‘Playoff atmosphere’ expected for 100th meeting between ISU, WIU

Posted on October 31, 2017

Brock Spack’s Illinois State Redbirds host Western Illinois on Saturday. (Photo by Eric Stock/WJBC)

By Eric Stock

NORMAL – It will be a battle of top 25 teams heading in different directions Saturday when the No. 12 Illinois State hosts 15th-rated Western Illinois in the 100th meeting between the two in-state rivals.

ISU is coming off back-to-back wins over ranked opponents, while the Leathernecks have lost two in row.

Redbird football coach Brock Spack said he expects a playoff atmosphere for Family Weekend at Hancock Stadium.

“I’ve said this before in my career here, but everyone remembers the games in November,” Spack said. “Don’t look now, but we are setting ourselves up for a championship run for November.

“Our goal is about championships but you can’t win a championship unless you win the game this weekend. Every Saturday will take on a playoff-type atmosphere or attitude.”

Spack said the Redbirds are expecting the Leathernecks to come hungry, coming off losses to No. 2 North Dakota State and 11th-rated South Dakota State.

“Sometime an injured animals can be very dangerous so it’s hard to worry and try to control something that’s out of your control,” Spack said.

Western leads the all-time series 50-46-3.

WJBC will have the play-by-play at 11 a.m.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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