In addition, ISU's 38 first-half points were more than the Salukis had given up in an entire game this season
What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been
After losing six consecutive Gateway games on the road, Illinois State finally got a much needed conference road win in Carbondale last week. ISU's last win on the road in a Gateway game came at Missouri State in 2003, but then went 0-5 on the road in 2004 and was defeated in this season's only other conference road game at Youngstown State. The 'Birds will have a chance to extend a conference road winning streak on Nov. 5 when the team travels to Missouri State.
Racking Up Yards on Offense
The Illinois State offense came to play against the Salukis, racking up 594 yards of total offense against one of the best defenses in the conference and the country. That performance was the ninth best performance in ISU history and the fourth best performance by the 'Birds in a Gateway game.
Back-To-Back Jacks
Today the Redbirds are looking for their second straight upset of a ranked team. Last weekend, the Redbirds rolled No. 1 Southern Illinois in Carbondale, 61-35. This week the 'Birds face No. 13 Northern Iowa. The last time the 'Birds knocked off back-to-back ranked opponents was in 2002. ISU defeated No. 25 Southern Illinois 35-14, before winning 31-20 at the nation's No. 17 team -- Northern Iowa.
What a Rush
Illinois State dismantled the conference's top rushing defense last Saturday at No. 1 Southern Illinois. The Redbird rushing attack registered 6.7 yards per carry during the 61-35 victory. The yards per carry average was the most by the ISU offense in a Gateway game since the 'Birds averaged 7.6 yards per attempt against the Salukis on Oct. 23, 1999.
Hawk Has His Eye on the Buchanan Award
Senior Brent Hawkins is wreaking havoc on opposing offenses again this season and he's receiving national attention because of it. The Godfrey, Ill., became the second Redbird to be named to the Buck Buchanan Watch List, an annual award presented by The Sports Network to the nation's top I-AA defensive player. He joins former ISU linebacker Boomer Grigsby and gives Illinois State representation on the watch list for the fourth straight season. On the year, Hawkins has a Gateway Football Conference best eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He also has the league's highest tackle total among defensive linemen with 40 stops, including 22 solo tackles.
Sharing the Glory
Seven games into the 2005 season, 16 different Redbirds have scored points for Illinois State. That number includes scores by five defensive players, nine offensive players and points from kickers Bobby Kelsey and Kevin Mazur.
The Dirty Dozen
To say that sophomore quarterback Luke Drone has responded well to his three interception fourth quarter at Youngstown State is a gross understatement. Since the end of the YSU game, Drone has only failed to complete 12 of his last 61 pass attempts. Drone's combined line in his last two games reads like this: 49-for-61 (.803), 569 yards and four touchdowns.
Designated Driver
Somebody tossed the Redbird offense the keys last night Saturday night at No. 1 Southern Illinois and ISU proceeded to drive all over McAndrew Stadium. In fact, the Redbirds scored on 10 of their first 11 offensive drives, which included three drives over 10 plays long and seven over 50 yards in length.
Four Score And ...
Senior running back Brian Thompson tied the Illinois State record for rushing touchdowns in a Gateway game. Thompson broke the plane of the end zone four times last Saturday night at No. 1 Southern Illinois, knotting him in a tie for Redbird top performances in a league game. Thompson's effort equaled four touchdown games by Sha-Ron Edwards, Aveion Cason and Toby Davis.
This Schedule is Rank
Today's game is the third of three straight games against ranked opponents, but Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa weren't just all ranked -- each was ranked in the Top 15. Over the years, the Redbirds have faced Top 25 teams in three successive weeks six other times. In fact, this is the fourth season in the last five, where the 'Birds have played at least three ranked foes, including 2001 and 2002 when ISU faced four straight ranked opponents.
Win 50, was Pretty Nifty
ISU head coach Denver Johnson will probably never forget his 50th head coaching victory. After all it occurred during the 61-35 rout of No. 1 Southern Illinois in Carbondale. Not only was the victory a precious Gateway Football Conference road win, but it occurred against the nation's top team and ended the Redbirds string of eight straight losses against ranked opponents.
A Season to Remember
Laurént Robinson's career at ISU is quickly becoming one of the best in the program's storied history, but his season statistics are also quickly moving him up the charts. Robinson has 49 catches for 776 yards and six touchdowns in 2005. His 49 grabs are tied for 10th best in a season at ISU, while his receiving yardage ranks eighth in Redbird history. He is currently No. 4 nationally in receiving yards per game (110.86) and No. 7 in catches per game (7.0).
Drone in the Zone
Sophomore quarterback Luke Drone is locked in and his numbers have been loaded. Through seven games, Drone has passed for 1,642 yards, which is just 107 yards shy of cracking ISU's top 10 for a season. At this pace, Drone will finish the year with 2,581 yards, which would rank second all-time at ISU. He currently ranks No. 2 in the conference for total offense with 250.86 yards per game and No. 23 nationally in passing efficiency (139.72).
The Defense can Score Too
Offenses usually get all the credit when it comes to putting points on the scoreboard, however the ISU defense is making a name for itself in the scoring category this season. The Redbird defense has scored five defensive touchdowns and recorded a safety, good for 32 points in seven games this season. These defensive scores can be closely linked to ISU's +0.86 turnover margin, a significant improvement from last season's -1.91, which ranked last in I-AA.
The Three-headed Monster
The ISU offense has unleashed a beast on opposing offenses this season in the form a three-headed running attack. Neither Brian Thompson, Pierre Rembert nor Rafael Rice will probably reach the 1,000-yard rushing plateau individually, but combined they have been wearing out defenses. The trio has totaled 1,258 yards rushing on the season to date, while averaging 4.9 yards per carry and scoring 16 touchdowns.
Pick-ing up the Slack
After having just six interceptions all of last season, the 2005 Redbirds have already eclipsed that mark with eight picks. Junior James Temple leads the team with three, while Ramon Barber is second with two and Kye Stewart, Garry Roberts and Jesse Caesar each have one apiece. The Redbirds are on pace to finish the season with 13 picks, which would be the team's best since 1999.
Death, Taxes and ...
Stafford Davis starting on the Illinois State offensive line are all guarantees in life. Davis, in his senior season, has started every game of his collegiate career -- 42 games. The preseason first team all-America "Mr. Everything," has added a little twist in 2005. Prior to the start of this season all of Davis' previous starts have come at the left guard position, but this season he has moved over to center.
Getting a T.O.
After seven games Illinois State has eclipsed its turnovers forced total from a season ago. In 2004, the Redbirds forced 14 miscues and this year the 'Birds have already collected eight interceptions and recovered 11 fumbles.
Kick them While They're Down
The Redbirds have not only been forcing a lot more turnovers in 2005, they are capitalizing off of them as well. On the season, the 'Birds have scored 73 points off their opponents mistakes, while the foes have tallied 16 points off of Redbird miscues. In each of the last two games, ISU has racked up 17 points off turnovers, while outscoring its opponents 34-3 in the two games combined.
Filling his Shoes Just Fine
To judge the effectiveness of a linebacker, a direct comparison to former Redbird tackling machine Boomer Grigsby is probably a decent measuring stick. After all, Grigsby owns the NCAA, Gateway Football Conference and Illinois State record for career tackles and claimed the league's defensive player of the year award an unprecedented three times during his career. That being the case, the conference's highest honor might be staying in Normal after all, with Illinois State junior Cameron Siskowic. Through seven games, Siskowic has 85 tackles, including 33 solo stops and 9.5 tackles for loss and also leads the Gateway in tackles, 23 ahead of his nearest competitor. Last season, after seven games, Grigsby had 98 tackles with 38 solos and 6.5 TFLs.
All This, Plus Brains
In addition to his numerous preseason first team all-America honors, senior center Stafford Davis was selected as one of the best and the brightest from the college gridiron when The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced on Oct. 4, that he was one of the 184 semi-finalists for the 2005 Draddy Trophy and was also named one of the candidates for the NFF 2005 National Scholar-Athlete Awards. The Draddy Trophy, which is also known as the "Academic" Heisman, recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. Davis is one of 44 nominees from Division I-AA and carries a 3.03 grade point average and is expected to graduate in December with a degree in business administration. Illinois State has had three previous players named to the National Scholar-Athlete Class including Adam Waugh (2001), Tim Achterberg (1995) and Jeff Hembrough (1981).
Hoffman, He's Our Guy
Senior punter Ryan Hoffman is one of the best in the business and that claim earned credibility when he was one of 40 punters named to the 2005 Ray Guy Award Watch List. The award, given to the top collegiate punter of the year, is presented by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. Hoffman is the only punter on the list from I-AA. The selection of the honor is based on three factors: total average; number of punts placed inside the opponent's 20-yard line and net average.
With a 42.1 yard average this season, Hoffman is on pace to claim the school record in career punting average with 42.2 yards per kick, which would also rank No. 3 in Gateway history.
Advancing Fumbles
Whether its luck or being in the right place at the right time, Jesse Caesar, Kye Stewart, Niall Campbell and James Temple have all managed to recover fumbles for touchdowns this season. Caesar's return came at the hands of Iowa State's Stevie Hicks, while Stewart and Campbell posted their touchdowns against OVC foes Eastern Illinois and Murray State respectively. Temple recorded his return against No. 3 Western Kentucky.
The Temple of Doom
Since taking over as strong safety in the Redbirds' 4-3 defense, James Temple has doomed opposing offenses. Through seven games, the junior is fifth on the squad with 41 tackles, including 26 solo stops. He also has a team high three interceptions and is tied for the team lead with four pass break ups. Against No. 3 Western Kentucky, Temple added the team's fourth fumble recovery for a touchdown, a 56-yard scamper.
Putting the 3 in 4-3
In order for a 4-3 defensive scheme to be successful, the three linebackers have to make tackles and contain the quarterback. ISU's three starting linebackers are doing just that, as Kye Stewart, Cameron Siskowic and Niall Campbell have combined for 191 tackles in seven games and rank as the top three tacklers for the Redbirds this season. The trio has also combined for 19 tackles for loss, three sacks and seven pass break ups. In addition, Siskowic and Stewart are the top two tacklers in the Gateway, with 85 and 62 total tackles, respectively.
Climbing the Ladder
Laurént Robinson continues to inch his way up the Illinois State career receiving yards and catches list. Robinson had a career-best 180 yards receiving on nine catches at No. 1 Southern Illinois. As a result, Robinson climbed to 1,600 receiving yards on his career, good for fourth on the ISU all-time receiving yards list. With 415 more yards, Robinson will take sole possession of third place surpassing Vito Golson. His 115 catches in his career also put him in a tie for third place on the all-time Redbird list for catches with Brian Brown.
The Legend of Laurent
Laurént Robinson continues to cement his place among the best Redbird wide receivers of all time. In addition to moving up on the career receiving yards and catches lists, Robinson is also moving up on the career touchdown receptions list. Robinson's 60-yard touchdown catch at No. 1 Southern Illinois gives him 16 for his career, good for fourth place on the all-time list. With two more TD catches, Robinson will pass Vito Golson for third place all-time.
This Guy Kye is Sly
Sophomore linebacker Kye Stewart has already snuck his way into the end zone twice this season. At Eastern Illinois, Stewart picked up a fumble and scampered 42 yards for the touchdown. Against Western Kentucky, Stewart picked off a pass and went 21 yards for the score. With the two touchdowns, Stewart becomes the first Redbird with more than one defensive touchdown in a season since Alfred Corbin returned two interceptions for points in 1999. At Southern Illinois, Stewart posted his second fumble recovery of the season and returned it 19 yards, which resulted in ISU's first touchdown of the game two plays later.
Men of Honor
The Redbird football team concluded the spring semester by reaching another milestone. The team placed 27 players on the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll, setting a new standard for the team. The Redbirds also compiled a 2.50 grade point average for the semester, which was the highest team GPA by the football team in over a decade.
40 Days and 40 Nights
Actually it is a little less than 42 days - that's how many straight 24-hour days a person would have to work to equal the 1,000 community service hours that the Illinois State football team put in last academic year. Typically, the goal for the entire athletic department is 1,000, but with 300 hours in the fall and another 700 in the spring the Redbird gridders put in 1,000 hours themselves.
Notable Newcomers
Since the Gateway began recognizing an all-newcomer team in 1994, over 40 Redbirds have been cited for achievement in their first season. In 2004, running back Brian Thompson and wide receiver Kevett Mickle added their names to the list. Based on the two-deep, some early candidates to watch this season include Pierre Rembert, Kevin Mazur, Tom Nelson and Rafael Rice.
