The Illinois State Redbirds are making their first appearance in the postseason in five years as they face off against Southeast Missouri State in the first round of the 2024 FCS Playoffs at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Illinois State leads the series 8-3, with their last matchup in 2019 resulting in a 24-6 victory for the Redbirds.
Head coach Brock Spack has led Illinois State to six playoff appearances, with the team boasting a 10-8 all-time record in playoff games. The Redbirds have found success on the road this season, with a 5-1 record against FCS opponents away from home.
Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse has been instrumental in the Redbirds’ success during their five-game winning streak, completing 71% of his passes and averaging 251.4 yards passing per game. Running back Wenkers Wright has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season, leading the team with 1,035 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Freshman tailback Matt Lawson and sophomore middle linebacker Tye Niekamp have also made significant contributions to Illinois State’s success. Lawson rushed for a career-high 84 yards in a recent victory, while Niekamp was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against North Dakota.
The Redbirds are looking to continue their winning streak and advance in the playoffs as they face Southeast Missouri State in this exciting postseason matchup.
Source
Photo credit goredbirds.com