Nov. 19, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
For the first time since 1999 and only the third time in school history, the Illinois State football team will compete in the Division I Football Championship after receiving an at-large bid on Sunday into the 16-team field. The Redbirds (8-3) will face Eastern Illinois (8-4) in Charleston, Ill., at O'Brien Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off has been scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Redbirds and the Panthers faced each other in week three, when ISU handed Eastern Illinois a 44-30 loss at Hancock Stadium on Sept. 12. The playoff match-up will add another chapter to the oldest rivalry in the state of Illinois. ISU and EIU have faced each other 94 times, with Illinois State owning a 48-37-9 edge in the series, including winners in the last four meetings.
With a victory over the Panthers, the Redbirds would face the winner of Youngstown State and James Madison in the second round. Other teams in the ISU bracket include Furman, Montana State, Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State.
Fan buses will be available and more information will be released on Monday.
