Redbirds slip into Top 25 after third straight win

Posted on November 14, 2016

jakekolbe630By ISU Sports Information

SPARTANBURG, S.C.- After finishing the regular season on a three-game winning streak with a pair of wins over top-25 ranked opponents to finish at 6-5 overall, the Illinois State football team nudged its way back into the FCS Coaches Poll at No. 25 Monday.

The Redbirds were ranked in one of the national polls through the first six games this season, but fell out of the polls following a homecoming loss to Youngstown State.  ISU jumped back into the polls, thanks to winning four of its last five contests overall and making a run at a potential FCS playoff bid with its winning record and 4-4 mark in Missouri Valley Football Conference play.

Illinois State was one of five MVFC teams ranked in this week’s FCS Coaches Poll, with North Dakota State leading the way at No. 4.  South Dakota State, whom the Redbirds beat, 38-21, three weeks ago, comes in at No. 10 and Youngstown State stays in the top-20 at No. 14 overall. In-state rival Western Illinois, who fell to the Redbirds, 31-26, two weeks ago, comes in just ahead of the Redbirds at No. 24 this week.

ISU now must wait to see if its résumé is good enough for an at-large berth in the playoffs, as eight league teams play Saturday to conclude the league’s regular-season slate.

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