NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State seniors E.J. Jones and Chris Riley will have at least one more chance to play in a collegiate football game, as the duo have been selected to play in the inaugural FCS Senior Scout Bowl presented by the Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL).
Jones and Riley are the first Redbird players to participate in a post-season all-star game since 2008, when Isaiah Wiggins suited up in the Texas vs. The National Bowl. The FCS Senior Football Bowl will bring players who represent 124 FCS Division football programs, to a North vs. South format all-star game at Faller Field in Hillburn, N.Y., on Saturday, December 11 at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Direct TV channel 617 and on cable systems on the Fox College Sports Network (FCS).
Jones played in all 11 games, with 10 starts at cornerback, and led the team and Missouri Valley Football Conference with seven interceptions. The Edwardsville, Ill., native finished his career with 13 career interceptions, tied for third on the all-time ISU list, and his seven interceptions this season tied for fourth in the ISU single-season record book and tied him for third in the country overall. Jones recorded an interception in three-straight games against South Dakota State, Missouri State and Southern Illinois and finished the season with 34 tackles, including 23 solo stops.
Riley started all 11 games at right tackle and was the most consistent Redbird offensive lineman throughout his four-year career with the Redbirds. The four-year letterwinner from Wadsworth, Ill., started in 31 career games on the offense line, including the final 27 of his career in a row. Riley helped anchor the offensive line unit that helped ISU post 4,279 yards on the season, the eighth-best single season mark in school history, and the second-best passing offense in the conference.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
