Illinois State head coach Brock Spack is doused by his team following the 2021 victory at Eastern Illinois that made him the Redbirds’ career wins leader. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
It’s back to where his coaching career really took off for Illinois State’s Brock Spack. And this year, there’s a new twist.
After serving as a graduate assistant at Purdue, his alma mater, Spack spent one season at Division III Wabash College in Indiana.
Then he got his first taste of Division I football when Purdue offensive coordinator Bob Spoo was hired as Eastern Illinois head coach. Spoo chose Spack as an assistant on his first EIU staff in 1987.
Spack spent four seasons in Charleston before returning to Purdue to coach linebackers. During his time at EIU, Spack recruited Chris Wilkerson out of Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis.
“He was a great kid,” Spack said. “He was a really scrappy and athletic defensive lineman.”
Today, Wilkerson is in his second season as EIU head coach. And though the two faced each other in last year’s Mid-America Classic rivalry game in Normal, Saturday marks the first time Spack and Wilkerson will go head-to-head at O’Brien Field in Charleston.
It’s something Spack doesn’t particularly enjoy.
“It’s like Coach Spoo, I hated playing against him, but hey, it’s Eastern Illinois. You’ve got to get ready to play,” he said.
Spack squared off with Spoo three times (2009-11) with the mentor winning two of three. The Mid-America Classic traveling trophy was established in 2011, Spoo’s 25th and final season at Eastern.
The Panthers hired former EIU assistant Dino Babers from Baylor as Spoo’s successor for the 2012 season.
“We were on the same staff,” Spack said of Babers. “We used to run sprints together at Eastern and then later we played noon (basket)ball together at Purdue (where we were both assistants). Our families are very close.”
For the record, Spack and Babers split their two head-to-head meetings with ISU winning in 2012 and EIU triumphing in 2013.
“Dino left (after the ’13 season for FBS Bowling Green),” Spack said, “and I said this (series) will be easier.”
And it was for the next eight years as EIU hired first Kim Dameron (2014-18) and then Adam Cushing (2019-21) as head coaches.
“Now Chris is there, a guy I recruited. I’m getting old,” the 61-year-old Spack said shaking his head.
Wilkerson is fully aware of Spack’s success.
“Coach Spack has been there awhile,” he said. “He’s got a strong culture. They are very, very firm in their identity as a football program.”
(Kickoff: 2 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WJBC.com)
Key matchup to watch
Illinois State run game vs. EIU defense
In last Saturday’s 34-18 win at Western Illinois, the Redbirds (2-0) ran the ball 41 times for 276 yards (6.7 per carry average).
Mason Blakemore rushed for a career-high 170 yards and three touchdowns en route to being named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
Blakemore, a Northern Illinois transfer, is no stranger to Eastern. He carried the ball five times for 35 yards and a touchdown in NIU’s 34-27 season-opening win over EIU last year.
Redbird left tackle Hunter Zambrano was named MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Western.
Meanwhile, the Panthers (1-1) have had mixed results against the run this season. EIU allowed just 2.8 yards per carry and 101 net rushing yards in a season-opening shutout of Indiana State. EIU gave up 4.1 yards per carry and 141 net rushing yards in last week’s loss at FBS Bowling Green.
What’s at stake?
Illinois State has dominated the rivalry of late. The Redbirds have won five straight in the series. Spack is 9-4 against EIU.
Quick hits
Earlier this week, Illinois State debuted at No. 25 in the FCS Coaches Poll. … After Ian Wagner missed an extra point against Western Illinois, Spack replaced the redshirt sophomore kicker with Josh Jasek. Wagner is still feeling ill effects from a surgery two off-seasons ago. “We’re trying to take a little bit off Ian’s plate. It’s been a lot for him. When he plants his foot, it puts a lot of stress on the leg with the rod in it,” Spack said. “It’s sore, and it’s hurt his accuracy a little bit.” Wagner has made both of his field goal attempts thus far and 5-of-6 extra points. Jasek is 4-for-4 on PATs. … Spack said Jasek will likely kick Saturday. … Blakemore is ISU’s leading rusher with 245 yards on 23 carries (10.7 average) and four TDs. … Cole Mueller (83 yards) and Wenker Wright (72) are the Redbirds’ other main ball carriers. … Two years ago, Mueller ran for 144 yards as ISU defeated EIU, 31-24. Mueller missed last year’s game after sustaining a season-ending injury in the opener at Wisconsin.
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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