2024 Illinois State Redbirds football team

Last updated

2024 Illinois State Redbirds football
Illinois State Redbirds Wordmark.png
Conference Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 11
FCS CoachesNo. 10
Record10–4 (6–2 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Tony Petersen (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorTravis Niekamp (7th season)
Home stadium Hancock Stadium
Seasons
  2023
2025  
2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 North Dakota State +^  7 1   14 2  
No. 3 South Dakota State +^  7 1   12 3  
No. 4 South Dakota +^  7 1   11 3  
No. 11 Illinois State ^  6 2   10 4  
Missouri State *  6 2   8 4  
Youngstown State  3 5   4 8  
Indiana State  3 5   4 8  
North Dakota  2 6   5 7  
Southern Illinois  2 6   4 8  
Northern Iowa  1 7   3 9  
Murray State  0 8   1 11  
  • + Conference co-champions
  • ^ FCS playoff participant
  • * – Ineligible for 2024 FCS playoffs due to transition to the FBS
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Illinois State Redbirds football team represented Illinois State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by 16th-year head coach Brock Spack. [1] Illinois State played their home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.

Contents

Preseason

MVFC poll

The MVFC released it preseason prediction poll on July 22, 2024. The Redbirds were predicted to finish sixth in the conference. [2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3111:00 a.m.at No. 25 (FBS) Iowa *No. 19 BTN L 0–4069,250
September 76:00 p.m.at North Alabama *No. 21 ESPN+ W 24–178,014
September 1412:00 p.m. Western Illinois *No. 18ESPN+W 51–3412,440
September 216:00 p.m. Eastern Illinois *No. 17
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+W 31–79,012
September 282:00 p.m.No. 2 North Dakota State Dagger-14-plain.pngNo. 18
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+L 10–4211,687
October 56:00 p.m.at No. 19 Southern Illinois No. 18ESPN+W 45–107,157
October 1212:00 p.m. Missouri State No. 16
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+L 7–416,232
October 192:00 p.m.at Murray State No. 21ESPN+W 40–3215,991
November 22:00 p.m. Youngstown State No. 21
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+W 23–166,381
November 91:00 p.m.at Northern Iowa No. 18ESPN+W 31–91,880
November 1612:00 p.m.at Indiana State No. 17ESPN+W 31–193,188
November 2312:00 p.m. North Dakota No. 14
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+W 35–135,631
November 3011:00 a.m.at No. 16 Southeast Missouri State *No. 11ESPN+W 35–27
December 73:00 p.m.at No. 5 UC Davis *No. 11ESPN+L 10–426,317
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[3] [4]

Game summaries

at No. 25 (FBS) Iowa

Pregame lineOver/under
Iowa 21.537.5
Game One – No. 19 Illinois State Redbirds (0-0) at No. 25 (FBS) Iowa Hawkeyes (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 19 Redbirds00000
No. 25 (FBS) Hawkeyes33132140

at Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA

  • Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
  • Game time: 11:00 AM CST
  • Game weather: Sunny; 76 °F (24 °C); Wind: NW 4 mph (6.4 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 69,250
  • Referee: Mark Kluczynski
  • TV announcers (BTN): Mark Followill (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (analyst), and Melanie Ricks (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • 5:35 Iowa – Drew Stevens 41-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:31; Iowa 3–0)
Second quarter
  • 1:00 Iowa – Drew Stevens 28-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 2:48; Iowa 6–0)
Third quarter
  • 11:32 Iowa – Reece Vander Zee 7-yard pass from Cade McNamara (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:28; Iowa 12–0)
  • 7:46 Iowa – Jacob Gill 31-yard pass from Cade McNamara (Drew Stevens kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:27; Iowa 19–0)
Fourth quarter
  • 14:54 Iowa – Reece Vander Zee 19-yard pass from Cade McNamara (Drew Stevens kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 62 yards, 1:39; Iowa 26–0)
  • 11:09 Iowa – Kaleb Johnson 64-yard run (Drew Stevens kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 2:04; Iowa 33–0)
  • 5:48 Iowa – Kaleb Johnson 18-yard run (Drew Stevens kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 3:11; Iowa 40–0)
StatisticsILSTIOWA
First downs1223
Total yards189492
Rushing yards56241
Passing yards133251
Passing: Comp–Att–Int14–29–121–31–0
Time of possession25:1234:48
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse10/20, 119 yards, INT
RushingWenkers Wright9 carries, 36 yards
ReceivingXavier Loyd4 receptions, 53 yards
IowaPassing Cade McNamara 21/31, 251 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Kaleb Johnson 11 carries, 119 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingReece Vander Zee5 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD

at North Alabama

Pregame lineOver/under
ILST -13.550.5
Game Two – No. 21 Illinois State Redbirds (0–1) vs North Alabama Lions (0–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 21 Redbirds7710024
Lions307717

at Braly StadiumFlorence, AL

  • Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CST
  • Game weather: SE at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h) • Weather: Sunny • Temp: 81 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 8,014
  • Referee: Jeremee Tate
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Benjamin Ray (play-by-play) and Bryan Neece (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (11:17) ILST – Mitch Bartol 18-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Ian Wagner kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:39; ILST 7-0)
  • (7:27) UNA – Scott Payne 25-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:50; ILST 7-3)
Second quarter
  • (11:42) ILST – Tommy Rittenhouse 3-yard rush (Ian Wagner kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:18; ILST 14-3)
Third quarter
  • (6:17) UNA – Kobe Warden 15-yard pass from Ari Patu (Scott Payne kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:38; ILST 14-10)
  • (6:00) ILST – Tommy Rittenhouse 71-yard rush (Ian Wagner kick) (Drive: 1 play, 71 yards, 0:10; ILST 21-10)
  • (7:27) ILST – Ian Wagner 21-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 83 yards, 4:48; ILST 24-10)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:57) UNA – Ari Patu 7-yard rush (Scott Payne kick) (Drive: 4 play, 72 yards, 1:25; ILST 21-17)
StatisticsILSTUNA
First downs2017
Total yards478411
Rushing yards32583
Passing yards153328
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16-26-121-36-1
Time of possession30:3129:29
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse13/21, 142 yards, TD, INT
RushingWenkers Wright26 carries, 153 yards
ReceivingDylan Ford6 receptions, 52 yards
North AlabamaPassingAri Patu21/36, 328 yards, TD, INT
RushingJayvian Allen14 carries, 63 yards
ReceivingTakairee Kenebrew7 receptions, 129 yards

Western Illinois

Game Three – Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–2) vs No. 18 Illinois State Redbirds (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Leathernecks7147634
No. 18 Redbirds1410141351

at Hancock StadiumNormal, IL

  • Date: September 14, 2024
  • Game time: 12:05 p.m.
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 12,440
  • Referee: Jason Perkins
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:50) ILST – Xavier Loyd 59-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Ian Wagner kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:10; ILST 7-0)
  • (8:30) ILST – Tommy Rittenhouse 6-yard rush (Ian Wagner kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:10; ILST 14-0)
  • (4:26) WIU – Nathan Lamb 6-yard rush (Antonio Chadha kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:04; ILST 14-7)
Second quarter
  • (12:35) WIU – Christian Anaya 3-yard pass from Nathan Lamb (Antonio Chadha kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 95 yards, 5:36; Tie 14-14)
  • (10:36) ILST – Jake Rubley 1-yard rush (Ian Wagner kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 1:58; ILST 21-14)
  • (5:25) WIU – Nathan Lamb 6-yard rush (Antonio Chadha kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 5:05; Tie 21-21)
  • (2:42) ILST – Ian Wagner 21-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 2:43; ILST 24-21)
Third quarter
  • (11:55) ILST – Lavoise-Deontae McCoy 58-yard blocked field goal return (Ian Wagner kick) (ILST 31-21)
  • (7:36) WIU – Nathan Lamb 2-yard rush (Antonio Chadha kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:19; ILST 31-28)
  • (3:52) ILST – Wenkers Wright 3-yard rush (Ian Wagner kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards, 3:40; ILST 38-28)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:28) ILST – Daniel Sobkowicz 23-yard rush (Drive: 9 play, 54 yards, 3:06; ILST 44-28)
  • (3:27) ILST – Matt Lawson 4-yard rush (Ian Wagner kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:43; ILST 51-28)
  • (0:02) ILST – Eli Aragon 3-yard pass from Chris Irvin (Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 3:25; ILST 51-34)
StatisticsWIUILST
First downs3121
Total yards503390
Rushing yards186189
Passing yards317201
Passing: Comp–Att–Int31-43-116-25-0
Time of possession38:3321:27
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western IllinoisPassingNathan Lamb24-34, 269 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingCameron Smith20 Att, 78 Yards, 0 TD
RushingNathan Lamb15 Att, 74 Yards, 3 TD
ReceivingMatthew Henry7 Rec, 124 Yards
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse16-22, 201 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
RushingWenkers Wright16 Att, 106 Yards, 1 TD
ReceivingXavier Loyd4 Rec, 85 Yards, 1 TD

Eastern Illinois (Mid-America Classic)

Game Four – Eastern Illinois Panthers (1–2) vs No. 17 Illinois State Redbirds (2–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers00000
No. 17 Redbirds00000

at Hancock StadiumNormal, IL

  • Date: September 21, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsEIUILST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Eastern IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 2 North Dakota State

Game Five – No. 2 North Dakota State Bison (3–1) vs No. 18 Illinois State Redbirds (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 2 Bison7721742
No. 18 Redbirds070310

at Hancock StadiumNormal, IL

  • Date: September 28, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 11,687
  • Referee: Aaron Adams
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
  • (6:45) NDSU – Bryce Lance 7-yard pass from Cam Miller, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 6:47; North Dakota State 7-0)
Second quarter
  • (4:45) NDSU – Mekhi Collins 11-yard pass from Cam Miller, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 10:09; North Dakota State 14-0)
  • (2:56) ILST – Wenkers Wright 2-yard run, Ian Wagner kick (Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 1:43; North Dakota State 14-7)
Third quarter
  • (10:55) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 40-yard pass from Cam Miller, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 4:01; North Dakota State 21-7)
  • (6:07) NDSU – CharMar Brown 14-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 3:05; North Dakota State 28-7)
  • (1:51) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 9-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 2:25; North Dakota State 35-7)
Fourth quarter
  • (11:27) NDSU – Cole Payton 73-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 4 plays, 97 yards, 2:18; North Dakota State 42-7)
  • (5:44) ILST – Ian Wagner 38-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 5:43; North Dakota State 42-10)
StatisticsNDSUILST
First downs2912
Total yards544206
Rushing yards3078
Passing yards237198
Passing: Comp–Att–Int21–24–017–24–0
Time of possession38:5721:03
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North Dakota StatePassing Cam Miller 20/23, 216 yards, 3 TD
Rushing CharMar Brown 17 carries, 100 yards, TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 8 receptions, 65 yards, TD
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse10/14, 132 yards
RushingWenkers Wright9 carries, 24 yards, TD
ReceivingXavier Lloyd3 receptions, 52 yards

at No. 19 Southern Illinois

Game Six – No. 18 Illinois State Redbirds (3–2) vs No. 19 Southern Illinois Salukis (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 18 Redbirds00000
No. 19 Salukis00000

at Saluki StadiumCarbondale, IL

  • Date: October 5, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILSTSIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Missouri State

Game Seven – Missouri State Bears (3–2) vs No. 16 Illinois State Redbirds (4–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears00000
No. 18 Redbirds00000

at Hancock StadiumNormal, IL

  • Date: October 12, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsMOSTILST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Missouri StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Murray State

Game Eight – No. 21 Illinois State Redbirds (4–3) vs Murray State Racers (1–5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 21 Redbirds00000
Racers00000

at Roy Stewart StadiumMurray, KY

  • Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILSTMURR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Murray StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Youngstown State

Game Nine – Youngstown State Penguins (3–6) vs No. 21 Illinois State Redbirds (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Penguins00000
No. 21 Redbirds00000

at Hancock StadiumNormal, IL

  • Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsYSUILST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Youngstown StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Northern Iowa

Game Ten – No. 18 Illinois State Redbirds (6–3) vs Northern Iowa Panthers (2–7) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 18 Redbirds00000
Panthers00000

at UNI-DomeCedar Falls, IA

  • Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILSTUNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Indiana State

Game Eleven – No. 17 Illinois State Redbirds (7–3) vs Indiana State Sycamores (4–6) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 17 Redbirds00000
Sycamores00000

at Memorial StadiumTerre Haute, IN

  • Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILSTINST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

North Dakota

Game Twelve – North Dakota Fighting Hawks (5–6) vs No. 14 Illinois State Redbirds (8–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fighting Hawks00000
No. 14 Redbirds00000

at Hancock StadiumNormal, IL

  • Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUNDILST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 16 Southeast Missouri State (NCAA Division I Playoff–First Round)

NCAA Division I Playoff–First Round – No. 16 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (9–3) at No. 11 Illinois State Redbirds (9–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 11 Redbirds7217035
No. 16 Redhawks7071327

at Houck StadiumCape Girardeau, MO

  • Date: Saturday November 30, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 32 °F (0 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Preston Clipper
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play) and Jay Sonnhalter (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (5:20) SEMO – Dorian Anderson 4 yard pass from Paxton DeLaurent, DC Pippin kick (Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 4:43; SEMO 7–0)
  • (1:31) ILST – Wenkers Wright 2 yard run, Ian Wagner kick (Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 3:43; TIED 7–7)
Second quarter
  • (5:50) ILST – Daniel Sobkowicz 62 yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Drive: 2 plays, 62 yards, 0:38; ILST 13–7)
  • (2:06) ILST – Jake Anderson 55 yard interception return, Daniel Sobkowicz pass to Mitch Bartol for two-point conversion (ILST 21–7)
  • (0:43) ILST – Xavier Loyd 24 yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse, Ian Wagner kick (Drive: 3 plays, 40 yards, 0:45; ILST 28–7)
Third quarter
  • (11:40) SEMO – Donnie Cheers 10 yard pass from Paxton DeLaurent, DC Pippin kick (Drive: 10 plays, 88 yards, 3:12; ILST 28–14)
  • (9:45) ILST – Keondre Jackson 30 yard interception return, Ian Wagner kick (ILST 35–14)
Fourth quarter
  • (6:44) SEMO – Tristan Smith 9 yard pass from Paxton DeLaurent, DC Pippin kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 2:40; ILST 35–21)
  • (1:31) SEMO – Dorian Anderson 34 yard pass from Paxton DeLaurent (Drive: 4 plays, 66 yards, 0:39; ILST 35–27)
StatisticsILSTSEMO
First downs1434
Total yards322602
Rushing yards4535
Passing yards277567
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–36–048–85–5
Time of possession25:3334:27
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse24/36, 277 yards, 2 TD
RushingWenkers Wright12 carries, 17 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz7 receptions, 136 yards, 1 TD
Southeast Missouri StatePassingPaxton DeLaurent48/85, 567 yards, 4 TD, 5 INT
RushingBrandon Epton Jr.6 carries, 32 yards
ReceivingCam Pedro11 receptions, 149 yards

at No. 5 UC Davis (NCAA Division I Playoff–Second Round)

NCAA Division I Playoff–First Round – No. 11 Illinois State Redbirds (10-3) vs No. 5 UC Davis Aggies (10–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 11 Redbirds00000
No. 5 Aggies00000

at UC Davis Health StadiumDavis, CA

  • Date: Saturday December 7, 2024
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILLSTUCD
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
UC DavisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. "Football Coaches". Illinois State University Athletics. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  2. "Valley Football 2024 Preseason Team and Poll". Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 22, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  3. "2024 Illinois State Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  4. "2024 Football Schedule". Illinois State Athletics. Retrieved March 9, 2024.