Illinois States intrastate football matchup against Illinois, the first since 1944, was a made-for-television contest from the start and apparently officials at the Big Ten Conference thought so as well as the nonconference game was added to the leagues broadcast lineup Monday and will air locally on ESPN+.
The 11:10 a.m. kick-off between the Redbirds and the Illini solidifies the start times for Illinois States entire 12-game regular-season schedule, the first of its kind in the programs history.
Another predetermined television game is the Redbirds homecoming matchup against NCAA I-AA champion Western Kentucky. That game, which kicks-off at 2:30 p.m., will be part of the Gateway Football Conference television package.
With seven home games, the most ever on an Illinois State schedule, the Redbirds will open with a pair of 7 p.m., starts against Drake (August 28) and Truman State (September 13).
The Birds wont leave the state until October 25, with 10 games in Illinois, when they travel to Youngstown State for a 3 p.m. (CT) start.
Season ticket information is available from the Redbird Arena Ticket Office (309/438-8000).
