McLean County Times

Illinois State and Southern Illinois are set to face each other in a significant Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) matchup on October 5, 2024. The game will take place at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois, with both teams looking to advance their standing within the conference.

The rivalry between these two teams dates back to 1929, with Southern Illinois leading the series 43-38-3. The last meeting in 2022 saw Southern Illinois securing a narrow victory over Illinois State with a score of 19-14. Both teams are currently ranked closely in national standings, with Illinois State at No. 18 and Southern Illinois at No. 19.

Brock Spack, head coach for Illinois State, is guiding his team into this match with an overall record of 104-72 over his tenure. Under Spack's leadership, the Redbirds have shared MVFC titles twice and reached five playoff appearances.

Southern Illinois' head coach Nick Hill has been at the helm for nine seasons and led the Salukis to three playoff appearances recently. Despite their current record of two wins and three losses, they aim to rebound from consecutive defeats as they enter this crucial game.

Illinois State is pursuing a state title against fellow FCS schools from Illinois after securing victories against Western and Eastern Illinois earlier this season. Their offensive strength was evident when they recorded over 500 yards of offense against Eastern Illinois.

Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse has shown consistent performance by completing a high percentage of passes while contributing both through passing touchdowns and rushing yards. Meanwhile, running back Wenkers Wright has stepped up following an injury to Mason King by delivering multiple standout performances on the ground.

The matchup promises intense competition as both teams strive for improvement within the MVFC rankings.