McLean County Times

Illinois State University's football team is set to conclude its regular season with a home game against North Dakota at Hancock Stadium. The match, scheduled for November 23, 2024, will see the Redbirds aiming to strengthen their NCAA FCS playoff prospects.

Currently ranked No. 13, Illinois State boasts an 8-3 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). The team has been on a strong run, winning four consecutive games and five of their last six. They will face North Dakota, which holds a 5-6 overall record and is 2-5 in MVFC play.

Historically, North Dakota leads the series against Illinois State with three wins. The teams have met three times previously, all resulting in victories for North Dakota. The most recent encounter ended in a narrow 22-21 win for North Dakota on November 18, 2023.

Brock Spack, head coach of Illinois State since 1983, has led the team to multiple playoff appearances and aims to guide them back into postseason contention this year. Under his leadership, the Redbirds have achieved significant success at home and are seeking another playoff berth after missing out since 2019.

North Dakota's head coach Bubba Schweigert has also guided his team to several postseason appearances in recent years. Despite starting the season strong with a 4-1 record, North Dakota has struggled recently with four consecutive losses.

The Redbirds' performance this season has been bolstered by key players such as wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz and quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse. Sobkowicz recently surpassed the 2,000 career receiving yards mark while Rittenhouse has excelled during Illinois State's winning streak.

Illinois State's defense has also seen significant contributions from linebacker Amir Abdullah following his return from injury. His presence has helped solidify the team's defensive efforts during their recent victories.

As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, Illinois State looks to capitalize on its home advantage at Hancock Stadium where they have performed well historically under Coach Spack's guidance.