Youngstown State: Jon Heacock (Muskingum, 1983) is in his eight season at Youngstown State and owns a 52-38 (.578) record with the Penguins. YSU is his only head coaching position after serving as an assistant coach at Youngstown State, Indiana State and Army.
- Illinois State was home to the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Year each season from 2002-06.
- The Redbirds had at least one player selected in the NFL Draft each year from 2005-07.
- In each of the past three years, ISU student-athletes have contributed more than 2,000 hours of community service to the Bloomington-Normal area.
- Redbird student-athletes posted a school-record 3.05 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) during the fall 2007 semester.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT
- Youngstown State is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and has an enrollment of 13,497. The Penguins are members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
- The Penguins return 15 starters, including eight on offense, from a team that posted a 7-4 record last season.
- Youngstown State was picked to finish third in the preseason Valley Football poll and received one first-place vote. The Penguins had four student-athletes named to the preseason team, including wide receiver Ferlando Williams and offensive lineman Brad Samsa. Defensive lineman Mychal Savage also received first-team honors, while tight end Derrick Bush was named honorable mention.
- Savage has only played in one game this season and is out for the season with a rotator cuff injury. Williams has been out the last two games with a staph infection and Bush has been slowed with an elbow injury.
TIES WITH THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT
- San Antonio, Texas, will be well represented in today's game. Illinois State's Brandon Wilson and Youngstown State's Jabari Scott were teammates at San Antonio's John Jay High School in 2002, before Scott transferred to Taft High School. Also on that Taft High School football team was YSU sophomore strong safety Nick Gooden. Also hailing from San Antonio, Texas, are the Redbirds' Kelvyn Hemphill (O'Connor) and Jermaine Malcolm (Holmes).
- The Redbirds' Kyle Siskowic (Clairemont HS) and the Penguins' Kevin Smith (Helix HS) both hail from San Diego.
- Illinois State has just three players on its roster from the state of Ohio and all three are true freshmen who are being redshirted this season: Pete Cary (Cincinnati/TurpinHS); Brian Hehl (Toledo/Sylvania Northview HS); and Jon Ingerman (Springfield/Northeastern HS). Youngstown State, not surprisingly, boasts 59 players on its roster from Ohio.
- Youngstown State Assistant Media Relations Director Jamie Hall worked as a graduate assistant in the Illinois State Athletics Media Relations Office in the mid-1990s. Hall received his master's degree from ISU in 1996.
GETTING SICK OFF HOME COOKIN'
Home may be where the heart is, but for the Redbirds that hasn't resulted in wins. In Illinois State's last eight home games, the Redbirds have a 2-6 record, including four-straight losses dating back to last season.
ALL-AMERICAN U.
ISU has produced at least one All-American player in 22 of the last 25 seasons. Over the last eight seasons, 30 players from 12 different positions have been honored. Kye Stewart was an All-America selection in 2007.
IN THE YEAR 2001!
Paraphrasing part of Conan O'Brien's infamous "In the Year 2000!" skit, the last time Illinois State started 0-3 at Hancock Stadium was during head coach Denver Johnson's second season at the helm of the Redbirds. That year, ISU went 2-4 at Hancock Stadium after starting its home campaign with consecutive losses to Southeast Missouri State, then-No. 19 Texas State and then-No. 14 Western Illinois. Against Youngstown State, the Redbirds will try to avoid an 0-4 start at home, which hasn't happened since 1965.
A FIRST IN 20 YEARS
With last Saturday's loss to North Dakota State, the Redbirds sealed their fate with their first back-to-back home losing seasons since 1987-88. The Redbirds were just 2-3 at Hancock Stadium in 2007, while they own a 0-3 mark thus far this season at home with only one more home contest left on the schedule after today's game against Youngstown State. ISU finished 2-3 in 1987 and 1-5 in 1988 during its last string of consecutive home losing campaigns.
HAVEN'T SEEN THIS SINCE THE 34-CENT STAMP
Just as it was quite an anomaly for Illinois State to play four of its first five games on the road to start the season - a 99-year anomaly to be precise - it has also been a while since the Redbirds last played threestraight games at home. The year was 2001, and during head coach Denver Johnson's second season at ISU, the Redbirds hosted Northern Iowa (Oct. 27), Western Kentucky (Nov. 3) and Indiana State (Nov. 10) for three-consecutive home games. ISU was 2-1 in those games, including a surprising 42-14 upset of then-No. 9 Northern Iowa. So far on this homestand, the Redbirds have posted an 0-2 mark.
A MODERN-DAY M.A.S.H. UNIT
As if it wasn't enough that actor McLean Stevenson, who played Colonel Blake on the famed television series "M.A.S.H.," is a Bloomington, Ill., native, the Illinois State football team took it a step further in last Saturday's loss to No. 25 North Dakota State to create a bond to the award-winning television series. The Redbirds compiled their own Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) unit of sorts, as the postgame injury report included 15 names, including eight starters.
HOLTZ PUTS A HALT TO AN OFFENSE
When the Redbirds' leading tackler Kelvyn Hemphill left the game with a stinger in the first quarter against North Dakota State last Saturday, local product Brent Holtz was put into action. Holtz had entered the contest without a single tackle in his previous five games played. He responded with a career-best 15 tackles, including six solo stops against the North Dakota State offense.
CHANDLER GOES LONG
For the fourth time this season and for the second-straight game, Illinois State senior wide receiver Kelvin Chandler posted a career-long reception last Saturday versus North Dakota State. In the season-opener at Marshall, Chandler hauled in a 39-yard catch, which was topped by his 43-yard touchdown reception against Eastern Illinois. Again Chandler bettered that mark against Missouri State with a 46-yard catch, but his 51-yard grab last Saturday against No. 25 North Dakota State currently stands as his career best.
BE KIND, DON'T REWIND
Now that North Dakota State is a Missouri Valley Football Conference member, the Redbirds are hoping the Bison will use a different script against them. In the two meetings between the two schools, the offensive firepower of the Bison has been redundant. In last Saturday's game, Tyler Roehl rushed for 229 yards. The last time a running back ran for 200-plus yards against the Redbirds: Roehl in 2007. Roehl and Paschall each rushed for 100-plus yards in the Oct. 25 win. The last time ISU gave up 100 yards to two opponent running backs: Roehl and Paschall in 2007. NDSU also rushed for 413 yards this year against the Redbirds, which was three yards less than its 416 rushing yards in 2007 - the last time an opponent ran for 400-plus yards against a Redbird defense.
A GROUND TURNAROUND
Heading into last Saturday's game against North Dakota State, the lowest the Redbirds had rushed for on the season was 98 yards in the season opener at Marshall. The most rushing yards allowed by the ISU defense was the 229 yards also by Marshall. That all changed against NDSU, as the Bison rushed for a season-high 413 yards against the Redbirds and held ISU to a season low 51 yards.
NEEDING A COUGH SUPPRESSANT
ISU's opponents may think that the Redbirds are a little sick this year, judging by the number of times they have coughed the ball up on offense. Illinois State ranks No. 116 out of 118 FCS teams in turnover margin, owning a -1.71 turnover margin. ISU did little to help that stat against North Dakota State last Saturday, as the Redbirds threw two interceptions and had a fumble, while only forcing one NDSU fumble.
THE THREE DEGREES OF ST-PIERRE
While Jonathan St-Pierre is in his third season with the Redbirds, he has already walked across the stage to receive two degrees, a bachelor's in economics from Illinois State and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Miami (Fla.). The Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, native is on pace to finish with three degrees by the time he leaves ISU in 2009. He is currently working on his master's degree in economics and is on target to have it completed in May 2009. In addition to three degrees, St-Pierre was also selected in the second round of the 2008 Canadian Football League Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
IT'S IN THEIR BLOOD ... THE NFL, THAT IS
Your upbringing plays a central role in the type of person you grow up to be, and in the case of three current Redbirds, their upbringing as collegiate football players includes NFL ties. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Kiel's uncle, Blair Kiel, had a seven-year career in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts, after starring at Notre Dame. Cornerback Kelvyn Hemphill also comes from an NFL bloodline, as his father, Darryl Hemphill, was drafted by the New York Jets and played one season with the Baltimore Colts. In addition, quarterback Preston Earl is the son of former Chicago Bear fullback Robin Earl.
 | ABOUT THE OFFENSE |
- Under head coach Denver Johnson, Illinois State has produced the single-season record holder in both rushing and receiving, along with the No. 1 career receiver, the No. 2 career passer and the No. 2 career rusher.
- Illinois State has scored at least one touchdown in every game dating back to Nov. 20, 2004 (42-straight games).
- Under Johnson, ISU has rushed for at least 200 yards 41 times, including 27 times since 2003.
- During the same time, the Redbird offense has totaled 22 games with 500 or more yards of total offense and 15 games with 300 or more passing yards.
GETTING PICKED ON
Illinois State quarterbacks Kevin Brockway and Drew Kiel have combined to throw 10 interceptions this season, but the telling part of that statistic is the fact that nine of those picks have come in the last four games. Over that span, the Redbirds are throwing an average of 2.25 interceptions per game.
HUSHING THE RUSH
For the 22nd time in the Denver Johnson-era, Illinois State was held to less than 100 yards rushing in last Saturday's game against North Dakota State. The Redbirds gained 51 yards on 28 carries, which was the lowest ISU rushing total since an 18-yard performance against Youngstown State Oct. 28, 2006. Heading into the game against NDSU, the Redbirds were averaging 227 yards per game on the ground.
THIS KID DOESN'T KIEL UNDER PRESSURE
As the Redbirds have learned this season, it is good to have a reliable back-up quarterback. Throughout the year, starter Kevin Brockway has battled various minor injuries, and redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Kiel has been ready at a moment's notice. In his 12 full drives leading the Redbird offense, Kiel has led Illinois State to six touchdowns. He also led two drives started by Brockway and led each of them to scores with both a touchdown and a field goal.
THE KID IS EFFICIENT, TOO
Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Kiel has made the most of his opportunities and his passing efficiency rating shows. After his five games played, Kiel owns a 147.35 pass rating, which is the highest passer rating by a Redbird quarterback with at least 22 pass attempts since Luke Drone's 2005 season. In his first season as a starting quarterback, Drone ended the 2005 season with a 153.23 passer rating.
POWER IN NUMBERS
More than likely, Illinois State will not have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2008. That statement coupled with the fact that the Redbirds totaled 51 yards on the ground last Saturday against North Dakota State, does not do the ISU rushing game justice. The Redbirds have used four tailbacks throughout the season, and collectively, the group has accumulated 1,269 rushing yards on 233 carries for 5.4 yard per attempt average. The quartet has also accumulated 14 rushing touchdowns and the Redbirds rank No. 15 nationally in rushing offense with 201.86 yards per game.
NO NEED TO SHARE
Prior to the North Dakota State game, the Redbirds were among the nation's leaders in time of possession. However, the Bison gave the Redbirds a taste of their own medicine and dominated the time of possession in last Saturday's 25-7 victory. It was only the second time all season where the Redbirds did not hold the ball longer than their opponent. NDSU had possession for 36 minutes and 41 seconds to join Eastern Illinois as the only teams to better the Redbirds in TOP this season.
BLOW-ING INTO THE TOP-FIVE
It all started last season when junior tailback Geno Blow burst onto the Valley Football scene with five-straight 100-yard rushing games. Now, after his second 100-yard rushing game of the 2008 season, a season-high 140-yard effort against Missouri State, Blow has moved into a three-way tie for fifth all-time at Illinois State in career 100-yard rushing games with seven. The junior from Seabrook, Texas, has a way to go to break the ISU career 100-yard rushing game record, which was set at 17 by Toby Davis (1989-92).
| ABOUT THE DEFENSE |
- Illinois State returns eight starters from a defense that ranked No. 102 last season nationally among 116 teams. The Redbirds allowed 427.9 yards per game, including 230.1 yards per game rushing. The ISU rushing defense ranked No. 110 nationally.
- Assistant coach David Ross enters his first season as the defensive coordinator at Illinois State and his third with the Redbird staff.
- In the Denver Johnson-era, the Redbird defense has held its opponent without a touchdown eight times, including once this season in the 57-6 win at Indiana State.
- This season at Indiana State, the Redbird defense held the Sycamores to 113 yards of total offense, which is the lowest team yardage allowed by the 'Birds in a Missouri Valley Football Conference game.
TOTAL RECALL
Over the first four games of the season, the Redbirds held their opponents to under 400 yards of total offense in each contest. Unfortunately, for Illinois State, that scenario has not been the case in threestraight games. UNI started the trend Oct. 11 when it gained a then-season-high 416 yards of total offense against the Redbirds, only to be outdone by Missouri State's season-high 444 yards of total offense against ISU. Both marks were topped last Saturday, when North Dakota State posted 479 yards of total offense.
AND ISU'S MAGIC NUMBER IS SIX
For the Illinois State football team, six appears to be the magic number this season - as in, if the Redbirds allow six-or-fewer plays of more than 20 yards, then they win the game. If ISU gives up more than six 20-plus-yard plays, well that's a whole different story. The Redbirds are 2-0 this season when allowing six-or-fewer plays in a game of 20-or-more yards, but 0-5 when giving up more than six such plays.
IF YOU CAN'T PICK `EM, IT'S HARD TO WIN `EM If a football team is going to be successful, one thing its defense must do is pick up a few interceptions throughout the course of a season. Unfortunately, for Illinois State, it has struggled throughout the last two seasons to record interceptions. The Redbirds have just one interception through seven games this season. Compare that to Redbird opponents, which have picked off 10 ISU passes already this season. Last season, ISU recorded only six interceptions, while its opponents racked up 17 picks.
NOT GIVING THE THIRD-DEGREE
Prior to the Homecoming loss to Missouri State, Illinois State ranked sixth in the nation in third-down defense, having allowed just 18 first downs on third-down conversion attempts by its opponents through the Redbirds' first five games. That success has taken a hiatus in the last two games, as Illinois State opponents have converted 18-of-28 (.643) third-down conversions. Now, the Redbirds rank No. 64 nationally in third-down conversion defense.
WHO'S GOT NEXT?
For the last six seasons, the Missouri Valley Football Conference's top tackler has worn an Illinois State uniform. Three-time league defensive player of the year Boomer Grigsby set the stage by leading the conference in stops in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Former Redbird linebacker Cameron Siskowic followed suit with back-to-back tackle titles in 2005 and 2006, and Kye Stewart led the league last season with 131 stops. Kelvyn Hemphill has been the odds-on-favorite after leading the Redbirds in stops in five of the first seven games of the 2008 season. He ranks No. 25 nationally and leads the Valley with his 9.7 stops per game average.
THE BUCK STOPS HERE
The Buck Buchanan Award is presented annually by The Sports Network to the nation's best NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) defensive player. When acquiring a list of potential candidates, or a watch list, Illinois State is as good of place to start as any. Since 2002, the Redbirds have had one player finish in the top-five of the Buck Buchanan Award voting in each season. Even though Illinois State hasn't been able to claim the top honor, a Redbird has finished second twice and third twice. Here is a list of ISU's Buck Buchanan Award finalists:
- 2002 - Boomer Grigsby (LB) - Third
- 2003 - Boomer Grigsby (LB) - Second
- 2004 - Boomer Grigsby (LB) - Third
- 2005 - Brent Hawkins (DE) - Second; Cameron Siskowic (LB) - 13th
- 2006 - Cameron Siskowic (LB) - Fifth
- 2007 - Kye Stewart (LB) - Fourth
| ABOUT THE SPECIAL TEAMS |
- Under head coach Denver Johnson, Illinois State has scored four touchdowns on special teams, with two punt returns, including Tom Nelson's 82-yard return this season at Murray State, and one each via blocked punt and kickoff return. The Redbirds also have one extra-point return during that time.
- The Redbirds have blocked 24 kicks since 2000, including a blocked extra point this season by Michael Rhines against North Dakota State.
MAKING PR WORK FOR YOU Entering Saturday's game against Youngstown State, the Redbirds, thanks to their PR (punt return) practitioner Tom Nelson, rank No. 2 nationally in the FCS in punt return average. The Redbirds are averaging 21.5 yards per game, and Nelson is No. 1 individually in punt returns with 22.0 yards per return.
GOOD PR GOES AGAINST YOU
Having good PR shouldn't be a negative, but in regards to a good punt return, it can be. Since the Redbirds have ranked among the national leaders in punt returns all season, ISU opponents haven't given the Redbirds and Tom Nelson a lot of chances to return punts. In the last three games, the Redbirds have one punt return for three yards.
IT TAKES SOMEONE SPECIAL
Illinois State has had a total of 26 players record at least one tackle this season on special teams. Those 26 players have racked up a total of 71 tackles, but it is the effort of one player that has stood out from everyone: junior cornerback Jason Tate. The Lake Mary, Fla., native has totaled a team-high 10 specialteams tackles this season, all on kickoff returns, and is fifth on the team in total tackles with 32. Just behind Tate is Clifton Gordon with eight special-teams tackles and Ray Sankey and E.J. Jones, each with six. Gordon leads the team on punt coverage with five tackles.
PRETTY GOOD WITH THE NET
Illinois State ranks No. 2 nationally in net punting with 38 yards per kick, which is also tops in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Much of this can be attributed to Bobby Kelsey's 43.1 punting average, which ranks No. 10 nationally, but it also shows the Redbird punt coverage team is getting downfield and making tackles.
A FULL NELSON
Well, it was almost the full length of the field, when senior Tom Nelson returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown at Murray State. It was Illinois State's first punt-return touchdown since Joe Walkins ran in a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown against Youngstown State Oct. 23, 2004. Nelson's punt return also marked the fourth-longest in Illinois State history and the second-longest to be returned for a touchdown.
HAVING KOR VALUES
For the Illinois State kickoff return team, the value has been simple in recent history - have a return average of at least 20 yards per kickoff return. That has been the case for the last six seasons and 2008 in no different as the Redbirds are averaging 21.1 yards per kickoff return. Tom Nelson is the leading returner with 22.8 yards per kick. The last time ISU didn't average at least 20 yards per kickoff return was in 2002, when the Redbirds posted a 19.1 yards per return average.
KELSEY GETS HIS KICKS
Illinois State's Bobby Kelsey is in his final season with the Redbirds. Kelsey started his ISU career as a field-goal kicker, but has evolved into one of the conference's top punters.
- Kelsey currently ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 2 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in punting with 43.1 yards per punt.
- Kelsey ranks No. 3 in school history with a 40.19 career punting average.
- He has accumulated 4,743 yards on 118 punts during his career, including 77 yards on one punt earlier this season at Murray State, his career long.
- In his career, Kelsey has pinned 39 punts inside the 20-yard line, had 17 punts total 50 yards or more and had 24 called for a fair catch. He has also never had a punt blocked.
- Kelsey has also been willing to go downfield and make the tackle during his career. Kelsey has posted 25 tackles as a Redbird, including 16 solo stops.
