Illinois State Redbirds
Overall Rank: #11
#4 Missouri Valley
After a two year absence, Illinois State returned to the FCS Playoffs in 2019. The Redbirds are consistently right in the playoff picture under Coach Brock Spack, but last year was more reminiscent of their teams in 2014 and 2015 that made deep playoff runs and competed for an MVFC title. There are some big names to replace heading into a potential 2021 spring season, but Illinois State has the depth and talent to be one of the best teams in the conference.
2019 Record: 10-5, 5-3
2019 Postseason: FCS Playoffs
Coach: Brock Spack (84-50 at Illinois State, 84-50 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Kurt Beathard
Defensive Coordinator: Travis Niekamp
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Jeff Proctor, RB, 476 yards
Passing: Brady Davis, QB, 1,570 yards
Receiving: Kacper Rutiewicz, WR, 429 yards
Tackles: Dylan Draka, LB, 88
Sacks: Romeo McKnight, DE, 12.0
Interceptions: Devin Taylor, DB, 5
Other Key Returnees: WR Andrew Edgar, OL Drew Himmelman, DB Christian Uphoff, LB Zeke Vandenburgh, DB Charles Woods, DL John Ridgeway
Key Losses: RB James Robinson, WR Braxton Haley, DB Luther Kirk, LB Ty DeForest, LB Tuvone Clark, DL Steve Podkulski, K Sam Fenlason
Projected Postseason: FCS Playoffs
2019 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 182.2 (104th in nation, 7th in conference)
Passing Offense: 117.8 (118, 10)
Total Offense: 300.0 (110, 8)
Scoring Offense: 19.8 (104, 7)
Rushing Defense: 116.7 (14, 2)
Pass Defense: 186.8 (19, 5)
Total Defense: 303.5 (11, 4)
Scoring Defense: 16.0 (4, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.47 (29, 4)
Sacks: 3.47 (3, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 2.00 (51, 2)
Madness 2020 Recruit Rankings:
#44 Ben May
#130 TreShawn Watson
#228 L. Deontae-McCoy
#274 Hunter Zambrano
