Redshirt freshman middle linebacker Tye Niekamp is tied for the team lead in tackles for Illinois State as a first-time starter. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Barry Bottino
When Tye Niekamp envisioned his redshirt freshman season at Illinois State, he had a reasonable vision.
“Going into this year, it was really just being a special teams guy and if something happened at linebacker, stepping in and helping out,” he said. “It kind of changed really fast.”
Those changes included the surprise transfer of veteran linebacker Kenton Wilhoit last spring and a season-ending injury to projected starter Cade Campos in late August.
“I prepared like I was going to start from the beginning, even though that probably wasn’t going to happen,” Niekamp said.
“Then it did happen.”
Niekamp will start his sixth consecutive game of the season at 2 p.m. Saturday against Indiana State in the Redbirds’ homecoming game.
Playing middle linebacker for Illinois State (3-2 overall, 1-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference), Niekamp is tied for the team lead in tackles (39) while also leading the Redbirds with five pass breakups and three quarterback hurries.
“It’s pretty special for me,” Niekamp said. “I never really expected to be on the field this early.”
Football has been part of Niekamp’s life for years. His father, Travis, is in his sixth season as ISU’s defensive coordinator and has made coaching stops at five different schools after his playing career as a Redbirds defensive lineman.
“My memories with my dad are mainly at practice with him,” Tye Niekamp said. “During fall camp or spring practice, if I didn’t have school, I’d go up there with him. The players would want to hang out with you, and when you’re a 10-year-old kid, that’s pretty cool.”
Players from other teams are now taking notice. After Saturday’s 40-21 loss to No. 1 South Dakota State, Illinois State head coach Brock Spack said SDSU All-American guard Mason McCormick approached him to praise Niekamp.
“That’s pretty cool,” Niekamp said. “I feel like I have a decent football IQ and awareness around the field. I feel like I see things faster at (middle linebacker).”
He played linebacker and tight end at Normal Community High School and offensive and defensive line as a youth player.
While growing up, Niekamp relied on his father’s feedback to improve. Today, he’s doing the same.
“When I came here, it was a comfort thing,” he said. “I can bounce ideas off of him or ask him questions. It really helps.”
Some of the questions get a unique response, though.
“If I ask him a dumb question, he’s probably going to say it’s a dumb question,” Niekamp said with a laugh. “There’s a lot of that.”
This week’s opponent
The Indiana State offense has had a rough start to the season. The Sycamores (0-5, 0-2) are averaging 12.4 points a game and rank in the bottom 30 nationally in eight different offensive categories. The recent return of quarterback Cade Chambers, the reigning MVFC Freshman of the Year, has resulted in two close losses the past two weeks – 30-28 against Murray State and 27-20 to Northern Iowa. “He makes a big difference,” Spack said. Chambers completed 67% of his passes during his first two games back. … Redshirt sophomore Maddix Blackwell has been the star of the Indiana State defense. A two-year starter at free safety, Blackwell has a team-high 40 tackles, along with two fumble recoveries, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
(Kickoff: 2 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus and Marquee; Radio: WJBC.com)
Key matchup to watch
ISU RB Mason Blakemore vs. Indiana State rush defense: A transfer from Northern Illinois, Blakemore ranks third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 88.5 rushing yards a game and has the second-most touchdowns (six) in the league this season. By contrast, the Sycamores have allowed 12 TDs on the ground and rank ninth against the run with 171.2 yards allowed.
What’s at stake?
A win Saturday would put the Redbirds at 4-2 heading into two critical MVFC games – Oct. 21 at Youngstown State and Oct. 28 at home against Northern Iowa.
Quick hits
Illinois State running back Wenkers Wright, who has been hampered by a leg injury, could return to the field Saturday. “We will see. He’s eager to get back in, and we can use him,” Spack said. … Former ISU linebacker Cameron Siskowicz – the 2006 MVFC Defensive Player of the Year – will be part of this week’s class to enter the Redbirds’ athletics hall of fame. … Illinois State quarterback Zack Annexstad ranks seventh nationally with a 71.5% completion rate. There are currently four MVFC players in the top seven in FCS. North Dakota State’s Cam Miller leads the nation at 78.5%. Youngtown State’s Mitch Davidson ranks third (73.3%) and North Dakota’s Tommy Schuster is fifth (72.7%). … The Redbird defense continues to put plenty of pressure on opposing offenses. ISU ranks second nationally with 4.2 sacks a game and eighth with 7.8 tackles for loss per game.
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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