ISU gridders ready to start practice

Posted on August 5, 2016
ISU offensive line
ISU returns all five of its starting offensive linemen from a year ago. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – With back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference championships and two straight trips to the FCS playoffs in its rear view mirror, Illinois State’s football team begins its journey for a third title and another to trip to the FCS national championship game when the Redbirds begin fall training camp Sunday at Hancock Stadium.

 Players report to campus Saturday with the first practice Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The team will have 15 practices, before wrapping up fall camp Aug. 20, with the annual Red-White Scrimmage as part of Redbird Fan Fair.

The squad returns 15 starters (nine offense, six defense) from last year’s team and features five players, who were selected to the MVFC preseason team.  Included in the group are 2015 All-MVFC first-team selections Anthony Warrum (wide receiver) and center Mark Spelman, along with offensive lineman Kyle Avaloy, fullback Brady Tibbits and defensive back Alec Kocour. Spelman, Avaloy and Warrum were also selected as preseason All-Americans by STATS.

The Redbirds have has posted a 23-5 record over the past two seasons and earned a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference championship along with five-time defending FCS national champion, North Dakota State both years.

Following a heart-breaking loss to the Bison in the 2014 FCS national championship game, the Redbirds responded with 10 wins last year and advanced to the FCS quarterfinals for the third time in the past four seasons.

Led by eight-year coach Brock Spack, who has a 56-29 record), the Redbirds are working to make the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time in program history.

ISU opens the season at Hancock Stadium Sept. 3, against Valparaiso at 6 p.m.

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