Annexstad back to lead Illinois State offensive attack in season opener

Redshirt senior Zack Annexstad returns to the Illinois State starting lineup after missing the final three games of last season with an injury. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)

By Dan Verdun

Zack Annexstad will be back under center when Illinois State opens its season Saturday afternoon at Normal’s Hancock Stadium. That’s a relief to those involved.

“We’ve got a quarterback returning who played last year, and he’s a really good player,” ISU offensive coordinator Tony Petersen said.

Annexstad, a transfer from the University of Minnesota a year ago, missed the final three games last season with a throwing shoulder injury. Illinois State (6-5) lost two of those three Missouri Valley Football Conference games.

“I’m back healthy. Everything is good,” Annexstad told Prairie State Pigskin during fall camp.

The Redbirds are certainly happy to have him back. The 23-year-old redshirt senior completed 63 percent of his passes (162 of 258) for 1,691 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall. He threw seven interceptions.

“I’m super excited this season,” Annexstad said. “Last year we showed flashes of things, but we didn’t consistently put it together and put enough points on the board.

“That’s what we have to do (this year). We truly have a chance to do something fun on offense.”

Starting center Larry Ross transferred to ISU from Stony Brook, an FCS institution in New York state. Ross was impressed with Annexstad from their initial handshake.

And it was Annexstad, the new man a year ago, who quickly introduced Ross to his new teammates.  

“My first impression of him was that he’s a very smart player and he’s a natural leader,” Ross said of Annexstad. “In the off-season, he coordinated sessions for us to go and throw around. I’d come snap for him so we could get that chemistry down. He works with wide receivers a lot and gives them tips of what he sees. The way he wants them to run routes.”

Ross firmly believes in Annexstad on the field. 

“He’s got all the talent in the world, but I think his edge is that he’s a very smart quarterback,” Ross said. “He’s going to make the right decisions at the right times for us. I’m excited for him and the whole team is excited. He’s our quarterback. He’s our guy.”

This week’s opponent

Dayton (8-3 last season) is predicted to finish third in the 11-team Pioneer League, which is a non-scholarship FCS conference.

The Flyers have a new leader, Trevor Andrews, who takes over for longtime head coach Rick Chamberlin. The 47-year-old Andrews was a three-year letterwinner at defensive back during his playing days for Dayton. Andrews spent the last four years at Western Michigan, where he was linebackers coach.

Dayton has produced 1,000-yard rushers for five straight seasons – excluding the COVID-19 2020 season.

The Flyers face a tall task replacing running back/returner Jake Chisholm, who racked up a program-record 5,603 all-purpose yards.

Dayton’s defense is led by tackle Sam Schadek, linebacker Nathan Arthur and safety Cole Hildebrand.

(Kickoff: noon; TV: Marquee Sports Network; Radio: WJBC.com)

Key matchup to watch

ISU run game vs. Dayton DL: It’s no secret that Illinois State head coach Brock Spack likes to control the line of scrimmage and run the ball. Redshirt junior Cole Mueller and redshirt sophomore Wenkers Wright – along with Northern Illinois transfer Mason Blakemore – are expected to carry the load.

What’s at stake?

Under Spack, the Redbirds are 13-0 in fall home openers. Seven of those opponents have been from the Pioneer League.

Chronologically, ISU has defeated Austin Peay, Morehead State, Dayton, Abilene Christian, Mississippi Valley State, Morgan State, Valparaiso, Butler, St. Xavier (NAIA), Morehead State, Butler and Valparaiso for those victories.

The last time ISU lost a home opener occurred in 2008 when Eastern Illinois defeated the Denver Johnson-coached Redbirds, 25-21.

Quick hits

Illinois State did lose its home opener in the MVFC-only spring 2021 schedule. South Dakota edged ISU 27-20 on Feb. 27 . . . Illinois State – ranked second to only FCS national champion South Dakota State in total defense among the 11-school Missouri Valley Football Conference last fall – must overcome several key losses including 2022 Buck Buchanan Award winner Zeke Vandenburgh . . . “The strength right now is probably our secondary. That’s the most experienced returning (unit) back. Keondre (Jackson) and Dillon (Gearhart) have played the most football. Jeff Bowens has been solid as all get out since back in spring,” said defensive coordinator Travis Niekamp . . . The Redbirds received 12 votes in the preseason FCS Coaches’ poll . . . ISU was picked seventh in the preseason MVFC poll.

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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