Redbirds Kick off 2025 Season at Oklahoma

NORMAL, Ill. – Fresh off a 10-win season and a return to the FCS playoffs in 2024, Illinois State football kicks off the 2025 campaign with another marquee matchup on the national stage. Last year, the Redbirds faced off against FBS opponent Iowa in Week 1.

This year, the Redbirds travel to Norman, Oklahoma, this Saturday to take on SEC opponent Oklahoma at 5 p.m. Central time inside Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs and offers Illinois State another opportunity to make a statement early against a FBS opponent.

Riding momentum from last year, Illinois State opens the season ranked No. 6 in the FCS Coaches Poll. The Redbirds finished 10–4 in 2024, reaching the second round of the FCS playoffs before falling to UC Davis. With a strong returning core and valuable postseason experience, they enter 2025 poised to build on that success.

Leading the offense is senior quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, back for his final season after providing steady leadership and consistent play throughout 2024. He’s joined by senior running back Wenkers Wright, a physical runner and proven playmaker who returns as one of the top backs in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Mason King will also return from injury. The veteran backfield will be key to establishing rhythm early against an aggressive Oklahoma defense.

Defensively, Illinois State brings back several key pieces from a unit known for toughness, discipline, and timely playmaking. That group will be tested immediately by an Oklahoma team eager to rebound from a disappointing 6–7 campaign that ended with a loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl. Despite last year’s struggles, the Sooners remain a formidable FBS opponent, with transfers John Mateer and Jaydn Ott joining the team in the offseason.

Saturday’s clash offers both a challenge and an opportunity for the Redbirds — a chance to measure themselves against elite competition and showcase their growth on a national platform. With a veteran core and strong team identity, Illinois State enters 2025 prepared to compete from day one.

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