Redbirds Surge into Final Regular-Season Game on Four-Game Tear
Written by Kole Schipper on November 18, 2025
Image Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
NORMAL, Ill.-November has been very welcoming to the Redbirds over the last two years, with Illinois State going 8-0 in the month, including playoff games. Most recently, the Redbirds traveled to South Dakota to face the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State, one of the premier programs in the FCS and the Missouri Valley Football Conference. ISU walked into Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and rolled the Jackrabbits 35-21, opening the game with 28 unanswered points.
It was all Redbirds in Brookings, with the score sitting at 28-0 after the first quarter. Illinois State received the opening kickoff and marched down the field to score within the first two minutes. Less than a minute later, sophomore linebacker Patrick Bauer intercepted Jack Henry and returned it for a 5-yard touchdown. SDSU then muffed the ensuing kickoff, allowing the Redbirds to go up 21-0 less than five minutes into the game.
Defense turned into offense, and the Redbirds capitalized on the momentum. Upperclassmen — particularly seniors — controlled the offense, led by the quarterback-wide receiver duo of Tommy Rittenhouse and Daniel Sobkowicz. Rittenhouse went 17-for-32 for 141 yards and three touchdowns, all of which were hauled in by Sobkowicz, who finished with five catches for 55 yards and three scores. When the pass game stalled or the Redbirds needed short yardage, they turned to senior running back Victor Dawson, who carried 20 times for 98 yards.
Illinois State now returns home after a two-game road stretch to close the regular season against Southern Illinois. The Salukis bring a high-powered offense, totaling 400 points and nearly 5,000 yards this season. The Redbird defense, which has shown steady improvement over the last five games, will face another significant test.
Southern Illinois is led by senior quarterback DJ Williams, who has thrown for 2,687 yards, 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Williams has also been dangerous on the ground, rushing for 713 yards and 14 touchdowns. Through 11 weeks, he has amassed 3,400 total yards and 36 total touchdowns — another tall challenge for an Illinois State defense that has not backed down.
No. 11 Illinois State (8-3, 5-2 MVFC) hosts No. 24 Southern Illinois (6-5, 3-4 MVFC) in a Week 12 matchup at Jay and Lori Bergman Field at Hancock Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. Tune in to 103.3 WZND at 11:50 a.m. for the live broadcast with Adam Tichler and Noah Simon.
For all things Redbird Football, be sure to stay tuned to wznd.com.
