PHILADELPIA - The Illinois State football team moved to 4-0 on the season for the first time since 1967, and that resulted in the Redbirds moving up three spots in the FCS Coaches Poll and up two spots in The Sports Network FCS Top 25 Poll Monday.
The Redbirds moved up three spots to No. 12 in the FCS Coaches Poll and received 350 points, following a 23-3 defeat over Western Illinois in the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener Saturday in Macomb, Ill. ISU also moved up a couple spots to No. 13 in The Sports Network FCS Top 25 Poll, with 2,223 points.
Once again, the Missouri Valley Football Conference was well represented in both polls, with five teams ranked in the TSN poll and four in the FCS Coaches Poll. Reigning FCS National Champion North Dakota State maintained its No. 1 ranking in both polls, after posting a dominating win against Prairie View A&M.
Youngstown State moved up a spot in the TSN poll and is now ranked No. 3 on both listings, following its 42-35 win over fellow MVFC ranked foe Northern Iowa Saturday. Despite the loss, the Panthers stayed afloat in both polls at No. 14 (FCS) and No. 17 (TSN), respectively.
The newest Valley Football team to be ranked is South Dakota State at No. 25 in the TSN poll. The Jackrabbits catapulted into the rankings after knocking off Indiana State Saturday, which forced the Sycamores out of both polls for the first time this season.
The Redbirds return to the field Saturday, Sept. 29, when they travel to Vermillion, S.D., to face off against South Dakota, which will play its first ever MVFC game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Dakota Dome.
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