Marian Kneer Stadium | Illinois State University Athletics
Marian Kneer Stadium | Illinois State University Athletics
Illinois State University’s football team is preparing for its final road game of the 2024 regular season against Indiana State University. The match, scheduled for November 16 at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Indiana, is crucial for Illinois State's playoff hopes. The Redbirds, currently holding a record of 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), aim to secure their fourth consecutive win.
The historical series between Illinois State and Indiana State dates back to 1936, with Illinois leading the series 40-32-2. Under head coach Brock Spack, who has been with Illinois since 1983 and led them to five playoff appearances, the Redbirds have a favorable record against the Sycamores.
Indiana State's current season stands at 4-6 overall and 3-3 in MVFC play. Recently, they achieved victories over Southern Illinois and North Dakota but suffered a heavy defeat against South Dakota last Saturday.
"Indiana State defensive end Joey Shew was named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week due to his efforts in the 35-31 win over No. 15 North Dakota," according to recent reports.
Illinois State's last encounter with Indiana resulted in a significant victory for the Redbirds with a score of 44-7. Quarterback Zack Annexstad played a key role by throwing four touchdown passes during that game.
The upcoming game will be an opportunity for several standout players from both teams to showcase their skills once again. For Illinois State, freshman tailback Matt Lawson recently delivered an impressive performance against UNI by rushing for a career-high of 84 yards.
Coach Spack continues to climb coaching ranks within MVFC history after securing his career’s milestone victory earlier this year. "Already Illinois State's program wins record holder," Spack has achieved notable success throughout his tenure at ISU.
This weekend’s matchup holds significance not only as part of this year's schedule but also as another chapter in this long-standing rivalry between two competitive teams within their conference.
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