The Racers' offensive line coach, Michael Hayes, spent a season at Western Illinois (2004) coaching the defensive line.
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 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.
Run, Rafael, Run!
In only his fourth career start, running back Rafael Rice could have made Forrest Gump jealous with his ability to run up and down the Hancock Stadium field in Thursday's opener versus Drake. Rice rushed for a career-high 218 yards on 27 carries, with nine individual carries of more than 10 yards, highlighted by a 43-yard scamper in the first quarter. Rice's rushing total was also 176 yards more than the whole Drake team combined.
A Tale of Two Halves
After the first half of Thursday's home opener versus Drake, it appeared that the Redbirds were in the driver's seat, as the Bulldogs could only muster 89 yards of offense while being held scoreless. However, Drake battled back in the second half, racking up 272 yards and 27 points to upset the then-No.7-ranked Redbirds, 27-24.
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.
Horton's Hands
Wide receiver Jason Horton caught a game- and career-high eight passes in Thursday's game versus Drake, a performance that topped his previous high of six receptions. The Bolingbrook, Ill., native finished with a game-high 119 yards receiving, only one-yard shy of tying his career-best. Horton's yardage total moved him into eighth place all-time for career receiving yards in Redbird history. He needs 127 yards for sole possession of the No. 7 spot.
Lost in Interception
It has been an unlikely trend for Luke Drone, but after throwing three interceptions in Thursday's game versus Drake, the Illinois State quarterback has been picked off 13 times in his last four games dating back to last season, while throwing for only four touchdowns during that span. These are atypical numbers for Drone, who in his first 28 games with the Redbirds has thrown 39 touchdown passes with only 15 interceptions.
Falling Short on the Third-and-Long
Statisticians would have a hay day breaking down the numbers from the 27-24 loss to Drake, but one statistic really jumps out - third-and-long. The Redbird offense was 0-for-6 converting third downs of seven yards or more, while the ISU defense surrendered a 4-for-8 success rate from the same spot.
Misfortune 500
Typically when an offense pounds out 500 yards of total offense, a victory celebration soon follows. Unfortunately, that's not always the case, as the Redbirds found out in their season opener against Drake. ISU totaled 508 yards of offensive production against the Bulldogs, but fell short, 27-24. The last time the Redbirds tallied 500-plus yards of offense and suffered a loss was on Oct. 2, 2004, when the 'Birds fell 41-38 to Indiana State in overtime, despite 523 yards of total offense.
A Change of Tate
Sophomore Jason Tate made his first-career start for the Redbirds in the season opener against Drake. In the early going, Tate seemed to make the most of his opportunity with a career game. He collected a career-high nine tackles, including six solo stops. Tate also added his first-career quarterback sack, but in a change of fate, his attempt at what appeared to be a game-securing interception bounced off his finger tips and into the arms of a Drake receiver, resulting in a game-winning 56-yard touchdown reception.
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 Gateway Football Conference, got off to a great start in the season opener against Drake with a game-high 15 tackles. So, it's only sensible that Stewart would be considered the favorite for the award this season, which would give the Redbirds six straight.
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 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 in which the Redbirds have 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. To date, the Redbirds are averaging 235 yards passing per game.
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.
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, Drone will become the most prolific passer in Illinois State history. Drone needs 2,115 yards through the air to knock former Redbird Kevin Glenn (8,251) from the top spot.
The Three Degrees of St-Pierre
While junior Jonathan St-Pierre is about to begin his second season in a Redbird uniform, 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, 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 in business administration. This year, he has started the curriculum for his master's in economics and should have that completed in May 2009.
The Dirty Dozen
Senior linebacker Kye Stewart needs just 36 tackles to become the 12th player in Illinois State history to accumulate 300 or more tackles in a career. He currently ranks No. 14 in Redbird history and needs six stops to move into sole possession of 12th place.
Getting Some Picks on Route 66
With Hancock Stadium located along nostalgic Route 66, the Redbird defense had a few kicks in 2006. The Redbirds finished the season with 17 interceptions, including three that were returned for touchdowns. The 17 picks were the highest total by an ISU defense since 1989. ISU did not intercept a pass in the season opener against Drake.
Denver Johnson - a Man of Honor
As the Redbirds opened their 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, who all received the prestigious Johnny Vaught Head Coach Award. Johnson led the Redbirds to their third trip to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs in 2006, while also being a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award last season.
Good Chance for a Grand
ISU head coach Denver Johnson has had a 1,000-yard rusher in nine of the 10 seasons in which 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. Senior tailback Rafael Rice is already one-fifth of the way there, with a career-high 218 yards rushing in the season opener against Drake.
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 145.2, which is nearly 20 points higher than the next highest ISU quarterback.
Put Up Your Dukes
Sylvester Stallone might have put the "Rocky" series to rest finally after six editions, but linebackers Bill Hronec and Tommie Westbrook might be ample replacements if a seventh movie were to be made. While at Chicago's Mt. Carmel High School, Hronec was not only an all-conference football player, but was quite a boxer, owning a 13-2 record with nine knockouts as a heavyweight on the school's boxing team. Westbrook, a product of Gordon Tech High School, also took up boxing during his senior year, training and sparring for two-to-three hours a day.
Applying the Full Nelson
That's exactly what free safety Tom Nelson did to opposing quarterbacks in 2006, as he finished the season with a team-high four interceptions. The 2005 Gateway Freshman of the Year also led the Redbirds with 10 pass break-ups, while posting 42 tackles on the season. Nelson was named to the 2007 All-Gateway Preseason Team. In 2007, Nelson collected a team-high two pass break-ups against Drake and added seven tackles.
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 and clap for. 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 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).
Gimmie a I-A ... er, FBS
When the Redbirds travel to Missouri on Sept. 22, it will be the 13th-straight season in which Illinois State has played a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent. The last time the 'Birds didn't schedule an FBS game was in 1994. It will also mark ISU's third-straight season facing a team from the Big 12, after the 'Birds played at Iowa State in 2005 and at Kansas State in 2006.
Downing the OVC
As of late, the Redbirds have been "naughty by nature" when facing the members of the Ohio Valley Conference. Illinois State has won seven-straight games against members of the OVC, including three-straight wins against Murray State and four-consecutive victories over next week's opponent, Eastern Illinois.
Nothing Attracts a Crowd, Like a Crowd
The season-opening game against Drake drew a crowd of 12,167 at Hancock Stadium. It was the largest attended season-opening game for ISU since 1982, when the Redbirds and Southern Illinois attracted 12,229 fans. The crowd at the Drake game ranks as the eighth-best attendance total for a season opener in the history of Hancock Stadium.
Closing the G.A.P.
If the Redbirds are to crack the win column this week against Murray State, they will need to eliminate the opponents' "game-altering plays." Against Drake, ISU had seven plays result in gains of 20 yards or more, but none were converted to points. Drake, on the other hand, had six plays gain 20-plus yards, including three that resulted in touchdowns.
15 Squared
Not only does 15 (squared)=255, but it also symbolizes Kye Stewart's double-digit tackle totals. Stewart collected a game-high 15 stops in the season opener against Drake, which also happened to be the 15th double-digit tackle game of his career.
Chandler Christened
Illinois State wide receiver Kelvin Chandler, a transfer from Pittsburgh, made his Redbird debut against Drake. Chandler made an immediate impact with the only ISU touchdown reception among the six players with catches. His 8-yard touchdown catch was one of four catches in the game, and he finished with 39 yards receiving.
Notable Newcomers
Since the Gateway began recognizing an all-newcomer team in 1994, 45 Redbirds have been cited for achievement in their first season. In 2006, defensive lineman Adam Blankenship and offensive linemen Brandon Joyce and Jonathan St-Pierre added their names to the list.
Another One Bites the Dust
With victories last season over Eastern Illinois (twice) and Southern Illinois, the Redbirds have posted at least one victory over a ranked foe in nine of the last 10 seasons. The Redbirds should have plenty of opportunities again this season with five opponents ranked in the preseason polls.
Cleaning the State
With the Redbirds' 24-13 win at Eastern Illinois in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs last season, it marked the fourth victory over schools from the state of Illinois in 2006. Earlier in the year, the 'Birds downed Southern Illinois, 37-10, defeated Eastern Illinois, 44-30, in the regular season, and dropped Western Illinois, 27-14. The four Redbird victories over Illinois schools were the most in-state wins by ISU since 1968, when the Redbirds downed Illinois Wesleyan, Illinois-Chicago, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Bradley all in the same season.
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).
Hail Caesar!
When Jesse Caesar returned an Eastern Illinois interception 45 yards for a game-securing touchdown in the 2006 NCAA FCS Playoffs, it marked his second-career defensive touchdown. Caesar, who returned a fumble 69 yards for a score at Iowa State in 2005, has made the move from cornerback to strong safety this season. Caesar didn't score a touchdown in the season opener against Drake, but he made his debut at strong safety with seven tackles.
