 3 ????#Illini #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/dOBzDkRGOf
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) August 6, 2016
Good crowd at today's #Illini practice. Wonderful way to spend a weekend afternoon. @LovieSmith pic.twitter.com/xUMT4MgAad
— Kent Brown (@kentbrown) August 6, 2016
With @LovieSmith and former #ILLINI Aaron Moorehead and Leslie Frazier at Pro FB HOF Induction! pic.twitter.com/Qw1ORco5vA
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) August 6, 2016
4?? weeks from today. Be there. ?? #Illini #WeWillWin
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) August 6, 2016
?? https://t.co/EIl3i3vJ5q https://t.co/k60uG42Ueg
