Sycamores open up U.S. Lawns Fall Football Camp

By Press release submission

Aug 6, 2022

Indiana State football opened up the U.S. Lawns Fall Football Camp on Wednesday morning as the Sycamores took the field at Memorial Stadium for their first of 12 scheduled practices prior to classes starting on August 16.

Head Coach Curt Mallory's squad went through a brisk two-hour practice slate on the turf as the Sycamores endured the Terre Haute August heat. Despite the warm temperatures, it was evident both the coaches and players were excited to be back out on the field together for the first time since Spring ball.

"When we had walkthrough this morning, you could just see the energy and excitement," Mallory said. "It just felt unreal with this team and their closeness and love for each other, and the game is real."

With the Sycamore coaching staff and player interaction limited this summer, the team went to work in the Mike and Mary Blackwell Sports Performance Center.

"We had a really good summer," Mallory said. "It was all player led and you could see the results out there on the field. Coach (Dave) McManus worked them hard and the guys put in the effort to get ready to play football this fall."

The Sycamores were selected 10th in the annual Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll as announced by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon. Mallory made sure the team was aware of the pick in the team's first meeting and it will remain present as the team continues to progress through fall camp.

"I think it is something you remember every day and we will have to play with a chip on our shoulder," Mallory said. "Right now as we continue through camp, our main focus is to get better every day, and then even better the next day. We have a lot to improve on after today and have mistakes that need to get cleaned up, and we will."

Indiana State returns a number of veteran leaders to the field, including preseason All-Conference wide receiver Dante Hendrix and defensive end Kris Reid, Jr. One thing that stood out to Mallory as he looked around the field on Wednesday was the amount of experience and depth across the roster.

"We have a lot of guys who have been in the program and know that their time is now," Mallory commented. "They are eager to get out there and you could feel it today on the field. I think the effort and attitude with our guys is great. We have great coaches that will keep building them. Right now we need to take advantage of every repetition and be locked down with every day until school starts."

The Sycamores are back out on the field for day two of the U.S. Lawns Fall Football Camp starting at 10 a.m. Thursday morning at Memorial Stadium.