With recruits, fans and players’ moms crowding into the Irwin practice facility, the Illini football team worked in a two-hour scrimmage as it completed its seventh spring practice.

The defense showed the greatest strides Saturday when it recorded three interceptions, forced two fumbles and even scored a pair of touchdowns in the two-hour practice run.

“I was talking to one of our teammates the other day, saying that you could tell the improvement we’ve made this time last year to this time now,” said safety Kevin Mitchell, who had one of the team’s best practices. “You can’t really compare. Everybody knows their assignments, we’ve got to tweak a couple things, but as a whole, I believe we’re getting better every day.”

After starting things off with situational drills, where the first string converted 6-of-12, the team turned to full-out drives pitting the ones against ones and twos against twos. In the scrimmage’s first “half,” the defense forced punts seven times and freshman Dere Hicks picked off an interception.

On offense, the Illini scored three rushing touchdowns, including a 62-yard run by running back Rashard Mendenhall. At the close of the practice, the sophomore had rushed 16 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Mendenhall had been nursing a sore ankle in practice last week, but said he felt fine once he warmed up.

“I think overall as an offense we did a pretty good job of getting on their guys, getting up,” Mendenhall said. “I had an awful lot of seams; I think the lines did a great job, both the first offense and defense.”

Illinois’ safeties stole the show on defense, with Mitchell, Justin Harrison and transfer Justin Sanders all recording tackles. Sanders had 11 tackles and a pass break up, while Harrison added four tackles and an interception. But Mitchell, who had three tackles and an interception, stole the show with his safety and 85-yard touchdown run.

“It was a fun day. The first couple snaps, it’s weird being out there, especially because we haven’t played in a while,” Mitchell said. “But once I got that first tackle, I got my bell rung a couple times, once I settled down I was OK. I got that old feeling back.”

Head coach Ron Zook said the team accomplished what it wanted to. He said he was “pleasantly surprised” with the practice, and that he could see vast improvement just compared with Friday and Saturday’s practice sessions.

Defensive turnovers highlighted Saturday’s workout, Zook said, as they showed a change in the team’s attitude.

“It’ a belief, that the ball is yours and you’ve got to go get it,” Zook said. “Also, they’ve made some things happen. We haven’t given up as many big plays.”

Quarterback update

Senior quarterback Tim Brasic, still wearing red as he eases back into practice, took the most snaps and led the Illini in passing with 9-of-14 completed for 149 yards and 1 touchdown. Billy Garza completed 6-of-9 passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw an interception. Kissan Flakes connected on 1-of-4 throws, a six-yarder, and threw two interceptions.

Brasic led the quarterback rushing effort, running eight times, including a 17-yard dash. Flakes was second with six carries for 30 yards.

Hometown reception

Local wide receivers Kyle Hudson of Mattoon and Jacob Willis of Champaign led Illinois’ receiving statistics Saturday. Hudson caught three passes for 11 yards and a touchdown, while Willis grabbed two passes for 80 yards and one touchdown.