The 'Birds averaged a school best 39.2 points per game, while also setting the school mark in rushing touchdowns (31), passing yards per game (268.7) and total yards per game (477.5).
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).
Notable Newcomers
Since the Gateway began recognizing an all-newcomer team in 1994, over 42 Redbirds have been cited for achievement in their first season. In 2005, running back Pierre Rembert and defensive back Tom Nelson added their names to the list.
Another One Bites the Dust
With a 61-35 dismantling of then No. 1 Southern Illinois in Carbondale and a 38-3 rout of then No. 13 Northern Iowa in Hancock Stadium, the Redbirds have beaten at least one ranked foe in eight of the last nine seasons.
Drone: A worker QB
In his first full year on the job, quarterback Luke Drone proved to be hard-working and efficient. Drone ended the season with 2,930 yards passing, the second highest total in school history, while completing a school record 64.5 percent of his passes.
Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood
Laurént Robinson has laid claim to his neighborhood - the ISU record books. Robinson already owns the school record for catches in a game (14), catches in a season (86), receiving yards in a game (292) and receiving yards in a season (1,465). The records that are in his sights for 2006 are: catches in a career (needs 26), receiving yards in a career (needs 431), touchdown receptions (needs one) and 100-yard games in a career (needs four).
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.
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.
The Sisko Kid Looks for the Fifth
When Brent Hawkins claimed the 2005 Gateway Defensive Player of the Year award, it marked the fourth straight by a Redbird player and tied the league record for consecutive league MVPs with Northern Iowa (1991-94). Cameron Siskowic hopes to extend that ISU streak. The senior linebacker was a finalist for the 2005 Buck Buchanan Award and led the conference in tackles with 132 and averaged 12 tackles per game.
26 and Counting
Illinois State's Laurént Robinson enters the season with at least one catch in 26 straight games. The senior wide receiver needs four more games with a catch to claim the school mark of 29 by Vito Golson.
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.
Getting Offensive
For the second time in three seasons, ISU led the Gateway Conference in total offense. In addition to leading the league in offensive production, the Redbirds also set the school standard for total offense with 477.5 yards per game and passing offense with 268.7 yards per contest.
Thirty Something
The Redbirds scored 30 or more points in seven of the 11 games last season, en route to being the highest scoring team in the conference and in school history with 39.2 points per game. The Redbirds' average point total also ranked No. 5 nationally in points per game.
Somebody's Watching
On Aug. 23, both Laurént Robinson and Cameron Siskowic were put on watch. Robinson, a finalist for the 2005 Walter Payton Award, presented to the nation's top I-AA offensive player, was named to the initial watch list for the 2006 award. Likewise, Siskowic was added to the 2006 Buck Buchanan Award watch list after finishing as a finalist last season as one of the nation's top I-AA defensive players.
A Dowry for Downing?
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.
Take Me Out to the Crowd
With a capacity of 50,000 in the Bill Snyder Family Stadium, tonight's game will more than likely crack Illinois State's largest road attendance top-10 list. All 10 games occurred at Division I venues, with four of the top five attendance figures being set in the last four years.
Turnover Turnaround
In 2004, the Redbirds ranked dead last (117) in turnover margin (-1.91) nationally among I-AA teams. ISU turned the tide in 2005 and finished with 23rd best turnover margin in the country (+.55). The actual result was a difference of +27 turnovers between the two seasons.
Mt. Martindale
Stable like a mountain, Justin Martindale returns to the Redbird defensive front for his final season. One of the conference's most underrated players, Martindale finally drew league accolades after being named to the 2006 Preseason All-Gateway Honorable Mention Team. Martindale has started and played in every game but one during his Redbird career. He has also left his mark on special teams with six blocked kicks in his first three seasons at ISU.
Success in the Sunflower State
Tonight's game will mark the fourth time Illinois State has played football on Kansas soil. To date, the 'Birds have had some success playing in the nation's 34th state. ISU owns a 2-1 mark with a pair of victories at Wichita State in the 1980s and a more recent loss to Kansas in 1998. Overall, the 'Birds own a 4-3 record against teams from the Sunflower State with games against Kansas (0-1), Washburn (1-0) and Wichita State (3-2).
J.T. - Just Tough
A healthy Jarek Thomas is bad news for opposing running backs. Prior to the dislocation of the Redbird defensive tackle's wrist in 2005, the ISU defense held its first four opponents' rushing game in check. All four failed to average more than three yards per rush as the 'Birds limited Iowa State (2.2), Drake (2.8), Eastern Illinois (2.7) and Murray State (1.7) to less than three yards per carry.
The Little Drummer Boy
At 5-foot-9, 160-pounds, ISU defensive back Leon Kittrell has had his bumps and bruises during his Redbird career. When not playing football, Kittrell enjoys music, but not like most people - he's a world-class drummer. The son of Motown session singer/drummer, the junior Kittrell has played drums in shows for Janet Jackson and Usher to name a few. This season, Kittrell is looking for a consistent beat on the field. He has gone injury free through fall camp for the first time in his career and is slated as the starter at right corner.
Turning up the Temp
Senior strong safety James Temple enjoyed the Redbirds move from a 4-4 to a 4-3 defensive scheme last season. Temple led the 'Birds with four interceptions, while adding four pass break ups. He also returned a fumble 56 yards for a touchdown against Western Kentucky. Temple ranks second on the team in career tackles with 142, trailing only Cameron Siskowic.
Running Rembert
Tailback Pierre Rembert has himself a running start into the 2006 season. Rembert totaled 357 yards rushing in the final two games last season, including a school-record 272 yards and six touchdowns at Missouri State. In the first nine games of 2005, Rembert totaled 444 yards.
Kye's the Guy
Need a playmaker? Look no further than junior linebacker Kye Stewart. Arguably the best football player on the team, Stewart was the only defensive player to score more than one touchdown last season. Stewart returned a fumble 42 yards for the score at Eastern Illinois and brought back an interception for 21 yards against Western Kentucky for a touchdown. Twice Stewart was named the league's defensive player of the week in 2005 and he finished the year with four turnovers.
Backing the Guarantee
For the first time as a head coach, Denver Johnson went a season without a 1,000-yard rusher in 2005. Johnson went eight straight sesons with a 1,000-yard back and finished 199 yards short last season due to multiple injuries. The Redbirds return a solid stable of backs, including Pierre Rembert, who rushed for a team-high 801 yards last season, as well as adding Ole Miss transfer Alan Abrams and freshman Geno Blow, and will try to get the streak started again.
A Full Nelson
Sophomore free safety Tom Nelson became only the second Redbird to claim the Gateway Football Conference's Freshman of the Year honors. Nelson joined former ISU quarterback Dusty Burk, who received the honor in 1999.
Powered with a 426 Hemi
The Illinois State offense is high octane - just look under the hood. In the last three seasons, the Redbirds have averaged 426 yards of total offense per game. During that span the 'Birds have totaled 14,485 yards of total offense, or 8.23 miles. Last season, ISU's offense ranked No. 5 in the nation with 477.5 yards per game.
Thirty Something, Part II
Sure the Redbird offense could score in 2005, but so did the defense. The ISU defense accounted for 32 points last season. The 'Birds scored five defensive touchdowns and returned a blocked extra point for a two-point conversion.
Hail! King Caesar
That's what the Redbird faithful might be chanting by season's end if fall camp performances mean anything. Junior cornerback Jesse Caesar collected three interceptions in the 'Birds second and final scrimmage of camp and is on pace to become the team's "lock down" corner. Caesar led ISU with five pass break ups last season and picked off one pass.
