Linebacker Tye Niekamp (46) and the Illinois State defense will face a South Dakota State team Saturday that is averaging more than 44 points a game. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
Illinois State is hosting its lone night game of the season Saturday.
Playing against the nation’s No. 1 team and defending national champions.
And promoting a “blackout” with the team wearing its alternate uniforms.
All of those things make Saturday’s 6 p.m. Missouri Valley Football Conference game for the Redbirds (3-1 overall, 1-0 MVFC) a unique event.
But despite South Dakota State (4-0, 1-0) coming to town, ISU players are approaching it as a normal game day.
“We’re treating this game as any other game,” leading receiver Daniel Sobkowicz said. “Obviously, they’re a great team but I feel like it’s more about us than anyone else. Of course, we watch film (and prepare), but at the end of the day it’s about us.”
ISU – ranked No. 22 in the American Football Coaches Association poll this week – is coming off of a bye week and is three weeks removed from its only loss of the season, 14-13 at Eastern Illinois.
“That Eastern game got us back on track,” Sobkowicz said. “That loss started to help us focus on us being us and not what team is good and what team is bad.”
Spack said the bye week provided the team with some positive steps.
“We’re getting sharper in just about all phases of the game,” he said. “We feel good about our team, but you have to go out there and do it when the pressure’s on.”
SDSU brings the nation’s second-highest scoring offense (44.2 points per game) and the fifth-ranked defense (12.75 points).
“They’re a very experienced team,” Spack said. “They have a lot of fifth- and sixth-year seniors.”
Seniors Garret Greenfield (tackle), Mason McCormick (guard) and running back Isaiah Davis (running back) all were first-team preseason All-America selections, while junior quarterback Mark Gronowski of Naperville was a second-team choice. In addition, the SDSU defensive depth chart features 15 seniors.
Spack said running back Mason Blakemore (shoulder) is cleared to play after getting injured against EIU, while fellow back Wenkers Wright (ankle) will be a game-time decision.
SDSU first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers said he expects a challenge from ISU’s defense, which leads the nation in sacks (20) and ranks No. 4 in fewest points allowed (12.25 a game).
“They’re really explosive on defense. They have a lot of good athletes,” he said, highlighting ISU senior defensive lineman Josh Dinga and junior linebacker Amir Abdullah.
This week’s opponent
SDSU is riding a school-record 18-game winning streak and has been No. 1 in both national polls all season. However, they are playing their first true road game this season Saturday in Normal. “We’ve got a mature football team,” Rogers said during his weekly media session. “Keeping them engaged and understanding the importance of the game isn’t the biggest of challenges. The majority of our team has (played on the road) 20 to 25 times.” … One of the most impressive things about SDSU is its third-down conversions. “Check that out,” Spack told reporters during his weekly press conference. “It’s very, very impressive.” The Jackrabbits rank No. 1 nationally in FCS with a 64.7% success rate on third downs. … SDSU senior linebacker Adam Bock will start in his return from injury. He also was chosen as Stats Perform preseason All-American. … McCormick, a 6-5, 315-pounder, is the reigning MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week after six knockdown blocks and a 93% grade in SDSU’s 42-21 win last week against North Dakota.
Kickoff: 6 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus and Marquee; Radio: WJBC.com.
Key matchup to watch
ISU secondary vs. SDSU passing game: Gronowski has leaned on a veteran group of targets, including senior twin brothers Jaxon and Jaden Janke, who stand 6-foot-3. With 16 catches and 205 yards, Jaxon Janke leads the team in both categories. Jaden is averaging 10 yards a catch, while 6-7, 260-pound senior tight end Zach Heins has eight catches, including two for touchdowns. “That obviously doesn’t hurt,” Spack said of Gronowski. “(Those are) guys he’s played with his whole career and he’s very familiar with.” ISU’s secondary includes only three players on the two-deep depth chart who have started double-digit games in their career.
What’s at stake?
Illinois State takes a major step up in class this weekend against the defending national champions. During the non-conference schedule, ISU played only one team with a winning record while getting off to a 3-1 start. This a big test to see where the Redbirds stand in the MVFC and on a national stage.
Quick hits
In a strength vs. strength matchup, ISU’s defense is allowing only 58 yards per game on the ground. SDSU’s offense is piling up 247.8 yards on the ground. “We believe in running the football,” Rogers said. “Davis is a special player and we’re lucky to have him. It’s going to come down to who can establish the offensive side of the ball. We need to outplay their defense.” … Transfer tight end Cam Grandy has been a reliable target in the ISU passing game. The Central Illinois native is the second-leading receiver with 18 catches for 205 yards and a touchdown. … Ten different ISU players have at least one sack, led by Abdullah’s 5.5, while 13 defenders have at least one tackle for loss. Abdullah also leads that category with seven. … Rogers played linebacker at SDSU and was elevated from defensive coordinator after last season’s national title game when longtime coach John Stiegelmeier retired. “It’s business as usual for them, just with a different voice,” Spack said.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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