Sept. 17, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
Not only did Illinois State defeat then-ranked No. 14 Eastern Illinois, 24-21, in Charleston, Ill., last Saturday, but the Redbirds also took the Panthers' spot in the top-25 polls, earning a No. 14 ranking by both The Sports Network and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) coaches polls.
The victory over EIU moved the Redbirds up three positions in The Sports Network Top-25 Poll, while improving one place in the FCS Coaches Poll. Eastern Illinois fell to No. 20 in The Sports Network and received a No. 22 ranking by the FCS head coaches.
The Gateway Football Conference continues to have five of its seven members, including Illinois State, ranked in both polls, as Northern Iowa, Youngstown State and Southern Illinois are in the top-10 of each poll.
Including pre and postseason polls, the Redbirds have now been ranked in the top-25 for 21-straight weeks.
The No. 14-ranked Redbirds will return to action Saturday, when Illinois State travels to Missouri. The Tigers are ranked No. 25 by both the Associated Press and USA Today. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
