2025 Illinois State Redbirds football team

Last updated

2025 Illinois State Redbirds football
Illinois State Redbirds Wordmark.png
Conference Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 17 (tie)
FCS CoachesNo. 17
Record12–4 (5–3 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Tony Petersen (4th season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinatorTravis Niekamp (8th season)
Base defense 3–3–5
Home stadium Hancock Stadium
Seasons
←  2024
2026 →
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 North Dakota State $^ 8–0  12–1 
No. 12 South Dakota ^ 6–2  10–5 
No. 17т Illinois State ^ 5–3  12–4 
No. 19 North Dakota ^ 5–3  8–6 
No. 14 Youngstown State ^ 5–3  8–5 
No. 16 South Dakota State ^ 4–4  9–5 
No. 23 Southern Illinois  4–4  7–5 
Northern Iowa  1–7  3–9 
Murray State  1–7  1–11 
Indiana State  1–7  3–9 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
As of December 28, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Illinois State Redbirds football team represent Illinois State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They are led by 17th-year head coach Brock Spack. The Redbirds played their home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois. The Redbirds defeated Southeastern Louisiana, #1 ranked North Dakota State, UC Davis and Villanova on the road to become the first FCS team to win four consecutive road playoff games. [1] The victory over Villanova guaranteed Illinois State would appear in their first FCS National Championship Game since 2014; they will face Montana State on January 5.

Contents

Preseason

MVFC poll

The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 21, 2025, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Redbirds were predicted to finish fourth in the conference. [2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 305:00 PMat No. 18 (FBS) Oklahoma *No. 6
 SECN+/ESPN+ L 3–3583,218
September 66:00 PM Morehead State *No. 7
ESPN+W 41–139,671
September 132:00 PMat Eastern Illinois *No. 7
ESPN+W 42–306,720
September 2012:00 PM North Alabama *No. 6
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+W 38–36 2OT11,287
October 46:00 PMNo. 1 North Dakota State No. 6
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+L 16–339,829
October 116:00 PMat Murray State No. 9
ESPN+W 46–325,647
October 182:00 PM Youngstown State Dagger-14-plain.pngNo. 10
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
 Marquee/ESPN+L 35–409,834
October 251:00 PMat No. 21 South Dakota No. 18
 MidCo Sports/ESPN+W 21–136,333
November 12:00 PM Northern Iowa No. 17
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
Marquee/ESPN+W 31–167,756
November 812:00 PMat Indiana State No. 16
ESPN+W 52–203,522
November 152:00 PMat No. 16 South Dakota State No. 14
MidCo Sports/ESPN+W 35–2111,407
November 2212:00 PMNo. 24 Southern Illinois No. 11
Marquee/ESPN+L 7–376,895
November 2912:00 PMat No. 17т Southeastern Louisiana *No. 17т
ESPN+W 21–36,117
December 612:00 PMat No. 1 North Dakota State*No. 17т
ESPN+W 29–2810,464
December 134:00 PMat No. 11 UC Davis *No. 17т
ESPN+W 42–319,216
December 206:30 PMat No. 9 Villanova *No. 17т
 ESPN2 W 30–144,133
January 5, 20266:30 PMvs. No. 2 Montana State *No. 17т
 ESPN
  • *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

All times are Central time

at No. 18 (FBS) Oklahoma

No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (0–0) at No. 18 (FBS) Oklahoma Sooners (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 6 Redbirds00303
No. 18 (FBS) Sooners71401435

at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, OK

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 5:00 PM CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: E at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 83,218
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Tyoka Jackson (analyst), Madison Hock (sideline)
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • (11:50) OKLA – Deion Burks 27 yard pass from John Mateer, Tate Sandell kick (Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:08; OKLA 14–0)
  • (0:51) OKLA - Tory Blaylock 5 yard rush, Tate Sandell kick (Drive: 15 plays, 81 yards, 7:27; OKLA 21–0)
Third quarter
  • (6:26) ISU – Matt Maldonado 33 yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:58; OKLA 21–3)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:52) OKLA – Keontez Lewis 28 yard pass from John Mateer, Tate Sandell kick (Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 6:34; OKLA 27–3)
  • (4:33) OKLA – Keontez Lewis 20 yard pass from John Mateer, Tate Sandell kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:02; OKLA 35–3)
StatisticsILSTOU
First downs824
Total yards151495
Rushing yards117103
Passing yards34392
Passing: Comp–Att–Int10–20–030–37–1
Time of possession27:0432:56
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse6/13, 22 yards
RushingWenkers Wright7 carries, 50 yards
ReceivingScotty Presson Jr2 receptions, 8 yards
OklahomaPassing John Mateer 30/37, 392 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Tory Blaylock 8 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Keontez Lewis 9 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD

Morehead State

Morehead State Eagles (1–0) at No. 7 Illinois State Redbirds (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles600713
No. 7 Redbirds314101441

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: NW at 11 miles per hour (18 km/h)
  • Referee: Carl Chapman
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst), Genna Rose (sideline)
  • Box Score
StatisticsMOREILST
First downs2021
Total yards234393
Rushing yards100223
Passing yards134170
Passing: Comp–Att–Int14–28–113–23–1
Time of possession35:2624:34
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Morehead StatePassingCarter Cravens14/28, 134 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingIsaac Stopke13 carries, 86 yards
ReceivingRyan Upp7 receptions, 69 yards
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse8/13, 81 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingVictor Dawson10 carries, 88 yards
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD

at Eastern Illinois (Mid-America Classic)

No. 7 Illinois State Redbirds (1–1) at Eastern Illinois Panthers (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 7 Redbirds71471442
Panthers01002030

at O'Brien Field • Charleston, IL

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind: S at 12 miles per hour (19 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 6,720
  • Referee: Drew Myers
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Mike Bradd (play-by-play), Dave Kidwell (analyst), Kaylee Unruh (sideline)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTEIU
First downs2420
Total yards485446
Rushing yards18635
Passing yards299411
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–35–028–44–2
Time of possession30:3029:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse24/35, 299 yards, 3 TD
RushingWenkers Wright14 carries, 94 yards, 3 TD
ReceivingLuke Mailander5 receptions, 109 yards, 1 TD
Eastern IllinoisPassingConnor Wolf28/44, 411 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
RushingCharles Kellom15 carries, 22 yards
ReceivingC J Nelson7 receptions, 194 yards, 2 TD

North Alabama

North Alabama Lions (1–2) at No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (2–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234OT2OTTotal
Lions077133636
No. 6 Redbirds314733838

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: S at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 11,287
  • Referee: John Shay
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst), Kalia Butler (sideline)
  • Box Score
Game information
First Quarter
  • (5:18) ILST – Matt Maldonado 42-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 1:50; ILST 3-0)
Second Quarter
  • (14:21) ILST – Wenkers Wright 38-yard run (Matt Maldonado kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:00; ILST 10-0)
  • (9:42) ILST – Luke Mailander 10-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:05; ILST 17-0)
  • (0:09) UNA – Noah Gregg 10-yard pass from Ari Patu (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 0:22; ILST 17-7)
Third Quarter
  • (9:24) UNA – Jayvian Allen 1-yard run (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:08; ILST 17-14)
  • (1:54) ILST – Daniel Sobkowicz 6-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 2:52; ILST 24-14)
Fourth Quarter
  • (5:54) UNA – Justin Pegues 39-yard pass from Ari Patu (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 90 yards, 5:26; ILST 24-21)
  • (2:36) ILST – Matt Maldonado 51-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 3:06; ILST 27-21)
  • (0:33) UNA – KJ Fields 25-yard pass from Ari Patu (Ian Vachon kick no good) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:03; Tied 27-27)
Overtime
  • UNA – Ian Vachon 42-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 1 yards; UNA 30-27)
  • ILST – Matt Maldonado 38-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards; Tied 30-30)
Double overtime
  • ILST – Daniel Sobkowicz 25-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Daniel Sobkowicz pass) (Drive: 1 play, 25 yards; ILST 38-30)
  • UNA – Justin Pegues 18-yard pass from Ari Patu (Two point conversion failed) (Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards; ILST 38-36)
StatisticsUNAILST
First downs2429
Total yards409506
Rushing yards144217
Passing yards265289
Passing: Comp–Att–Int22–37–121–37–0
Time of possession30:3029:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassingAri Patu17/31, 243 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
RushingAri Patu14 carries, 60 yards
ReceivingK J Fields7 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse20/36, 250 yards, 3 TD
RushingTommy Rittenhouse9 carries, 89 yards
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz10 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD

No. 1 North Dakota State

No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (4–0) at No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 1 Bison7831533
No. 6 Redbirds277016

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Wind: N at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 9,829
  • Referee: Jason Berg
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Greg Halbleib (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst)
  • Box Score
Game information
First Quarter
  • (9:35) ILST – Tye Niekamp 0-yard safety (Illinois State 2–0)
  • (2:50) NDSU – Cole Payton 13-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:53; North Dakota State 7–2)
Second Quarter
  • (11:37) ILST – Wenkers Wright 6-yard run, Matt Maldonado kick (Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 6:13; Illinois State 9–7)
  • (4:56) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 42-yard run, Cole Payton rush (Drive: 3 plays, 68 yards, 1:25; North Dakota State 15–9)
Third Quarter
  • (8:15) NDSU – Eli Ozick 38-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 6:38; North Dakota State 18–9)
  • (3:06) ILST – Daniel Sobkowicz 3-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse, Matt Maldonado kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:09; North Dakota State 18–16)
Fourth Quarter
  • (13:14) NDSU – Bryce Lance 23-yard pass from Cole Payton, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 4:45; North Dakota State 25–16)
  • (8:21) NDSU – DJ Scott 5-yard run, Cole Payton rush (Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:51; North Dakota State 33–16)
StatisticsNDSUILST
First downs2122
Total yards50–40766–238
Rushing yards36–21331–137
Passing yards194191
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12–14–020–35–1
Time of possession29:3830:22
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North Dakota StatePassing Cole Payton 12/14, 194 yards, 1 TD
RushingBarika Kpeenu14 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJackson Williams3 receptions, 71 yards
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse20/35, 191 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingVictor Dawson11 carries, 68 yards
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz7 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

at Murray State

No. 9 Illinois State Redbirds (3–2) at Murray State Racers (0–5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 9 Redbirds211012346
Racers3147832

at Roy Stewart Stadium • Murray, KY

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • Game weather: • Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: NE at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 5,647
  • Referee: Gregory Gompf
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Casey Roehl (play-by-play), Drayton Charlton-Perrin (analyst)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTMUR
First downs3126
Total yards510471
Rushing yards172170
Passing yards338301
Passing: Comp–Att–Int21–25–024–40–1
Time of possession30:5729:03
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse21/25, 338 yards, 4 TD
RushingVictor Dawson10 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz8 receptions, 162 yards, 1 TD
Murray StatePassingJim Ogle23/39, 283 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJawaun Northington15 carries, 71 yards
ReceivingLucas Desjardins8 receptions, 95 yards

Youngstown State

Youngstown State Penguins (3–3) at No. 10 Illinois State Redbirds (4–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Penguins6672140
No. 10 Redbirds01414735

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: SW at 15 miles per hour (24 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 9,834
  • Referee: David Hergert
  • TV announcers (Marquee/ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst), Kacy Standohar (sideline)
  • Box Score
Game information
First Quarter
  • (9:37) YSU – Andrew Lastovka 32-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 5:16; YSU 3–0)
  • (4:40) YSU – Andrew Lastovka 23-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 30 yards, 4:16; YSU 6–0)
Second Quarter
  • (8:49) YSU – Beau Brungard 2-yard run, two-point conversion failed (Drive: 13 plays, 92 yards, 7:27; YSU 12–0)
  • (6:45) ILST – Javon Charles 13-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse, Matt Maldonado kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:04; YSU 12–7)
  • (0:31) ILST – Wenkers Wright 12-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse, Matt Maldonado kick (Drive: 3 plays, 39 yards, 0:18; ILST 14–12)
Third Quarter
  • (14:43) ILST – Eddie Kasper 37-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse, Matt Maldonado kick (Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:08; ILST 21–12)
  • (10:41) YSU – Mike Solomon 36-yard pass from Beau Brungard, Andrew Lastovka kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:02; ILST 21–19)
  • (2:43) ILST – Luke Mailander 18-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse, Matt Maldonado kick (Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards, 1:35; ILST 28–19)
Fourth Quarter
  • (11:52) YSU – Beau Brungard 1-yard run, Andrew Lastovka kick (Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 5:45; ILST 28–26)
  • (8:06) YSU – Fresh Walter 53-yard pass from Beau Brungard, Andrew Lastovka kick (Drive: 5 plays, 79 yards, 1:56; YSU 33–28)
  • (5:51) YSU – Beau Brungard 48-yard run, Andrew Lastovka kick (Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:53; YSU 40–28)
  • (3:12) ILST – Wenkers Wright 3-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse, Matt Maldonado kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 2:39; YSU 40–35)
StatisticsYSUILST
First downs2723
Total yards561348
Rushing yards233142
Passing yards328206
Passing: Comp–Att–Int23–34–116–30–2
Time of possession39:1520:45
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Youngstown StatePassingBeau Brungard23/34, 328 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingBeau Brungard30 carries, 200 yards, 3 TD
ReceivingEthan Wright4 receptions, 86 yards
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse16/29, 206 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT
RushingTommy Rittenhouse10 carries, 65 yards
ReceivingLuke Mailander4 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD

at No. 21 South Dakota

No. 18 Illinois State Redbirds (4–3) at No. 21 South Dakota Coyotes (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 18 Redbirds0147021
No. 21 Coyotes370313

at DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 PM CDT
  • Game weather: Indoors • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,333
  • Referee: Jason Perkins
  • TV announcers (MidCo Sports/ESPN+): Jay Eisen (play-by-play), Andre Fields (analyst)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTSDAK
First downs1822
Total yards300369
Rushing yards130196
Passing yards170173
Passing: Comp–Att–Int19–28–021–39–0
Time of possession23:1936:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse18/27, 141 yards, 2 TD
RushingSeth Glatz5 carries, 35 yards
ReceivingDylan Lord8 receptions, 82 yards
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman21/38, 173 yards, 1 TD
RushingL J Phillips Jr26 carries, 129 yards
ReceivingLarenzo Fenner4 receptions, 65 yards

Northern Iowa

Northern Iowa Panthers (2–6) at No. 17 Illinois State Redbirds (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers037616
No. 17 Redbirds1477331

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 50 °F (10 °C) • Wind: W at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 7,756
  • Referee: Tyler Downs
  • TV announcers (Marquee/ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Zack Annexstad (analyst), Kalia Butler (sideline)
  • Box Score
StatisticsUNIILST
First downs1625
Total yards240430
Rushing yards98202
Passing yards142228
Passing: Comp–Att–Int15–23–228–37–0
Time of possession28:3231:28
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IowaPassingJaxon Dailey15/23, 142 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RushingJaxon Dailey16 carries, 40 yards
ReceivingJ C Roque Jr5 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse28/37, 228 yards, 1 TD
RushingVictor Dawson17 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingLuke Mailander4 receptions, 72 yards

at Indiana State

No. 16 Illinois State Redbirds (6–3) at Indiana State Sycamores (3–6) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 16 Redbirds72817052
Sycamores776020

at Memorial Stadium • Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Wind: NW at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 3,202
  • Referee: Carl Chapman
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Joey O'Rourke (play-by-play), Jim Leisure (analyst), Piper Watkins (sideline)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTINST
First downs3312
Total yards555272
Rushing yards24168
Passing yards314204
Passing: Comp–Att–Int29–34–017–28–2
Time of possession40:4219:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse29/34, 314 yards, 4 TD
RushingVictor Dawson21 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDylan Lord8 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
Indiana StatePassingKeegan Patterson16/26, 202 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RushingDeion Brown7 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingRashad Rochelle6 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD

at No. 16 South Dakota State

No. 14 Illinois State Redbirds (7–3) at No. 16 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (7–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 14 Redbirds2870035
No. 16 Jackrabbits0130821

at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 52 °F (11 °C) • Wind: N at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 11,407
  • Referee: Grant Henderson
  • TV announcers (MidCo Sports/ESPN+): Tyler Merriam (play-by-play), Mason Lieseth (analyst)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTSDST
First downs2022
Total yards275320
Rushing yards13466
Passing yards141254
Passing: Comp–Att–Int17–33–032–51–2
Time of possession28:5631:04
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse17/32, 141 yards, 3 TD
RushingVictor Dawson20 carries, 98 yards
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz5 receptions, 55 yards, 3 TD
South Dakota StatePassingJack Henry32/51, 254 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RushingJack Henry18 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingAlex Bullock9 receptions, 68 yards

No. 24 Southern Illinois (Senior Day)

No. 24 Southern Illinois Salukis (6–5) at No. 11 Illinois State Redbirds (8–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 24 Salukis71031737
No. 11 Redbirds70007

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: • Temperature: 50 °F (10 °C) • Wind: SW at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 6,895
  • Referee: John Shay
  • TV announcers (Marquee/ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Zack Annexstad (analyst), Kacy Standohar (sideline)
  • Box Score
StatisticsSIUILST
First downs2212
Total yards455217
Rushing yards29673
Passing yards159144
Passing: Comp–Att–Int18–31–015–27–2
Time of possession36:5323:07
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern IllinoisPassingD J Williams18/30, 159 yards
RushingEddie Robinson19 carries, 145 yards
ReceivingJay Jones4 receptions, 60 yards
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse12/22, 134 yards, 1 INT
RushingVictor Dawson14 carries, 25 yards
ReceivingDylan Lord4 receptions, 67 yards

NCAA Division I playoffs

at No. 17т Southeastern Louisiana (first round)

No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (8–4) at No. 17т Southeastern Louisiana Lions (9–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 17т Redbirds707721
No. 17т Lions03003

at Strawberry Stadium • Hammond, LA

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 67 °F (19 °C) • Wind: SE at 13 miles per hour (21 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 3,321
  • Referee: Jeff Pumphrey
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jack Benjamin (play-by-play), Forrest Conoly (analyst)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTSLU
First downs1718
Total yards292321
Rushing yards145107
Passing yards147214
Passing: Comp–Att–Int15–23–024–39–4
Time of possession28:2131:39
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse14/22, 146 yards
RushingVictor Dawson11 carries, 72 yards
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz8 receptions, 89 yards
Southeastern LouisianaPassingCarson Camp14/21, 120 yards, 3 INT
RushingJaedon Henry8 carries, 45 yards
ReceivingJaylon Domingeaux6 receptions, 78 yards

at No. 1 North Dakota State (second round)

No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (9–4) at No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (12–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 17т Redbirds01401529
No. 1 Bison1470728

at Fargodome • Fargo, ND

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors • Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 10,464
  • Referee: Gregg Wilson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play), Charles Arbuckle (commentator)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTNDSU
First downs236
Total yards422179
Rushing yards17359
Passing yards249120
Passing: Comp–Att–Int35–52–56–19–0
Time of possession42:0117:59
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse35/52, 249 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT
RushingVictor Dawson23 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz8 receptions, 67 yards, 3 TD
North Dakota StatePassing Cole Payton 4/12, 101 yards, 1 TD
RushingBarika Kpeenu16 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 1 reception, 78 yards, 1 TD

at No. 11 UC Davis (quarterfinal round)

No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (10–4) at No. 11 UC Davis Aggies (9–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 17т Redbirds21014742
No. 11 Aggies17001431

at UC Davis Health Stadium • Davis, CA

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 4:00 PM
  • Game weather: Fog • Temperature: 41 °F (5 °C) • Wind: NE at 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 9,216
  • Referee: James Brookhart
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Ted Emrich (play-by-play), Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTUCD
First downs2624
Total yards532533
Rushing yards266131
Passing yards266402
Passing: Comp–Att–Int15–21–129–41–1
Time of possession35:4524:15
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse15/20, 266 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RushingVictor Dawson29 carries, 148 yards
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz6 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD
UC DavisPassingCaden Pinnick29/41, 402 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RushingJordan Fisher13 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingStacy Dobbins10 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TD

at No. 9 Villanova (semifinal round)

No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (11–4) at No. 9 Villanova Wildcats (12–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 17т Redbirds7146330
No. 9 Wildcats060814

at Villanova Stadium • Philadelphia, PA

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 6:30 PM
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 31 °F (−1 °C) • Wind: S at 14 miles per hour (23 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 4,133
  • Referee: Zachary Erdmann
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Lowell Galindo (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), Lauren Sisler (sideline)
  • Box Score
StatisticsILSTNOVA
First downs2615
Total yards426300
Rushing yards175101
Passing yards251100
Passing: Comp–Att–Int18–38–113–30–1
Time of possession39:4320:17
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse18/38, 251 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingVictor Dawson34 carries, 155 yards
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz7 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD
VillanovaPassingPat McQuaide13/30, 199 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJa'briel Mace11 carries, 59 yards
ReceivingLuke Colella4 receptions, 58 yards

vs. No. 2 Montana State (championship game)

No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (12–4) vs. No. 2 Montana State Bobcats (13–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 17т Redbirds----0
No. 2 Bobcats----0

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, TN

StatisticsILSTMTST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Montana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
т = Tied with team above or below
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
STATS FCS 677676910181716141117т
Coaches 6744561092018171311т17

References

  1. ↑ https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47345628/2026-fcs-semifinals-preview-montana-montana-state-illinois-state-villanova
  2. ↑ "Missouri Valley Football Announces predicted order of finish". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  3. ↑ "2025 Football Schedule". goredbirds.com. Illinois State Athletics. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  4. ↑ "2025 Illinois State Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. FBSchedules. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
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