1968 Illinois State Redbirds football team

1968 Illinois State Redbirds football
IIAC co-champion
Conference	Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	6–4 (2–1 IIAC)
Head coach	Larry Bitcon (4th season)
MVP	Guy Homoly
Captains	Denny Nelson Hank Guenther
Home stadium	Hancock Stadium
Seasons ←  1967 1969 →

1968 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Central Michigan +	2	–	1	–	0			7	–	2	–	0
Illinois State +	2	–	1	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Eastern Illinois	1	–	2	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Western Illinois	1	–	2	–	0			2	–	7	–	1
+ – Conference co-champions

The 1968 Illinois State Redbirds football team represented Illinois State University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1968 NCAA College Division football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Larry Bitcon, the Redbirds compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 2–1 in conference play, sharing the IIAC title with Central Michigan for the second consecutive season. ^{[1] [2]} Illinois State played home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 14	at Milwaukee *		Shorewood Field Milwaukee, WI	W 34–14	4,500	[3]
September 21	Illinois Wesleyan *		Hancock Stadium Normal, IL	W 34–0	15,000	[4]
September 28	Chicago Circle *		Hancock Stadium Normal, IL	W 26–14	13,000–14,000	[5]
October 5	at Central Missouri State *		Vernon Kennedy Field	L 0–28	3,500	[6]
October 12	Eastern Illinois	No. 18	Hancock Stadium Normal, IL (rivalry)	W 41–14	8,500	[7]
October 19	Western Illinois		Hancock Stadium Normal, IL	W 21–10	20,000	[8]
October 26	at Central Michigan		Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI	L 16–19	12,000	[9]
November 2	at No. 15 Akron *		Rubber Bowl Akron, OH	L 0–46	3,500–3,559	[10] [11]
November 9	at Ferris State *		Top Taggart Field Big Rapids, MI	L 28–29	4,000	[12]
November 16	Bradley *		Hancock Stadium Normal, IL	W 42–26	5,000	[13]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[14]

References

1. "State Colleges Finish Seasons". Hillsdale Daily News . Associated Press. November 5, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
2. "2021 Redbird Football Media Guide" (PDF). Illinois State University Athletics Department. p. 67. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
3. Kruse, Don (September 15, 1968). "Redbirds Rout Milwaukee, 34-14". The Pantagraph . p. C1. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
4. Young, Fred (September 22, 1968). "ISU Mauls Wesleyan, 34-0". The Pantagraph . p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
5. Young, Fred (September 29, 1968). "Redbirds Upend Chicago, 26-14". The Pantagraph . p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
6. "Mules Handle Illinois State". The Kansas City Star . October 6, 1968. p. 75. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
7. Barnhart, Jim (October 13, 1968). "Redbirds Ramble Past Eastern Illinois, 41-14". The Pantagraph . p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
8. "Illinois State Wins 21-10". Herald and Review . Associated Press. October 20, 1968. p. 20. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
9. Kruse, Don (October 27, 1968). "CMU Field Goals Stifle ISU". The Pantagraph . p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
10. Bosley, Scott (November 3, 1968). "Zip Homecoming Real Blast!". Akron Beacon-Journal . p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
11. "Cumulative Football Statistics Report (1968 Akron)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved December 15, 2021.
12. "Ferris Surprises ISU, 29-28". The Pantagraph . November 10, 1968. p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
13. Barnhart, Jim (November 17, 1968). "Redbirds Rap Braves, 42-26". The Pantagraph . p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
14. "Cumulative Football Statistics Report (1968 Illinois State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved December 13, 2022.