McLean County Times

Illinois State University’s football team is set to face UC Davis in the second round of the 2024 FCS Playoffs. The game will take place on December 7, at UC Davis Health Stadium in California. Illinois State enters the matchup following a victory over Southeast Missouri State, while UC Davis comes off a successful season with a 10-2 record.

This meeting marks the first encounter between Illinois State and UC Davis. For Illinois State, this is their ninth appearance in the FCS playoffs, with previous achievements including reaching the quarterfinals six times and advancing to the championship game once.

Illinois State's head coach Brock Spack has been recognized for his leadership, being named a finalist for the 2024 Eddie Robinson Award. Under his guidance, Illinois State has achieved significant playoff success and currently holds an impressive road record.

UC Davis is led by Tim Plough, who also received recognition as an Eddie Robinson Award finalist. Plough guided his team to earn a high seed in this year's playoffs.

Key players for UC Davis include running back Lan Larison and quarterback Miles Hastings, both finalists for prestigious awards due to their outstanding performances this season. Meanwhile, linebacker David Meyer has been noted for his defensive contributions.

Illinois State boasts several standout athletes as well. Wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz recently surpassed 2,000 career receiving yards. Running back Wenkers Wright achieved over 1,000 rushing yards this season for the first time in his career.

The Redbirds' defense has shown resilience throughout the season, highlighted by their recent record-setting performance against Southeast Missouri State where they forced eight turnovers.

Both teams are eager to advance further into the playoffs with aspirations of securing a spot in the quarterfinals.