Redbirds set for their last regular season home Game
Written by WZND Newsroom on November 15, 2019
NORMAL – Redbird Football will be looking to send the Seniors out on a high note in their final game at Hancock Stadium.
After upsetting No. 4 SDSU last week, the No. 7 Illinois State Redbirds (7-3, 4-2 MVFC) look to make it two straight as they host the Missouri State Bears (1-8, 1-5 MVFC) on Senior Day.
“They’re a great group of guys,” said Head Coach Brock Spack. “They’ve done a good job of leading and we don’t have many of them, but the ones that are here have done a great job.”
With 7 wins on the season, a victory over MOSU could improve the Redbird’s chances of clinching a berth into FCS playoffs and a potential home game.
“Really wanna go out with a bang I guess and hopefully get this team in the postseason. All we’re focused on right now is the Missouri State Bears and us getting better.”
ISU isn’t hoping for a repeat of last season when the Bears beat the Redbirds after they came up with an upset win on the road: 2018 vs. Colorado State & 2019 vs. South Dakota State.
The Redbirds lead the all-time series 21-17-1. Scoring first could be a key for ISU as the team is 6-0 when they score first, and 7-0 when they put up 20+ points (avg. 22.6 ppg). The Redbirds also average 322.3 yard of total offense/game, which will prove to be a tough test for the Bears, as their defense allows 459.9 yards/game.
Offensive Players to Watch:
James Robinson (ISU): With 3,624 career rushing yards, the Senior is 78 yards away from passing Toby Davis for 2nd all-time in ISU rushing. Robinson currently ranks 7th in the FCS with 1079 rushing yards and 6th in the FCS with 15 touchdowns.
Peyton Huslig (MOSU): The Senior Quarterback is also setting records, as he is 29 yards away from 6,000 career passing yards. Through 9 games, Husling has also completed 56.8 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,877 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Defensive Players to Watch:
Devin Taylor (ISU): The second-year Hawkeye transfer has had a strong 2019 campaign for ISU. Taylor leads the Redbirds with 11 pass breakups and is tied for the FCS lead with 13 passes defended.
McNeece Egbim (MOSU): Despite a struggling Bears defense, the Senior Linebacker leads the MVFC with 9.2 tackles/game. He also leads the team with 83 tackles and has recorded 10+ tackles in 15 career games.
WZND will have a live broadcast of the game beginning Saturday morning at 11:50.
