By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Illinois State football coach has a simple solution to address the high altitude that the Redbirds will face at Northern Arizona on Saturday.

“Didn’t mention it,” Spack declared. “We are not talking about it. We are indoors, that’s all they need to know. They’ll be fine.”

The No. 7 Redbirds will put their 4-0 record on the line as they take on the Lumberjacks at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff in the Big Sky/Missouri Valley Football Conference Challenge.

Flagstaff is 6,910 feet above sea level.

Spack said he has experience coaching in high altitudes like his Redbirds will be doing on Saturday at Northern Arizona. He says it’s mostly mind over matter.

“I coached at the University of Wyoming and I’d go over and see all those oxygen tanks over there and see all those coats and I’d say it’s going to be a good day,” Spack said.

Spack says his team might need to use his reserves more, but says that’s nothing new for his team.

Spack had his team practice on Sunday, which is rare after a win. He said he saw a lot that needed to be fixed after the Redbirds saw Indiana State eat into their big first half lead.

“(The media) gave us so much credit last week about our halftime adjustments, it went the other direction this week,” Spack said. “You gave me great cannon fodder.”

WJBC will have the play-by-play starting at 5 p.m.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].