NORMAL, Ill. – As the regular season approaches its conclusion, the Illinois State Redbirds have demonstrated remarkable performance, rising three spots to No. 11 in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll. This ranking follows their impressive 35-21 victory over No. 15 South Dakota State last weekend, where the Redbirds made a powerful statement by scoring 28 points in the first quarter. This win marks their continued presence in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll for an impressive 28 consecutive weeks.
In addition to their ranking in the Stats Perform poll, Illinois State has also secured a tie for No. 11 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll alongside Monmouth (N.J.). The Missouri Valley Football Conference is well represented this week, with seven teams featured in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll. North Dakota State leads the pack, capturing all 56 first-place votes. Other teams from the conference include North Dakota at No. 13, South Dakota at No. 16, Youngstown State at No. 18, South Dakota State at No. 22, and Southern Illinois at No. 24. The Redbirds have proven their mettle with wins over both South Dakota and South Dakota State, and they will seek to add a third victory when they host Southern Illinois.
This Saturday, the Redbirds will celebrate Senior Day while hosting the Salukis (6-5, 3-4 MVFC) at Jay and Lori Bergman Field at Hancock Stadium, with the kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. Fans are encouraged to stay connected through GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App for ticket information, updates, and merchandise. The Redbirds are looking forward to an exciting matchup, which could further solidify their season as they push for playoff contention.