By Eric Stock

NORMAL – It’s basically a must-win for the Redbirds.

Illinois State, ranked 21st in this week’s polls, closes out the regular season hosting No. 4-ranked North Dakota State on Saturday knowing the Redbirds will almost certainly need a win and some help to have any hopes to receiving a postseason bid.

At 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Redbirds would likely have to be the sixth league team to receive a bid, which would be a league first.

Coach Brock Spack said his players are still upbeat after the overtime loss at South Dakota State last week.

“After this game I think their dauber was up even a little bit higher than it has been after the other losses we’ve had,” Spack said. “I don’t know if that surprises me or not, Sometimes when you lose a real close game like that you are heartbroken.”

Spack added he’s not putting any pressure on his team heading to a must-win game to have any postseason hopes.

“Have fun, play football, I don’t bring it up,” Spack said. “That’s for us to handle as coaches. That’s what they pay us. That’s what we’re older and all washed up and not playing any more.”

Spack isn’t naming his starter at quarterback.

Redshirt freshman Malachi Broadnax made his first career start last week after Jake Kolbe started the first nine games. Broadnax passed for 102 yards and rushed for 63 yards in the loss to the Jackrabbits.

“Both players have very good attributes and sometimes one is a little bit better at something than they other one is and so you go with that,” Spack said. “That will be our decision in this game.”

WJBC will have the game starting at 11 a.m.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].