Illinois State's James Stevenson III and YSU's Marcus Mason both transferred to their current schools from Illinois.
Siskowic Takes the Fifth
For the fifth straight year the Gateway Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Year has been a Redbird. Cameron Siskowic added his name to the list recently, when the senior linebacker was named the league's top defender in 2006. The Illinois State streak, which is the longest in Gateway history, includes Siskowic, Brent Hawkins (2005) and Boomer Grigsby (2002, 2003 and 2004).
Rembert's Rave Reviews
Through 12 games, his first as ISU's featured running back, Pierre Rembert has gotten two thumbs up. With 135.75 rushing yards per game, Rembert ranks No. 6 nationally among running backs. He has also eclipsed the 1,500-yard mark for the season, becoming only the second running back to do so in Illinois State history, while also becoming the Redbirds all-time single-season rushing leader. Rembert has totaled a school record 1,629 rushing yards this season.
Turnover Turnaround
Heading into the regular season finale, the Redbirds hadn't committed a turnover in over five games. That has all changed in the last two contests, with the Redbirds committing eight turnovers combined at Northern Iowa and at Eastern Illinois. In the first nine games of the season, the Redbirds surrendered only six turnovers.
Re-runs are a Rarity, Or are They?
The Redbirds had not played a team twice in the same season since 1943, when ISU defeated Illinois Wesleyan 6-0 on October 23 and again on November 20, by a score of 12-6. However this season, the Redbirds have beaten Eastern Illinois twice and will be playing Youngstown State for the second time today.
Twice is Nice
When Jason Tate and Jesse Caesar both returned interceptions for touchdowns against Eastern Illinois, it marked the first time that two ISU defenders had returned touchdowns in the same season since 2000. Dating back to at least 1969, it was also the first time that two teammates returned INT's for touchdowns in the same game.
Road Warriors
The Redbirds own a 5-2 record on the road this season and dating back to last season, ISU boasts a 7-2 record in its last nine road games. Illinois State will be on the road for the fourth straight week this week at Youngstown State. The Redbirds haven't played four straight road games since the 1998 season, in which they finished with a 3-1 record.
Hail Caesar!
Much like Julius Caesar, Jesse Caesar has a way of conquering his foes. Caesar's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the ISU playoff win over Eastern Illinois and was his second defensive touchdown of his career, after returning a fumble 69 yards at Iowa State in the 2005 season opener. The interception was also Caesar's second of the season, tying him for third on the team.
Defense Wins Championships
You hear the phrase a lot in football, but the ISU defense definitely kept the Redbirds' national championship hopes alive last Saturday. The `Birds held the Panthers to just 138 yards of total offense and 59 yards rushing in the 24-13 win to advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs. With three interceptions in the game, it also marked the first time that a Redbird defense recorded three picks in a game since 2004, when Antwann Oliver, Evan Allen-Gessesse and Alex Filin each recorded INT's against St. Xavier.
Overcoming Adversity
ISU quarterback Luke Drone is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in ISU history, but even he has his bad days. Drone has thrown for four interceptions in a game twice in his career, including last week's win at Eastern Illinois. The only other time Drone threw for four INT's in a game was in 2005 at Youngstown State. However, if history repeats itself, the junior signal caller should bounce back this week against the Penguins and in possible future playoff contests. Following the four interceptions last season at Youngstown State, Drone completed 71.7 percent (71-99) of his passes in the next three
games, and led the `Birds to wins over two ranked opponents in Southern Illinois (No. 1) and Northern Iowa (No. 13)
Robinson Approaching Three Grand
Senior wide receiver Laurént Robinson enters the game at Youngstown State needing only 82 yards to post 3,000 receiving yards in his Illinois State career. With 3,000 career receiving yards, Robinson would become only the fifth player in Gateway Football Conference history to accomplish the feat.
Cleaning the State
With the Redbirds' 24-13 win at Eastern Illinois in the Division I Football Championship last week it marked the fourth victory over schools from the state of Illinois this season. Earlier this season, the 'Birds downed Southern Illinois, 37-10, defeated Eastern Illinois, 44-3 in the regular season, and dropped Western Illinois, 27-14. The four Redbird victories over Illinois' schools hadn't happened since 1968 when ISU downed Illinois Wesleyan, Illinois-Chicago, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Bradley all in the same season.
Simply the Best
There isn't much doubt that Laurént Robinson is the best receiver to ever play at Illinois State. Robinson continued his takeover of the ISU record books at Indiana State. With his six-catch, 169-yard effort, Robinson became the all-time catch leader in ISU history and the leader in all-time receiving yards. The senior wideout now has 185 catches for 2,918 yards.
The Three-Headed Monster
Chances are anything running through the middle of the Redbird defense is going to get hit. The chances are also good that it will be by a Redbird linebacker. The linebacking trio of Cameron Siskowic, Kye Stewart and Niall Campbell have each gone over the 100 tackle mark this season, the first time ISU has had three players with 100 stops since 1991. Siskowic has notched 140 tackles on the season and is second in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision with 11.67 tackles per game. Stewart has posted 123 stops, which ranks second in the conference and No. 7 nationally, while Campbell has 100 tackles on the season and ranks ninth in the conference and No. 66 nationally.
Robinson Returns; Collects No. 34
Reigning Gateway Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year Laurént Robinson returned to the Redbird line-up in the last four games. Robinson has responded with at least one catch in each game, which extended his school record of consecutive games played with a reception to 34.
Bend, Don't Break
The Redbird defense is allowing 334.08 yards per game, which ranks No. 3 among Gateway teams, but ISU opponents haven't been able to convert them into points. On the season, ISU is allowing the league-best average with 19.50 points per game, which also ranks No. 29 nationally. The 'Birds have allowed 14 touchdowns in 33 red-zone trips (42 percent).
Drone: A Worker QB
Not only is quarterback Luke Drone a hard-worker, he is also efficient. In fact, he's the most efficient quarterback the Redbirds have ever had. For his career, Drone has posted a passing efficiency rating of 148.6, which is 21 points higher than the next highest ISU quarterback. His efficiency rating (144.27) this season is third in conference and ranks No. 17 in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
Gunnin' 'em Down
Cameron Siskowic is showing why he was named a Buck Buchanan Award watch list member in 2006, as the senior linebacker ranks second the nation in tackles. The San Diego, Calif., native is on pace to lead the Gateway Football Conference in tackles for the second straight season. As a result, Siskowic has totaled 380 tackles in his career at Illinois State, which ranks sixth in school history. He is only the 12th player in ISU history to total 300 or more tackles in a career.
Getting Your Picks On Route 66
With Hancock Stadium located just off nostalgic Route 66, the Redbird defense has been getting their kicks in 2006. Through 12 games, the `Birds have intercepted 17 passes, which is tied for the fifth best team total in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The kicker is that the Redbirds have the most interceptions since 1989.
Ten with a Win
With a victory today, Illinois State would earn its 10th win of the season. With nine wins, the Redbirds have achieved the second-highest win total in the 111-year history of the Illinois State football program, but 10 would put them within one victory of tying the school record, trailing only the 11-3 campaign of 1999.
Rembert's Doubly Grand
Running back Pierre Rembert had already eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing milestone this season and at Indiana State, he surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards for his career. ISU's offensive workhorse now has a school record 1,629 yards on the season on 331 attempts with 16 touchdowns. It is only the 12th time the 'Birds have had a 1,000-yard rusher in a season, but the fifth in the last seven years. Rembert's 2,430 career rushing yards rank No. 5 all-time.
The I-Pass
The Redbird offense won't necessarily help at the toll booths, but it has been blowing through Gateway football stadiums with regularity the last three seasons. The Redbirds lead the Gateway with 231.0 passing yards per game. If ISU can stay on top in that category, it would mark the third straight season in which the Redbirds have led the conference in passing offense. The 'Birds would only be the third team to accomplish the feat, joining Northern Iowa and Western Illinois.
Applying the Full Nelson
That's exactly what sophomore free safety Tom Nelson has been doing to opposing quarterbacks this season, as he has picked off four passes this season. The 2005 Gateway Freshman of the Year leads the Redbirds in picks and ranks tied for No. 48 in the nation with 0.33 interceptions per game.
Doubting Thomas
Lined up at the defensive tackle position, there is reason to be skeptical that Illinois State's Jarek Thomas has two interceptions on the year. But, it's true. Thomas' two interceptions are the most by a Redbird defensive lineman since 1974, when Rick Spain also snagged a pair of passes. Thomas intercepted a shovel pass against Central Arkansas, but later in the season he got the ultimate defensive lineman's dream with an interception returned for a touchdown against Youngstown State.
Action Jackson
Despite having all-American wide receiver Laurént Robinson hobbled with an ankle injury, senior Pierre Jackson has emerged as an alternative deep threat for the Redbirds. "Jelly" has notched three 100-yard receiving games this season and leads the team with 44 catches for 746 yards. He has also added a team-high six receiving touchdowns.
Moving the Chains
The Redbird offense has taken advantage of every down this season, especially third down. In 166 attempts on third down, Illinois State has converted 83 of them, or 50 percent. The Redbird success rate on third down ranks as the fourth best in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision, the best of the remaining playoff teams. As a result, the 'Birds have collected 243 first downs on the season.
Rembert Running with Regularity
In 11 of the 12 games this season, including the first seven straight, Illinois State running back Pierre Rembert has rushed for 100 yards or more. With his streak of seven straight games to start the season, Rembert compiled the longest such string of 100-yard rushing games in ISU history, bettering the old mark by three games. His 11, 100-yard rushing games also sets the school standard for the most in a single season.
Movin' on Up
In just his second season as a starter, Luke Drone is starting to creep up the charts in the ISU record book. With 5,712 career passing yards, Drone is in sole possession of the No. 3 spot on the all-time ISU passing list. He is now chasing John Coppens (1981-84) and needs 527 yards to move into second. He is also chasing Coppens in career completions. Drone has 402 in his career and needs 153 to move into second place in ISU history.
All-America U
ISU has produced at least one all-American player in 20 of its last 23 seasons. Over the last seven seasons, 27 players from 11 different positions have been honored. Laurént Robinson, Brent Hawkins, Stafford Davis and Cameron Siskowic were all consensus selections in 2005.
Transferable
Since 1993, when the NCAA rules changed to allow players immediate eligibility at the I-AA level, Illinois State has had 44 players transfer from I-A schools. ISU's I-A transfers on this year's roster include: Alan Abrams (RB, Ole Miss); Adam Blankenship (DL, Nebraska); Pierre Jackson (WR, Minnesota); Brandon Joyce (OL, Indiana); Dan Passarelli (WR, Northern Illinois); Pierre Rembert (RB, Michigan); Cameron Siskowic (LB, Washington St.); Jonathan St-Pierre (OL, Miami (Fla.)) and James Stevenson III (DL, Illinois).
Men of Honor
The Redbird football team concluded the spring semester with 35 players on the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll, a new team record. The Redbirds also compiled a 2.68 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 67 days - that's how many straight 24-hour days a person would have to work to equal the 1,595 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 the Redbird gridders put in 1,595 hours themselves.
Somebody's Watching
For the fifth straight season, the Illinois State football team has had some of its members under a watchful eye. This season, both Pierre Rembert and Cameron Siskowic have been put on watch. Siskowic has been on the 2006 Buck Buchanan Award watch all season, after finishing as a finalist for the top defensive honor in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Rembert, on the under hand, was added to the 2006 Walter Payton Award watch list on the final revision and finished 11th in the voting with 59 tallies. Meanwhile, Denver Johnson is also on the final ballot for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award.
Love 'Birds
Prior to the start of fall camp, senior offensive lineman Janiah Downing proposed to his girlfriend, Illinois State volleyball player Lindley McDavid. The proposal was accepted and continued a string of Redbird football-volleyball romances. In July a pair of recent graduates, former Redbird fullback Kevin Kreger and former setter Kelly Rikli, were married, while ISU offensive coordinator Justin Fuente and his wife, Jenny, the Redbirds' assistant head volleyball coach, celebrated their first wedding anniversary.
Band of Brothers
The 2006 Illinois State roster sports three sets of brothers. The Redbird family includes Cameron and Kyle Siskowic, Rafael and Cortes Rice and Dan and Nick Passarelli.
