2025 Illinois State Redbirds football team

2025 Illinois State Redbirds football
NCAA Division I Football Championship Game,
L 34–35 OT vs. Montana State
ConferenceMissouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 2
FCS CoachesNo. 2
Record12–5 (5–3 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTony Petersen (4th season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorTravis Niekamp (8th season)
Base defense3–3–5
Captains
  • Dylan Calabrese
  • Tommy Rittenhouse
  • Tye Niekamp
Home stadiumHancock Stadium
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 4т North Dakota State $^   8 – 0     12 – 1  
No. 9 South Dakota ^   6 – 2     10 – 5  
No. 2 Illinois State ^   5 – 3     12 – 5  
No. 14 North Dakota ^   5 – 3     8 – 6  
No. 18 Youngstown State ^   5 – 3     8 – 5  
No. 13 South Dakota State ^   4 – 4     9 – 5  
No. 25 Southern Illinois   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Northern Iowa   1 – 7     3 – 9  
Murray State   1 – 7     1 – 11  
Indiana State   1 – 7     3 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Illinois State Redbirds football team represented Illinois State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by 17th-year head coach Brock Spack. The Redbirds played their home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.

Illinois State was an at-large selection into the playoff field and were unseeded; however, they defeated #17 (tie) ranked Southeastern Louisiana, #1 North Dakota State, #11 UC Davis and #9 Villanova, all away from home, to become the first FCS team to reach the championship game by defeating four consecutive road opponents.[1] The Redbirds appeared in their second FCS National Championship Game (first since 2015); they faced #2 Montana State in the title game, falling 34–35 in overtime.

Preseason

MVFC poll

Main article: 2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference season § Preseason

The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 21, 2025, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Redbirds were predicted to in finish fourth place within the ten-team conference.[2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 305:00 p.m.at No. 18 (FBS) Oklahoma*No. 6
SECN+/
ESPN+		L 3–3583,218
September 66:00 p.m.Morehead State*No. 7
ESPN+W 41–139,671
September 132:00 p.m.at Eastern Illinois*No. 7
ESPN+W 42–306,720
September 2012:00 p.m.North Alabama*No. 6
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+W 38–36 2OT11,287
October 46:00 p.m.No. 1 North Dakota StateNo. 6
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+L 16–339,829
October 116:00 p.m.at Murray StateNo. 9
ESPN+W 46–325,647
October 182:00 p.m.Youngstown StateNo. 10
Marquee/
ESPN+		L 35–409,834
October 251:00 p.m.at No. 21 South DakotaNo. 18
MidCo Sports/
ESPN+		W 21–136,333
November 12:00 p.m.Northern IowaNo. 17
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
Marquee/
ESPN+		W 31–167,756
November 812:00 p.m.at Indiana StateNo. 16
ESPN+W 52–203,522
November 152:00 p.m.at No. 16 South Dakota StateNo. 14
MidCo Sports/
ESPN+		W 35–2111,407
November 2212:00 p.m.No. 24 Southern IllinoisNo. 11
Marquee/
ESPN+		L 7–376,895
November 2912:00 p.m.at No. 17т (16) Southeastern Louisiana*No. 17т
ESPN+W 21–36,117
December 612:00 p.m.at No. 1 (1) North Dakota State*No. 17т
ESPN+W 29–2810,464
December 134:00 p.m.at No. 11 (8) UC Davis*No. 17т
ESPN+W 42–319,216
December 206:30 p.m.at No. 9 (12) Villanova*No. 17т
ESPN2W 30–144,133
January 5, 20266:30 p.m.vs. No. 2 (2) Montana State*No. 17т
ESPNL 34–35 OT24,105
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[3][4]

Game summaries

All times are Central time

at No. 18 (FBS) Oklahoma

See also: 2025 Oklahoma Sooners football team
No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (0–0) at No. 18 (FBS) Oklahoma Sooners (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 6 Redbirds 0 0 303
No. 18 (FBS) Sooners 7 14 01435

at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, OK

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 5:00 PM CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: E at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 83,218
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Tyoka Jackson (analyst), Madison Hock (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • OKL – Deion Burks 27–yard pass from Mateer (Sandell kick), 11:50. Sooners 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:08.
  • OKL - Tory Blaylock 5–yard rush (Sandell kick), 0:51. Sooners 21–0. Drive: 15 plays, 81 yards, 7:27.
Third quarter
  • ISU – Matt Maldonado 33–yard field goal, 6:26. Sooners 21–3. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:58.
Fourth quarter
  • OKL – Keontez Lewis 28–yard pass from Mateer (Sandell kick), 14:52. Sooners 28–3. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 6:34.
  • OKL – Lewis 20–yard pass from Mateer (Sandell kick). 4:33. Sooners 35–3. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:02.
Statistics ISU OKL
First downs 8 23
Total yards 151 495
Rushing yards 117 103
Passing yards 34 392
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 10–20–0 30–37–1
Time of possession 27:04 32:56
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 6/13, 22 yards
Rushing Wenkers Wright 7 carries, 50 yards
Receiving Eddie Kasper 1 reception, 10 yards
Oklahoma Passing John Mateer 30/37, 392 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Tory Blaylock 8 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Keontez Lewis 9 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD

Morehead State

See also: 2025 Morehead State Eagles football team
Morehead State Eagles (1–0) at No. 7 Illinois State Redbirds (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 6 0 0713
No. 7 Redbirds 3 14 101441

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: NW at 11 miles per hour (18 km/h)
  • Referee: Carl Chapman
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst), Genna Rose (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • MSU – Craig Cunningham 1–yard run (), 7:02. Eagles 6–0. Drive: 14 plays, 86 yards, 7:53.
  • ILS – Matt Maldonado 27–yard field goal, 1:58. Eagles 6–3. Drive: 11 plays, 33 yards, 3:25.
Second quarter
  • ILS – Daniel Sobkowicz 25–yard pass from Beckham Pellant (Maldonado kick), 11:53. Redbirds 10–6. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 02:52.
  • ILS – Tommy Rittenhouse 1–yard run (Maldonado kick), 6:47. Redbirds 17–6. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:03.
Third quarter
  • ILS – Maldonado 45–yard field goal, 8:20. Redbirds 20–6. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 2:12.
  • ILS – Luke Mailander 32–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 6:29. Redbirds 27–6. Drive: 3 plays, 29 yards, 1:11.
Fourth quarter
  • MSU – Montez Green 14–yard pass from Carter Cravens (Jordan Price kick), 13:28. Redbirds 27–13. Drive: 13 plays, 84 yards, 7:54.
  • ILS – Nick True 3–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 4:28. Redbirds 34–13. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 3:57.
  • ILS – Cam Wilson 27–yard fumble recovery (Maldonado kick), 4:05. Redbirds 41–13.
Statistics MSU ILS
First downs 20 21
Total yards 234 393
Rushing yards 100 223
Passing yards 134 170
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–28–1 13–23–1
Time of possession 35:26 24:34
Team Category Player Statistics
Morehead State Passing Carter Cravens 14/28, 134 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Isaac Stopke 13 carries, 86 yards
Receiving Ryan Upp 7 receptions, 69 yards
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 8/13, 81 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Victor Dawson 10 carries, 88 yards
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD

at Eastern Illinois (Mid-America Classic)

See also: 2025 Eastern Illinois Panthers football team and Mid-America Classic
No. 7 Illinois State Redbirds (1–1) at Eastern Illinois Panthers (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 7 Redbirds 7 14 71442
Panthers 0 10 02030

at O'Brien Field • Charleston, IL

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind: S at 12 miles per hour (19 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 6,720
  • Referee: Drew Myers
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Mike Bradd (play-by-play), Dave Kidwell (analyst), Kaylee Unruh (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ISU – Wenkers Wright 2–yard run (Matt Maldonado kick), 7:13. Redbirds 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 3:26.
Second quarter
  • ISU – Daniel Sobkowicz 10–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 13:49. Redbirds 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 3:58.
  • EIU – C J Nelson 75–yard pass from Connor Wolf (Drew Schiller kick), 13:30. Redbirds 14–7. Drive: 1 plays, 75 yards, 0:13.
  • EIU – Schiller 43–yard field goal, 0:42. Redbirds 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 2:40.
  • ISU – Luke Mailander 46–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 0:08. Redbirds 21–10. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 0:34.
Third quarter
  • ISU – Wright 18–yard run (Maldonado kick), 7:21. Redbirds 28–10. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:37.
Fourth quarter
  • EIU – Cooper Willman 18–yard pass from Wolf (Schiller kick), 11:43. Redbirds 28–17. Drive: 7 plays, 92 yards, 2:58.
  • EIU – Nelson 51–yard pass from Wolf (), 8:30. Redbirds 28–23. Drive: 3 plays, 74 yards, 1:20.
  • ISU – Wright 16–yard run (Maldonado kick), 6:21. Redbirds 35–23. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 2:00.
  • ISU – Sobkowicz 22–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 3:14. Redbirds 42–23. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 2:32.
  • EIU – DeAirious Smith 9–yard pass from Wolf (Schiller kick), 1:47. Redbirds 42–30. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:27.
Statistics ISU EIU
First downs 24 20
Total yards 485 446
Rushing yards 186 35
Passing yards 299 411
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–35–0 28–44–2
Time of possession 30:30 29:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 24/35, 299 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Wenkers Wright 14 carries, 94 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Luke Mailander 5 receptions, 109 yards, 1 TD
Eastern Illinois Passing Connor Wolf 28/43, 411 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Charles Kellom 15 carries, 22 yards
Receiving C J Nelson 7 receptions, 194 yards, 2 TD

North Alabama

See also: 2025 North Alabama Lions football team
North Alabama Lions (1–2) at No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (2–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OT2OTTotal
Lions 0 7 7133636
No. 6 Redbirds 3 14 733838

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: S at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 11,287
  • Referee: John Shay
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst), Kalia Butler (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ILS – Matt Maldonado 42–yard field goal, 5:18. Redbirds 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 1:50..
Second quarter
  • ILS – Wenkers Wright 38–yard run (Maldonado kick), 14:21. Redbirds 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:00.
  • ILS – Luke Mailander 10–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 9:42. Redbirds 17–0. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:05.
  • UNA – Noah Gregg 10–yard pass from Ari Patu (Ian Vachon kick), 0:09. Redbirds 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 0:22.
Third quarter
  • UNA – Jayvian Allen 1–yard run (Vachon kick), 9:24. Redbirds 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:08.
  • ILS – Daniel Sobkowicz 6–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 1:54. Redbirds 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 2:52.
Fourth quarter
  • UNA – Justin Pegues 39–yard pass from Patu (Vachon kick), 5:54. Redbirds 24–21. Drive: 13 plays, 90 yards, 5:26.
  • ILS – Maldonado 51–yard field goal, 2:36. Redbirds 27–21. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 3:06.
  • UNA – K J Fields 25–yard pass from Patu (), 0:33. Tied 27–27. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:03.
Overtime
  • UNA – Vachon 42–yard field goal. Lions 30–27. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yards.
  • ILS – Maldonado 38–yard field goal. Tied 30–30. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards.
Second overtime
  • ILS – Sobkowicz 25–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Sobkowicz pass from Rittenhouse). Redbirds 38–30. Drive: 1 play, 25 yards.
  • UNA – Pegues 18–yard pass from Patu (). Redbirds 38–36. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards.
Statistics UNA ILS
First downs 24 29
Total yards 409 506
Rushing yards 144 217
Passing yards 265 289
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 22–37–1 21–37–0
Time of possession 30:30 29:30
Team Category Player Statistics
North Alabama Passing Ari Patu 17/31, 243 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Ari Patu 14 carries, 60 yards
Receiving K J Fields 7 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 20/36, 250 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Tommy Rittenhouse 9 carries, 89 yards
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 10 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD

No. 1 North Dakota State

See also: 2025 North Dakota State Bison football team
No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (4–0) at No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison 7 8 31533
No. 6 Redbirds 2 7 7016

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Wind: N at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 9,829
  • Referee: Jason Berg
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Greg Halbleib (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ILS – Tye Niekamp 0–yard safety, 9:35. Redbirds 2–0.
  • NDS – Cole Payton 13–yard run (Eli Ozick kick), 2:50. Bison 7–2. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:53.
Second quarter
  • ILS – Wenkers Wright 6–yard run (Matt Maldonado kick), 11:37. Redbirds 9–7. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 6:13.
  • NDS – Barika Kpeenu 42–yard run (Payton rush), 4:56. Bison 15–9. Drive: 3 plays, 68 yards, 1:25.
Third quarter
  • NDS – Ozick 38–yard field goal, 8:15. Bison 18–9. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 6:38.
  • ILS – Daniel Sobkowicz 3–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 3:06. Bison 18–16. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:09.
Fourth quarter
  • NDS – Bryce Lance 23–yard pass from Payton, (Ozick kick), 13:14. Bison 25–16. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 4:45.
  • NDS – D J Scott 5–yard run, (Payton rush), 8:21. Bison 33–16. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:51.
Statistics NDS ILS
First downs 21 22
Total yards 407 328
Rushing yards 213 137
Passing yards 194 191
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–14–0 20–35–1
Time of possession 29:38 30:22
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 12/14, 194 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 14 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jackson Williams 3 receptions, 71 yards
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 20/35, 191 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Victor Dawson 11 carries, 68 yards
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 7 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

at Murray State

See also: 2025 Murray State Racers football team
No. 9 Illinois State Redbirds (3–2) at Murray State Racers (0–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 9 Redbirds 21 10 12346
Racers 3 14 7832

at Roy Stewart Stadium • Murray, KY

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • Game weather: • Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: NE at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 5,647
  • Referee: Gregory Gompf
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Casey Roehl (play-by-play), Drayton Charlton-Perrin (analyst)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ILS – Daniel Sobkowicz 2–yard run (Matt Maldonado kick), 10:16. Redbirds 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 3:45.
  • ILS – Dylan Lord 4–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 3:44. Redbirds 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 3:10.
  • MUR – Jack Tannehill 41–yard field goal, 0:45. Redbirds 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 2:52.
  • ILS – Victor Dawson 12–yard run (Maldonado kick), 0:27. Redbirds 21–3. Drive: 1 plays, 12 yards, 0:06
Second quarter
  • ILS – Seth Glatz 52–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 12:06. Redbirds 28–3. Drive: 2 plays, 51 yards, 0:40.
  • MUR – Jordan Washington 6–yard run (Tannehill kick), 5:37. Redbirds 28–10. Drive: 15 plays, 77 yards, 6:24.
  • MUR – Jim Ogle 1–yard run (Tannehill kick), 0:34. Redbirds 28–17. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 2:57.
  • ILS – Maldonado 37–yard field goal, 0:00. Redbirds 31–17. Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 0:34.
Third quarter
  • ILS – Javon Charles 19–yard pass from Rittenhouse (), 11:46. Redbirds 37–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:14.
  • MUR – Ogle 4–yard run (Tannehill kick), 8:09. Redbirds 37–24. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 3:32.
  • ILS – Sobkowicz 24–yard pass from Rittenhouse (), 3:23. Redbirds 43–24. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 4:40.
Fourth quarter
  • MUR – Jawaun Northington 5–yard pass from Ogle (Darius Cannon pass from Ogle), 14:55. Redbirds 43–32. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 3:16.
  • ILS – Maldonado 26–yard field goal, 3:25. Redbirds 46–32. Drive: 19 plays, 88 yards, 9:57.
Statistics ILS MUR
First downs 31 26
Total yards 510 471
Rushing yards 172 170
Passing yards 338 301
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–25–0 24–40–1
Time of possession 30:57 29:03
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 21/25, 338 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Victor Dawson 10 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 8 receptions, 162 yards, 1 TD
Murray State Passing Jim Ogle 23/39, 283 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jawaun Northington 15 carries, 71 yards
Receiving Lucas Desjardins 8 receptions, 95 yards

Youngstown State (Homecoming)

See also: 2025 Youngstown State Penguins football team and Homecoming
Youngstown State Penguins (3–3) at No. 10 Illinois State Redbirds (4–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Penguins 6 6 72140
No. 10 Redbirds 0 14 14735

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: SW at 15 miles per hour (24 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 9,834
  • Referee: David Hergert
  • TV announcers (Marquee/ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst), Kacy Standohar (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • YSU – Andrew Lastovka 32–yard field goal, 9:37. Penguins 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 5:16.
  • YSU – Lastovka 23–yard field goal, 4:40. Penguins 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 30 yards, 4:16.
Second quarter
  • YSU – Beau Brungard 2–yard run (), 8:49. Penguins 12–0. Drive: 13 plays, 92 yards, 7:27.
  • ILS – Javon Charles 13–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado kick), 6:45. Penguins 12–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:04.
  • ILS – Wenkers Wright 12–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 0:31. Redbirds 14–12. Drive: 3 plays, 39 yards, 0:18.
Third quarter
  • ILS – Eddie Kasper 37–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 14:43. Redbirds 21–12. Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:08.
  • YSU – Mike Solomon 36–yard pass from Brungard (Lastovka kick), 10:41. Redbirds 21–19. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:02.
  • ILS – Luke Mailander 18–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 2:43. Redbirds 28–19. Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards, 1:35.
Fourth quarter
  • YSU – Brungard 1–yard run (Lastovka kick), 11:52. Redbirds 28–26. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 5:45.
  • YSU – Fresh Walter 53–yard pass from Brungard (Lastovka kick), 8:06. Penguins 33–28. Drive: 5 plays, 79 yards, 1:56.
  • YSU – Brungard 48–yard run (Lastovka kick), 5:51. Penguins 40–28. Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:53.
  • ILS – Wright 3–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 3:12. Penguins 40–35. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 2:39.
Statistics YSU ILS
First downs 27 23
Total yards 561 348
Rushing yards 233 142
Passing yards 328 206
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23–34–1 16–30–2
Time of possession 39:15 20:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Youngstown State Passing Beau Brungard 23/34, 328 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Beau Brungard 30 carries, 200 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Ethan Wright 4 receptions, 86 yards
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 16/29, 206 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Tommy Rittenhouse 10 carries, 65 yards
Receiving Luke Mailander 4 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD

at No. 21 South Dakota

See also: 2025 South Dakota Coyotes football team
No. 18 Illinois State Redbirds (4–3) at No. 21 South Dakota Coyotes (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 18 Redbirds 0 14 7021
No. 21 Coyotes 3 7 0313

at DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,333
  • Referee: Jason Perkins
  • TV announcers (MidCo Sports/ESPN+): Jay Eisen (play-by-play), Andre Fields (analyst)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • USD – Will Leyland 37–yard field goal, 8:47. Coyotes 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:02

Second quarter

  • ISU – Scotty Presson Jr 11–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado kick), 10:45. Redbirds 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 4:42
  • USD – Jesse Miller 11–yard pass from Aidan Bouman (Leyland kick), 2:23. Coyotes 10–7. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 8:16
  • ISU – Rittenhouse 6–yard run (Maldonado kick), 0:30. Redbirds 14–10. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 1:53

Third quarter

  • ISU – Presson Jr 2–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 1:22. Redbirds 21–10. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:15.

Fourth quarter

  • USD – Leyland 42–yard field goal, 3:38. Redbirds 21–13. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 6:08.
Statistics ISU USD
First downs 18 22
Total yards 300 369
Rushing yards 130 196
Passing yards 170 173
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–28–0 21–39–0
Time of possession 23:19 36:41
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 18/27, 141 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Seth Glatz 5 carries, 35 yards
Receiving Dylan Lord 8 receptions, 82 yards
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 21/38, 173 yards, 1 TD
Rushing L J Phillips Jr 26 carries, 129 yards
Receiving Larenzo Fenner 4 receptions, 65 yards

Northern Iowa

See also: 2025 Northern Iowa Panthers football team
Northern Iowa Panthers (2–6) at No. 17 Illinois State Redbirds (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 3 7616
No. 17 Redbirds 14 7 7331

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 50 °F (10 °C) • Wind: W at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 7,756
  • Referee: Tyler Downs
  • TV announcers (Marquee/ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Zack Annexstad (analyst), Kalia Butler (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ILS – Tommy Rittenhouse 4–yard run (Matt Maldonado kick), 4:59. Redbirds 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 4:50.
  • ILS – Seth Glatz 2–yard run (Maldonado kick), 1:31. Redbirds 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 1:20.

Second quarter

  • ILS – Javon Charles 19–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 7:20. Redbirds 21–0. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:30.
  • UNI – Max Bartachek 28–yard field goal, 0:24. Redbirds 21–3. 15 plays, 65 yards, 6:56.

Third quarter

  • UNI – Harrison Bey–Buie 2–yard run (Bartachek kick), 9:11. Redbirds 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:20.
  • ILS – Victor Dawson 9–yard run (Maldonado kick), 4:30. Redbirds 28–10. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:41.

Fourth quarter

  • UNI – J C Roque Jr 41–yard pass from Jaxon Dailey (), 14:47. Redbirds 28–16. Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards, 4:37.
  • ILS – Maldonado 32–yard field goal, 1:53. Redbirds 31–16. Drive: 14 plays, 44 yards, 6:49.
Statistics UNI ILS
First downs 16 25
Total yards 240 430
Rushing yards 98 202
Passing yards 142 228
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–23–2 28–37–0
Time of possession 28:32 31:28
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Iowa Passing Jaxon Dailey 15/23, 142 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Jaxon Dailey 16 carries, 40 yards
Receiving J C Roque Jr 5 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 28/37, 228 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Victor Dawson 17 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Luke Mailander 4 receptions, 72 yards

at Indiana State

See also: 2025 Indiana State Sycamores football team
No. 16 Illinois State Redbirds (6–3) at Indiana State Sycamores (3–6) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 16 Redbirds 7 28 17052
Sycamores 7 7 6020

at Memorial Stadium • Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 12:00 PM CST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Wind: NW at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 3,202
  • Referee: Carl Chapman
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Joey O'Rourke (play-by-play), Jim Leisure (analyst), Piper Watkins (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ILS – Max Ziebarth 2–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado kick), 6:13. Redbirds 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 4:47.
  • INS – Talan White 25–yard pass from Keegan Patterson (Sebastian Lopez kick), 2:01. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 1:41.

Second quarter

  • ILS – Victor Dawson 6–yard run (Maldonado kick), 13:55. Redbirds 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:06.
  • INS – Rashad Rochelle 64–yard pass from Patterson (Lopez kick), 10:52. Tied 14–14. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:03.
  • ILS – Dylan Lord 3–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 6:57. Redbirds 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 3:54.
  • ILS – Seth Glatz 20–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 1:39. Redbirds 28–14. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:54.
  • ILS – Rittenhouse 4–yard run (Maldonado kick), 0:22. Redbirds 35–14. Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 0:31.

Third quarter

  • ILS – Daniel Sobkowicz 12–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 10:18. Redbirds 42–14. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 2:56.
  • ILS – Glatz 2–yard run (Maldonado kick), 7:28. Redbirds 49–14. Drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 2:39.
  • INS – Deion Brown 33–yard run (), 5:20. Redbirds 49–20. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:08.
  • ILS – Maldonado 49–yard field goal, 1:01. Redbirds 52–20. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:14.
Statistics ILS INS
First downs 33 12
Total yards 555 272
Rushing yards 241 68
Passing yards 314 204
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 29–34–0 17–28–2
Time of possession 40:42 19:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 29/34, 314 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Victor Dawson 21 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Dylan Lord 8 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
Indiana State Passing Keegan Patterson 16/26, 202 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Deion Brown 7 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Rashad Rochelle 6 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD

at No. 16 South Dakota State

See also: 2025 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team
No. 14 Illinois State Redbirds (7–3) at No. 16 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (7–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Redbirds 28 7 0035
No. 16 Jackrabbits 0 13 0821

at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 52 °F (11 °C) • Wind: N at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 11,407
  • Referee: Grant Henderson
  • TV announcers (MidCo Sports/ESPN+): Tyler Merriam (play-by-play), Mason Lieseth (analyst)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ILS – Daniel Sobkowicz 10–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado kick), 13:05. Redbirds 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 1:46.
  • ILS – Patrick Bauer 5–yard interception return (Maldonado kick), 12:03. Redbirds 14–0.
  • ILS – Sobkowicz 2–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 10:29. Redbirds 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 1:33.
  • ILS – Rittenhouse 2–yard run (Maldonado kick), 6:26. Redbirds 28–0. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 2:37.

Second quarter

  • ILS – Sobkowicz 9–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 10:15. Redbirds 35–0. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:49.
  • SDS – Jack Henry 14–yard run (Eli Stader kick), 5:03. Redbirds 35–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:12.
  • SDS – Brayden Delahoyde 4–yard pass from Henry (), 0:25. Redbirds 35–13. Drive: 15 plays, 96 yards, 2:00.

Fourth quarter

  • SDS – Josiah Johnson 2–yard run (Greyton Gannon pass from Henry), 14:37. Redbirds 35–21. Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 6:01.
Statistics ILS SDS
First downs 20 22
Total yards 275 320
Rushing yards 134 66
Passing yards 141 254
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 17–33–0 32–51–2
Time of possession 28:56 31:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 17/32, 141 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Victor Dawson 20 carries, 98 yards
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 5 receptions, 55 yards, 3 TD
South Dakota State Passing Jack Henry 32/51, 254 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Jack Henry 18 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Alex Bullock 9 receptions, 68 yards

No. 24 Southern Illinois (Senior Day)

See also: 2025 Southern Illinois Salukis football team
No. 24 Southern Illinois Salukis (6–5) at No. 11 Illinois State Redbirds (8–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 24 Salukis 7 10 31737
No. 11 Redbirds 7 0 007

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 50 °F (10 °C) • Wind: SW at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 6,895
  • Referee: John Shay
  • TV announcers (Marquee/ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Zack Annexstad (analyst), Kacy Standohar (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • SIU – D J Williams 12–yard run (Paul Geelen kick), 8:42. Salukis 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 6:11
  • ILS – Tommy Rittenhouse 1–yard run (Matt Maldonado kick), 4:43. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:59.

Second quarter

  • SIU – Williams 1–yard run (Geelen kick), 14:56. Salukis 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 3:49
  • SIU – Geelen 32–yard field goal, 0:29. Salukis 17–7. 10 plays, 63 yards, 4:23.

Third quarter

  • SIU – Geelen 36–yard field goal, 5:07. Salukis 20–7. 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:44.

Fourth quarter

  • SIU – Williams 3–yard run (Geelen kick), 12:08. Salukis 27–7. Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 6:53
  • SIU – Geelen 48–yard field goal, 6:25. Salukis 30–7. 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:43.
  • SIU – Williams 42–yard run (Geelen kick), 4:22. Salukis 37–7. Drive: 2 plays, 42 yards, 0:14
Statistics SIU ILS
First downs 22 12
Total yards 455 217
Rushing yards 296 73
Passing yards 159 144
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–31–0 15–27–2
Time of possession 36:53 23:07
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing D J Williams 18/30, 159 yards
Rushing Eddie Robinson 19 carries, 145 yards
Receiving Jay Jones 4 receptions, 60 yards
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 12/22, 134 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Victor Dawson 14 carries, 25 yards
Receiving Dylan Lord 4 receptions, 67 yards

NCAA Division I playoffs

See also: 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season § NCAA Division I playoff bracket

at No. 17т (16) Southeastern Louisiana (first round)

See also: 2025 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team
No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (8–4) at No. 17т (16) Southeastern Louisiana Lions (9–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17т Redbirds 7 0 7721
No. 17т (16) Lions 0 3 003

at Strawberry Stadium • Hammond, LA

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 67 °F (19 °C) • Wind: SE at 13 miles per hour (21 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 3,321
  • Referee: Jeff Pumphrey
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jack Benjamin (play-by-play), Forrest Conoly (analyst)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ISU – Tommy Rittenhouse 6–yard run (Matt Maldonado kick), 12:46. Redbirds 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:07.

Second quarter

  • SLU – Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez 40–yard field goal, 14:55. Redbirds 7–3. Drive: 16 plays, 69 yards, 7:22.

Third quarter

  • ISU – Daniel Sobkowicz 1–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 8:48. Redbirds 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 37 yards, 4:33.

Fourth quarter

  • ISU – Seth Glatz 1–yard run (Maldonado kick), 2:30. Redbirds 21–3. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 2:28.
Statistics ISU SLU
First downs 17 18
Total yards 292 321
Rushing yards 145 107
Passing yards 147 214
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–23–0 24–39–4
Time of possession 28:21 31:39
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 14/22, 146 yards
Rushing Victor Dawson 11 carries, 72 yards
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 8 receptions, 89 yards
Southeastern Louisiana Passing Carson Camp 14/21, 120 yards, 3 INT
Rushing Jaedon Henry 8 carries, 45 yards
Receiving Jaylon Domingeaux 6 receptions, 78 yards

at No. 1 (1) North Dakota State (second round)

See also: 2025 North Dakota State Bison football team
No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (9–4) at No. 1 (1) North Dakota State Bison (12–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17т Redbirds 0 14 01529
No. 1 (1) Bison 14 7 0728

at Fargodome • Fargo, ND

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors • Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 10,464
  • Referee: Gregg Wilson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play), Charles Arbuckle (commentator)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • NDS – Bryce Lance 78–yard pass from Cole Payton (Eli Ozick kick), 12:39. Bison 7–0. Drive: 1 plays, 78 yards, 0:11.
  • NDS – Jackson Williams 52–yard punt return (Ozick kick), 4:40. Bison 14–0.

Second quarter

  • ILS – Victor Dawson 69–yard run (Matt Maldonado kick), 11:21. Bison 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 86 yards, 2:27.
  • NDS – Nathaniel Staehling 73–yard interception return (Ozick kick), 4:40. Bison 21–7.
  • ILS – Daniel Sobkowicz 8–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 0:50. Bison 21–14. Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 7:14.

Fourth quarter

  • NDS – Barika Kpeenu 4–yard run (Ozick kick), 12:38. Bison 28–14. Drive: 1 plays, 4 yards, 0:04.
  • ILS – Sobkowicz 8–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 2:44. Bison 28–21. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 1:51.
  • ILS – Sobkowicz 6–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Scotty Presson Jr pass from Rittenhouse), 1:00. Redbirds 29–28. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 0:51.
Statistics ILS NDS
First downs 23 6
Total yards 422 179
Rushing yards 173 59
Passing yards 249 120
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 35–52–5 6–19–0
Time of possession 42:01 17:59
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 35/52, 249 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT
Rushing Victor Dawson 23 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 8 receptions, 67 yards, 3 TD
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 4/12, 101 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 16 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 1 reception, 78 yards, 1 TD

at No. 11 (8) UC Davis (quarterfinal round)

See also: 2025 UC Davis Aggies football team
No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (10–4) at No. 11 (8) UC Davis Aggies (9–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17т Redbirds 21 0 14742
No. 11 (8) Aggies 17 0 01431

at UC Davis Health Stadium • Davis, CA

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 4:00 PM
  • Game weather: Fog • Temperature: 41 °F (5 °C) • Wind: NE at 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 9,216
  • Referee: James Brookhart
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Ted Emrich (play-by-play), Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • UCD – Hunter Ridley 35–yard field goal, 13:42. Aggies 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 1:18.
  • ISU – Chris Taylor 91–yard kickoff return (Matt Maldonado kick), 13:30. Redbirds 7–3.
  • UCD – Jordan Fisher 23–yard run (Ridley kick), 11:34. Aggies 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:568.
  • ISU – Dylan Lord 37–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 8:49. Redbirds 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:38.
  • ISU – Daniel Sobkowicz 93–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 4:21. Redbirds 21–10. Drive: 1 plays, 93 yards, 0:13.
  • UCD – Stacy Dobbins 12–yard pass from Caden Pinnick (Ridley kick), 1:44. Redbirds 21–17. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 2:30.

Third quarter

  • ISU – Seth Glatz 1-yard run (Maldonado kick), 9:48. Redbirds 28-17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:12.
  • ISU – Sobkowicz 17–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Maldonado kick), 2:06. Redbirds 35–17. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:50.

Fourth quarter

  • ISU – Glatz 58-yard run (Maldonado kick), 3:35. Redbirds 42-17. Drive: 10 plays, 94 yards, 5:59.
  • UCD – Fisher 1–yard pass from Pinnick (), 2:11. Redbirds 42–23. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards, 1:13.
  • UCD – Dobbins 24–yard pass from Pinnick (Fisher pass from Pinnick), 0:47. Redbirds 42–31. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 1:21.
Statistics ISU UCD
First downs 26 24
Total yards 532 533
Rushing yards 266 131
Passing yards 266 402
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–21–1 29–41–1
Time of possession 35:45 24:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 15/20, 266 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Victor Dawson 29 carries, 148 yards
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 6 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD
UC Davis Passing Caden Pinnick 29/41, 402 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jordan Fisher 13 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Stacy Dobbins 10 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TD

at No. 9 (12) Villanova (semifinal round)

See also: 2025 Villanova Wildcats football team
No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (11–4) at No. 9 (12) Villanova Wildcats (12–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17т Redbirds 7 14 6330
No. 9 (12) Wildcats 0 6 0814

at Villanova Stadium • Villanova, PA

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 6:30 PM
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 31 °F (−1 °C) • Wind: S at 14 miles per hour (23 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 4,133
  • Referee: Zachary Erdmann
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Lowell Galindo (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), Lauren Sisler (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • IST – Daniel Sobkowicz 53–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Michael Cosentino kick), 2:36. Redbirds 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:58.

Second quarter

  • VIL – Jack Barnum 23–yard field goal, 14:56. Redbirds 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 2:36.
  • IST – Victor Dawson 1–yard run (Cosentino kick), 8:43. Redbirds 14-3. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 6:13.
  • VIL – Barnum 35–yard field goal, 4:51. Redbirds 14–6. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 3:48.
  • IST – Sobkowicz 8–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Cosentino kick), 3:49. Redbirds 21–6. Drive: 3 plays, 76 yards, 0:57.

Third quarter

  • IST – Cosentino 35–yard field goal, 11:03. Redbirds 24–6. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:52.
  • IST – Cosentino 29–yard field goal, 0:02. Redbirds 27–6. Drive: 16 plays, 57 yards, 8:21.

Fourth quarter

  • IST – Cosentino 30–yard field goal, 5:10. Redbirds 30–6. Drive: 13 plays, 53 yards, 7:53.
  • VIL – Antonio Johnson 16–yard pass from Pat McQuaide (Braden Reed pass from McQuaide), 3:18. Redbirds 30–14. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 1:48.
Statistics IST VIL
First downs 26 15
Total yards 426 300
Rushing yards 175 101
Passing yards 251 100
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–38–1 13–30–1
Time of possession 39:43 20:17
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 18/38, 251 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Victor Dawson 34 carries, 155 yards
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 7 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD
Villanova Passing Pat McQuaide 13/30, 199 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Ja'briel Mace 11 carries, 59 yards
Receiving Luke Colella 4 receptions, 58 yards

vs. No. 2 (2) Montana State (final round)

See also: 2025 Montana State Bobcats football team
No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (12–4) vs. No. 2 (2) Montana State Bobcats (13–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
No. 17т Redbirds 0 7 714634
No. 2 (2) Bobcats 7 14 70735

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, TN

  • Date: January 5, 2026
  • Game time: 6:30 PM
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 57 °F (14 °C) • Wind: S at 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 24,105
  • Referee: James Brookhart
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline), Matt Austin (rules analyst)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • MSU – Lamson 2–yard run (Sansted kick), 10:49. Bobcats 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:26.
  • ISU – Scotty Presson Jr 6–yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Michael Cosentino kick), 0:54. Bobcats 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:23
  • MSU – Dane Steel 33–yard pass from Lamson (Sansted kick), 0:18. Bobcats 21–7. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:36.
Third quarter
  • ISU – Logan Brasfield 0–yard run (Cosentino kick), 5:32. Bobcats 21–14. Drive: 17 plays, 85 yards, 7:32.
  • MSU – Taco Dowler 22–yard run (Sansted kick), 3:18. Bobcats 28–14. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 2:08.
Fourth quarter
  • ISU – Daniel Sobkowicz 4–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Cosentino kick), 10:13. Bobcats 28–21. Drive: 15 plays, 81 yards, 8:01.
  • ISU – Dylan Lord 25–yard pass from Rittenhouse (Cosentino kick), 5:10. Tied 28–28. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 3:52.
Overtime
  • ISU – Lord 10–yard pass from Rittenhouse (). Redbirds 34–28. Drive: 2 plays, 25 yards.
  • MSU – Dowler 14–yard pass from Lamson (Sansted kick). Bobcats 35–34. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.
Statistics ISU MSU
First downs 33 20
Total yards 471 381
Rushing yards 160 101
Passing yards 311 280
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 33–46–0 18–27–0
Time of possession 39:41 20:19
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 33/46, 311 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Victor Dawson 29 carries, 126 yards
Receiving Dylan Lord 13 receptions, 161 yards, 2 TD
Montana State Passing Justin Lamson 18/27, 280 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Adam Jones 5 carries, 46 yards
Receiving Taco Dowler 8 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD

Rankings

Main article: 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
т = Tied with team above or below
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
STATS FCS677676910181716141117т2
Coaches6744561092018171311т172

References

  1. ^ "First playoff Brawl of the Wild headlines FCS semifinal showdowns". ESPN.com. December 19, 2025.
  2. ^ "Missouri Valley Football Announces predicted order of finish". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  3. ^ "2025 Football Schedule". goredbirds.com. Illinois State Athletics. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  4. ^ "2025 Illinois State Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. FBSchedules. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
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