@IlliniFootball Open Practice Recap
April 16, 2016 | Football
Orange and Blue got in work in front of 5,000 Illini faithful
Practice Schedule | Follow @IlliniFootball
Fighting Illini fans got their first look at Lovie Smith's Illinois squad Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Over 5,000 fans attended the first open practice of the Lovie Era on a beautiful spring day on the University of Illinois campus.
The Illini went through the usual practice run down – stretching, special teams, individual work, 7-on-7 and 1-on-1 pass rush – before a situatinal live scrimmage of about 60 plays. Following one hour and 45 minutes on the field, Lovie and the team signed autographs for fans for 30 minutes.
The practice was No. 9 of 15 for the Illini this spring, who will have an off day on Sunday before returning the field for back to back practices on Monday and Tuesday. None of the six remaining practices are open to the public.
This guy looks pretty good on ?? & ??. ?? #Illini #WeWillWin @LovieSmith pic.twitter.com/iCIkbTVeAV
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 16, 2016
Tailgating + #Illini ?? = heaven ?? pic.twitter.com/DQS6PRKGTe
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 16, 2016
Lunt to Cain. ?? #Illini #SpringBall pic.twitter.com/6Bdkwcgu1f
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 16, 2016
Scrimmage time. #Illini #SpringBall ?? pic.twitter.com/ESDwBbqMNA
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 16, 2016
Autographs, anyone?! ? #ILLINI pic.twitter.com/mFH4x9IfD8
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) April 16, 2016
Great scene on the field after today's practice! Check out the pack around @LovieSmith. This is OUR team, #Illini! pic.twitter.com/qcUDHuNwnm
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) April 16, 2016
Big s/o to all of the fans who came out and supported us today! We're looking forward to a great year!?????? #Illini #WeWillWin
— Sam Mays (@sammojayy) April 16, 2016
Special thanks goes out to all the Illini faithful for coming out today. Words can't express how excited we are about this season #WeWillWin
— Cameron Watkins (@SpeedCamXXXI) April 16, 2016
Big Thanks To All The Fans Who Came Out & Supported Today. #IlliniNation ??????
— KE'SHAWN VAUGHN (@SpeedKe5) April 16, 2016
New @IlliniFootball head coach Lovie Smith talks to BTN's Taylor Rooks after spring game on Saturday. https://t.co/P7Qkjnt1Oi
— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) April 16, 2016
Thanks to All the Fans and Alumni Who Came Out to the @IlliniFootball Open Practice! Look Forward to the Fall! #ILL pic.twitter.com/n7LX8KUUQS
— Joseph Spencer (@IlliniJoe71) April 16, 2016
