ISU's offensive coordinator Jim Williams (1998-2000) and WIU running backs coach Thad Ward (2005) both coached at Independence Community College as assistant coaches.
Geno's Drive for Five
With 128 yards on 17 carries, sophomore Geno Blow was in the driver's seat for the Illinois State offense last week at Youngstown State. The Seabrook, Texas, native recorded his fifth-straight 100-plus rushing day in the Redbirds' victory, tying him with Pierre Rembert for the second-longest rushing streak in school history.
Doublin' Over
Linebacker Kye Stewart finished last weekend's win at Youngstown State with a game-high 12 tackles, which was his sixth double-digit tackling effort this season and the 20th of his career. Stewart's 339 total tackles now ranks ninth all-time in the school annals, as he passed Duane Butler, who amassed 332 from 1994-96.
Splitting the Uprights
Redshirt-freshman Steven Fetzer made a huge impact to the Redbird kicking game in only his third-career appearance at Youngstown State, as he nailed his first two career field goals from 47 and 36 yards. Fetzer's two field goals were a difference maker for the Redbirds, as ISU won by a five-point decision over the Penguins, 27-22.
Getting Defensive
After allowing 155 yards of total offense in the first quarter of last weekend's game at Youngstown State, the Illinois State Redbirds rolled their sleeves up and got defensive. In the following three quarters of play, the `Birds allowed a combined total of 152 yards.
Shopping at the G.A.P.
The Illinois State football team benefited from the big plays last Saturday, or what is more commonly referred to as G.A.P (Game Altering Plays). During ISU's victory at Youngstown State, the Redbirds recorded three big plays: a 77-yard scamper by Geno Blow, which was the longest rush of the season; a 69-yard strike from Luke Drone to Jason Horton, the longest passing play of the season; and the longest scoring drive of the season; a 14-play, 97-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Coincidentally, all three plays ended in touchdowns, which were instrumental in the Redbirds winning the game.
Tuning the Receiver
Quarterback Luke Drone not only threw for a season-high 278 yards last weekend at Youngstown State, but he was able to spread the ball by recording 15 receptions among four different receivers. Kevett Mickle led all of the wide outs with six catches, while Jason Horton had five, Jake Rourke grabbed three and Eyad Salem added one. The 15 receptions by the ISU wide receivers equaled their previous season-high of 15 catches at Missouri.
Another One Bites the Dust
With the 24-21 win at No. 14 Eastern Illinois, the Redbirds have secured a victory over a nationally-ranked team in 10 of the last 11 seasons. ISU also knocked off No. 12 Youngstown State 27-22 this season, and will have more opportunities to knock off ranked teams, as all three of its final regular-season opponents are ranked in the top-25 polls.
Mickle Makes his Mark ... Again
Kevett Mickle has continued to return to form as the 2007 season has progressed, and was able to pick up some key receptions at Youngstown State. Mickle finished the game with six catches for 77 yards, while his 14-yard grab in the corner of the end zone during the opening minutes of the fourth quarter gave the Redbirds a 27-16 lead, which was enough to propel the `Birds to victory. On the season, Mickle has 23 catches for 293 yards, with two touchdowns.
Keeping the Drive Alive
The Illinois State football team saw the importance of keeping alive a potential scoring threat by converting on third down, as the Redbirds were able to move the chains on 11-of-21 attempts against Youngstown State, while holding the Penguins to 4-of-15 in last weekend's upset victory. The Redbirds were a perfect 4-for-4 on third down during the team's key scoring drive, as ISU was able to drive downfield and find the end zone in the opening minute of the fourth quarter on a 14-play, 97-yard drive.
Saturday the 13th: Jason Returns
While this might sound like the title of an upcoming horror flick, it was ISU wide receiver Jason Horton that had opposing defenses screaming that the past two weeks. After amassing 110 yards on four catches with a touchdown against Indiana State, the Bolingbrook, Ill., native followed up his performance with five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown against Youngstown State. Horton's touchdown came on a 69-yard pass from Luke Drone, which was the longest reception of his career and the longest by ISU this season. His 119 yards receiving were only one yard shy of tying his career-best.
Cool Runnings
While the temperature is finally beginning to drop in Normal, the Illinois State rushing attack has been anything but chilly. After racking up 444 yards on the ground against Indiana State, the Redbirds pounded out 175 more at Youngstown State, with 128 coming from running back Geno Blow. While the latter effort might not seem as impressive, it was against a YSU run defense that had been ranked No. 26 nationally in rushing yards allowed coming into the game, with an average of 120.14 yards per game.
Cool Hand Luke
Through the first six games, the 2007 season had been an aberration for Redbird quarterback Luke Drone. The ISU signal caller has made a career out of efficiently managing games, minimizing miscues and completing passes at a high percentage. After what many people might label as "his breakthrough game" of the season versus Indiana State, Drone returned to form at No. 12 Youngstown State. The 2006 All-Gateway First-Team selection threw for a season-high 278 yards on 19-for-30 passing, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Dating back to last season, Drone has thrown 22 picks in his last 11 games.
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 each of the last three games for the Redbirds, including his first start of the year at Youngstown State. The 2007 All-Gateway Preseason First-Team selection logged his first official stat at Youngstown State, as he caught an 8-yard pass from Luke Drone in the fourth quarter.
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 54.9 percent of the time.
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.
Blow-ing Chunks
While sophomore Geno Blow hasn't been feeling ill as of late, it is his ability to force opposing defenses to purge up big plays that has made his last five games so special. Blow's speed was showcased last week at Youngstown State when he took his first handoff of the game 77 yards for a touchdown. Blow also had a big play on a third-and-8 situation in the fourth quarter, as he caught a pass in the backfield and took it 20-yards for a first down. On the year, Blow has four plays of 20-plus yards, with three of the four going for touchdowns.
It's as Easy as One, Two, Three
Illinois State not only had one running back rush for 100-plus yards against Indiana State, the Redbirds had three of them. For the first time in school and Gateway Football Conference history, Illinois State had three backs reach the milestone in the same game. Senior Rafael Rice pounded out 182 yards on the ground, while sophomores Geno Blow and Cortes Rice added 122 and 110 yards, respectively.
The Four Horsemen
With Cortes Rice's 110 yards rushing in the victory over Indiana State, the Redbirds have had four different running backs reach 100 yards or more in at least one game this season. Rice's older brother, Rafael Rice, has rushed for 100 yards three times this season, while Geno Blow has reached the plateau five times and Parrish Fisher once. The foursome becomes the first group of Redbirds to each rush for 100 yards in a game during the same season since 1968, when Jed Waters, Harold Olson, Bruce Cullen and Mike Phillips accomplished the feat.
In Rare Company
ISU has proven that it can help student-athletes leap into the professional ranks, with a player selected in each of the last three NFL Drafts. Only one other school in the Football Championship Subdvision (FCS), Cal Poly, has sent as many players to the NFL during that same time span. Boomer Grigsby (fifth round, Kansas City), Brent Hawkins (fifth round, Jacksonville) and Laurént Robinson (third 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.
He Really is a Drone
In the bee world, drones are dubbed "worker bees" because of their consistent work ethic. In Redbird football, quarterback Luke Drone is of the same mold. The avid student of game film, Drone is by far the most efficient signal caller in school history. For his career, Drone has posted a passing efficiency rating of 143.9, which is over 15 points higher than the next highest ISU quarterback.
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 90 tackles, which also ranks tied for No. 12 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 191.0 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.
What a Rush
After scoring seven rushing touchdowns in the 69-17 win over Indiana State, the Redbirds have now scored 22 TDs on the ground this season. The season total now ranks No. 10 in Redbird history, but with four regular-season games remaining, ISU could make a run at the school standard of 31 rushing touchdowns, set in 2005.
Many Happy Returns
Through eight games, the Redbirds are on pace to break the school record for kickoff return average by a team in a season. ISU is currently averaging 24.0 yards per kickoff return this season, which is just over one yard better than the record of 22.96 yards per return, set in 1993.
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
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 ISU history. Drone needs 838 yards through the air in ISU's final three games, or 279 passing yards per game, 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 well on their way to the 1,000-yard promise land this season. Blow leads the team with 740 yards rushing, while Rice has collected 721 yards on the ground.
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).
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 (CFL). 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).
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 four weekends - in a big way. Hronec collected a career-high tying 11 tackles in each of his first two games back, while leading the team in tackles in two of the four outings. Hronec now has 64 tackles on the season, including 25 solo stops and 4.5 tackles for loss. He has also collected a pair of forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
