Redbirds Prepare for Salukis in Another Intrastate Matchup
Written by WZND Newsroom on September 23, 2021
Image courtesy of goredbirds.com
NORMAL Ill.- After a hard fought 31-24 victory last weekend over Eastern Illinois, the Illinois State football team looks to keep that momentum going this weekend against another in-state opponent, the Southern Illinois Salukis.
The Redbirds (2-1) head to Carbondale where they are set to take on the Salukis at 2 p.m. on Saturday. This will be the 83rd meeting between the two, with the Salukis leading the all-time series 41-38-3. The Redbirds have beat the Salukis in five of their last six meetings, including the last time the two met in 2019, where the Redbirds won 21-7.
The Salukis come into the game with a record of 2-1 and their only loss coming to Kansas State in week two. They currently sit ranked seventh in FCS after a dominant 55-3 win against Dayton last week. In the spring the Salukis had strong wins against No. 1 North Dakota State, No. 4 Northern Iowa and No. 3 Weber State.
The Redbirds are coming off a strong win against the Panthers last weekend. After losing quarter back Bryce Jefferson early in the game, the Redbirds dominated on the ground, recording 239 rushing yards. On the contrary they only threw for 54 yards, with freshman Jackson Waring throwing for 33 yards on 5 completions.
The defense showed up this weekend, helping the offense with a 95-yard pick six by Jarell Jackson. The Redbirds have recorded a defensive score in each of the 13 seasons that head coach Brock Spack has been there.
Defensive lineman Braydon Deming was named MVC defensive player of the week, wracking up 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and a big-time sack late in the game.
Coach Spack looks to add to his win total after becoming the winningest coach in school history with his 87th win.
The Redbirds complete their road trip against the Salukis before returning home for two big home games, their family weekend match against Missouri State on Oct. second, followed by their homecoming game on Oct. 16 against North Dakota State.
