NORMAL, Ill. – Coming off a 42-30 rivalry win on the road at Eastern Illinois on Saturday to improve to 2-1 on the year, Illinois State remained at No. 4 in this week's AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl. The Redbirds are one of seven Missouri Valley Football Conference teams ranked for the second-consecutive week in the poll.
The Top 5 ranking is the highest for the Redbirds since 2015, when the Birds were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country. ISU was also ranked in this week's Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll, up one spot from last week to No. 6.
North Dakota State remains the No. 1 team in the Coaches Poll with 25 first-place votes, followed by South Dakota State in second and the Redbirds in fourth. Southern Illinois (No. 11), North Dakota (No. 17), South Dakota (No. 21) and Youngstown State (No. 24) round out this week's MVFC representatives in the poll.
Illinois State returns to action on Saturday, when the Redbirds host North Alabama (1-2) in a return game from last season. Kickoff on Family Day is set for Noon on Jay and Lori Bergman Field at Hancock Stadium against the Lions.
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