MSU's 58 points also tied for the most given up by Illinois State since joining the Gateway in 1985.
Trying to get their Kicks
The Illinois State football team has seen three different players attempt and make PATs this season, which is the first time in ISU's modern history (1949-present) that three different Redbirds have made the extra point in a single season. Tyler Funk has converted 10-of-13, Steven Fetzer is 5-for-6 and Kevin Mazur has made all three of his tries.
Mordis Makes a Comeback
After suffering what appeared to be a career-ending injury during fall camp, senior Dave Mordis has persevered and appeared in his first game of the season at Missouri State. Though he did not record a stat, the 2007 All-Gateway Preseason First-Team selection logged time in an offensive series in the second half, as well as serving as an end blocker on the PAT team.
Blow Knows Touchdowns
Sophomore Geno Blow set a new career-high for rushing touchdowns scored in a game, as he found the end zone on three different occasions last weekend at Missouri State. Blow, who also finished with a game-high 155 yards, became the first ISU player to accomplish the feat since former Redbird Pierre Rembert scored three touchdowns against MSU Nov. 4, 2006.
Moving the Chain Gang
It can be a nerve-racking situation - facing third down with the possibility of stalling a drive, but the Illinois State football team has been able to move the chains with regularity when faced with the circumstances. The Redbirds are the best team in the country in third-down efficiency, converting 52.7 percent of the time.
Hanging by the Same Chains
The ISU offense isn't the only one having success on third downs, so are its opponents. ISU's defense is surrendering first downs 51.2 percent of the time on third down. In fact, the Redbirds rank No. 114 nationally in defense third-down efficiency among the 116 teams competing in the FCS.
Lost in Interception
It has been an unlikely trend for Luke Drone, but after throwing three interceptions in each of the last two games, the Illinois State quarterback has been picked off a total of 22 times in his last nine games. The stretch, which dates back to last season, includes only 11 touchdowns during that time span. These are atypical numbers for Drone, who in his first 28 games with the Redbirds, threw 39 touchdown passes with only 15 interceptions.
Horton Joins the Century Club
Wide receiver Jason Horton has assumed the role as the primary target of quarterback Luke Drone. Horton leads the Redbirds with 20 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns, even after missing the Missouri game due to a sore calf. Against Missouri State, Horton joined a select group with the 100th catch of his career. He now ranks No. 8 in ISU history with 101 career grabs. Horton has also accrued 1,445 yards receiving, which ranks sixth all-time in ISU history.
Blow-ing Through the Defense
For the third-straight game, sophomore tailback Geno Blow had a stellar day running the football. The Seabrook, Texas, native has also showcased his speed, in addition to his power. Blow owns the two longest rushing touchdowns by the Redbirds this season: a 50-yard scamper against Northern Iowa, and a 30-yard run off a variation of the swinging gate at Missouri State.
Hronec Puts on the Clamps
After being on the sidelines due to an injury at Missouri, senior Bill Hronec returned to the ISU lineup the last two weekends - in a big way. Hronec collected a career-high tying 11 tackles in each game. He has also totaled two-and-a-half tackles for loss, eight solo stops, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and his first-career interception over the last two games.
A Three-Headed Monster
So far this season, three different tailbacks have secured 100-plus yard games for the Redbirds, a feat that was last accomplished during the 2005 campaign. The Redbird runners have teamed together to give ISU a 100-yard back in all but one game this season. Rafael Rice rushed for a season-high 218 yards in the opener versus Drake, while Parrish Fisher ran for 122 yards against Murray State. Geno Blow became the third Redbird to run for 100 yards, when he collected a career-high 167 yards against Northern Iowa.
Wolfpack ... For Life!
While WWE wrestling fans might know that particular slogan, it is Illinois State's version of the group that has been knocking out opponents on the gridiron. Collectively, the Redbird H-backs and tight ends call themselves "The Wolfpack." The group has been on the hunt as of late, with 26 total receptions over the last four games. Fullback Garin Harcar ranks second on the team with 18 catches, while tight end Kedric Meredith is fourth with 13 grabs.
Rushing into the Record Books
Rafael Rice returned to the field at Missouri State after missing two games with a sore right knee. The senior running back is tied for sixth place in the school annals for career rushing touchdowns. Rice now has 17 career touchdowns and needs seven more scores to tie Ron Bell and Bruce Cullen (24) for fourth place all-time.
Another One Bites the Dust
With the 24-21 win at No. 14 Eastern Illinois, the Redbirds have now secured a victory over a nationally-ranked team in 10 of the last 11 seasons. ISU will have plenty of opportunities this season to notch additional wins over ranked teams, as four of its next five opponents are rated in a top-25 poll.
Tonight's Top-10 List, from the Home Office in Wahoo, Neb. ...
After today's game, Illinois State senior linebacker Kye Stewart should be part of a top-10 list - the top-10 tacklers in school history. Stewart only needs seven tackles to move into the No. 10 spot among the Redbird greats. With 321 career tackles, Stewart is one of 12 players in Redbird history to accumulate 300 or more tackles in their careers.
In Rare Company
Illinois State has proven that it can help student-athletes leap into the professional ranks, as the Redbirds have had a player selected in each of the last three NFL Drafts. Only one other school in the FCS Division, Cal Poly, has sent as many players to the NFL during that same time span. Boomer Grigsby (5th Round, Kansas City), Brent Hawkins (5th Round, Jacksonville) and Laurént Robinson (3rd Round, Atlanta) are the recent Redbird NFL Draft choices.
The Buck Stops Here
Illinois State linebacker Kye Stewart is one of 16 players chosen by The Sports Network to be on the watch list for the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. With Stewart's candidacy for this year's award, it marks the sixth-straight season that Illinois State has had at least one player on the list. Other Redbirds to receive recognition include former all-American linebacker and current Kansas City Chiefs fullback Boomer Grigsby; former all-American defensive end and current Jacksonville Jaguar Brent Hawkins; and former all-American linebacker Cameron Siskowic.
All-America U
ISU has produced at least one all-American player in 21 of its last 24 seasons. Over the last seven seasons, 29 players from 12 different positions have been honored. Linebacker Kye Stewart was a consensus preseason all-America selection prior to the 2007 season.
Redbirds at Payton's Place
With the announcement of quarterback Luke Drone being named as one of 16 players to be considered on the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, it marks the third-consecutive season that an Illinois State player has been considered for that award. Drone, who was a first-team All-Gateway Football Conference selection in 2006, joins former ISU standout and current Atlanta Falcons' wide receiver Laurént Robinson, who received recognition in both 2005 and 2006. Former running back Pierre Rembert was named a finalist for the award last season, which recognizes the top football player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
A Sixth Sense?
Since 2001, Illinois State has been the home of the Gateway Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Year award. Boomer Grigsby, the league's only three-time winner, won the award in 2002, 2003 and 2004; while Brent Hawkins followed suit in 2005; and Cameron Siskowic claimed the honor in 2006. Redbird senior linebacker Kye Stewart, the top returning tackler in the GFC, is off to a great start in 2007, leading the league with 72 tackles, which also ranks tied for No. 5 nationally in the FCS. So, it's only sensible that Stewart would be considered the favorite for the award this season, which would give the Redbirds six straight.
The I-Pass
The Redbird offense won't speed up the lines at toll booths, but it has been blowing through Gateway football stadiums with regularity the last three seasons. The Redbirds led the Gateway in 2006 with 227.8 passing yards per game, marking the third-straight season that ISU has led the conference in passing offense. If ISU owns the league's top passing offense again this season, it would become only the second team to lead the league in passing four-straight seasons, joining Northern Iowa, which did so from 1995-2000. If the string is going to continue, the pace will have to pick up soon for ISU. Currently, the Redbird offense ranks fourth in the conference with 182.67 passing yards per game.
The Three Degrees of St-Pierre
While junior Jonathan St-Pierre is in his second season with the Redbirds, he has already walked across the stage to receive one degree, a bachelor's in economics from Illinois State. St-Pierre is on pace to finish with three degrees by the time the Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, native leaves ISU in 2009. He will complete two courses at Miami (Fla.), where he began his college career, next summer to complete a bachelor's degree in business administration. This year, he has started the curriculum for his master's degree in economics and should have that completed in May 2009.
Denver Johnson - a Man of Honor
As ISU opened its 2007 training camp, head coach Denver Johnson earned recognition for his hard work as the Redbirds' mentor. Johnson was honored by the All-American Football Foundation, along with three other coaches, as a recipient of the prestigious Johnny Vaught Head Coach Award. Johnson led the Redbirds to their third trip to the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs in 2006, while also being a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award last season.
It's in His Sights
Quarterback Luke Drone has thrown for over 2,900 yards in each of the last two seasons. If he equals or surpasses that feat this year, Drone will become the most prolific passer in Illinois State history. Drone needs 1,255 yards through the air in ISU's final five games to knock former Redbird Kevin Glenn (8,251) from the top spot.
Good Chance for a Grand
Head coach Denver Johnson has had a 1,000-yard rusher in nine of the 10 seasons that he has been a head coach, both at Illinois State and Murray State. Last year was no exception, as Pierre Rembert rushed for a school-record 1,743 yards. Both Geno Blow and Rafael Rice are nearly halfway there this season. Blow leads the team with 490 yards rushing, while Rice has totaled 482.
The Full Nelson
That's exactly what the Redbirds are getting out of free safety Tom Nelson. Not only did he lead the Redbirds in interceptions in 2006, and currently leads the team this season, but Nelson is also Illinois State's primary kickoff and punt returner. The 2005 Gateway Freshman of the Year and 2007 All-Gateway Preseason Team selection has already posted six kickoff returns and a punt return over 20 yards in length, while averaging 21.6 yards per kick return. Nelson also recorded a career-high 13 tackles (six solo) versus Northern Iowa. At Missouri, Nelson intercepted a pair of Tiger passes, marking the second two-interception game of his career. The other occurred against another Big 12 foe, Kansas State, in 2006.
A Leader On-and-Off the Field
Linebacker Kye Stewart has shown his prowess on the football field, but it is also his ability to lead his peers off the gridiron that Illinois State football fans should stand up for and applaud. Stewart was selected from a pool of 1,300 top student-athletes from across the country to represent ISU at the 2007 NCAA Leadership Conference, LeaderSHAPE. A 2006 All-Gateway First-Team selection, Stewart was one of 356 student-athletes from around the country that attended the event held in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., from May 27-31. Stewart was the second-straight Redbird football student-athlete to attend the conference, as senior quarterback Luke Drone was selected in 2006.
Transferable
Since 1993, when the NCAA rules changed to allow players immediate eligibility at the FCS level, Illinois State has had 49 players transfer from Football Bowl Subdvision (FBS) schools. ISU's FBS transfers on this year's roster include: Adam Blankenship (DL, Nebraska); Kelvin Chandler (WR, Pittsburgh); Parrish Fisher (RB, Kansas State); Brandon Joyce (OL, Indiana); Mitchell Moore (RB, Iowa State); Jonathan St-Pierre (OL, Miami (Fla.)); and Nick Williams (DL, Pittsburgh).
Stewart's Doubling Over
Kye Stewart finished with nine tackles at Missouri State, which was the first time this season the Redbird senior didn't notch a double-digit tackle game. Stewart has 19 double-digit tackle games in his career and currently ranks tied for No. 5 nationally in tackles per game this season. He leads the Gateway with 72 tackles on the year.
Being Taken for a Long Drive
The ISU defense has surrendered 22 touchdowns this year and exactly half of those scores have come from drives of 70 yards or more. The long drives are sustained by Redbird opponents converting third-down plays. As mentioned earlier, Illinois State ranks No. 114 nationally defending third downs, allowing opposing offenses a 52.1-percent success rate on the potential drive-stopping down. The distance from the first down doesn't seem to matter either. When facing at least third-and-11, Redbird opponents have converted first downs 46.7 percent of the time against the defense.
Getting to the League
Not only have the Redbirds had a player drafted into the NFL in each of the last three years, but currently, there are four former Illinois State players in the NFL and two more in the Canadian Football League. Former Redbirds in the NFL include: Aveion Cason (RB, Detroit Lions); Boomer Grigsby (FB, Kansas City Chiefs); Brent Hawkins (DE, Jacksonville Jaguars); and Laurént Robinson (WR, Atlanta Falcons). In the CFL, former Redbird teammates Kevin Glenn (QB) and Sam Young (DB) are teammates again with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The NFL is in Their Blood
Redshirt-freshman quarterback Preston Earl and senior offensive lineman Brandon Joyce are both the offspring of former NFL players. Earl's father, Robin, was a fullback with the Chicago Bears from 1977-82. Joyce's dad, Terry, punted for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1976 and 1977 seasons. In addition, true-freshman quarterback Drew Kiel's uncle, Blair, played in the NFL from 1984-91 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984), Indianapolis Colts (1986-87) and Green Bay Packers (1988, 1990-91).
