Brock Spack is honored Saturday in Springfield, Mo., by his Illinois State players after winning his 100th career game as the Redbirds’ head coach. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Barry Bottino
As soon as his 100th win as Illinois State head coach was finally secured Saturday, Brock Spack got doused with two sideline water coolers, was mobbed by dozens of players and received a parade of hugs.
After his team earned a 36-35 victory at Missouri State, the 15-year veteran of the ISU sidelines gave plenty of love back to those who were part of the journey along the way.
“They’ve taken one man’s vision and turned it into something special,” Spack said. “It’s been great. A lot of good coaches, good administrators, great leadership around Illinois State, great fans and of course, great players have made this all possible. I really appreciate the effort that went on behind the 100 (wins).”
Spack, the all-time ISU leader in coaching victories, improved his career record to 100-69 Saturday, a 59.2% winning percentage. He is only the fourth Missouri Valley Football Conference head coach to reach the 100-win plateau at a member school.
He broke the school record on Sept. 18, 2021 with a 31-24 victory at Eastern Illinois, surpassing Edwin Struck’s 86 all-time wins.
After the final seconds ticked off the clock Saturday, defensive backs Dillon Gearhart and Keondre Jackson teamed up to douse Spack with one water cooler, while fellow DBs C.J. Hodgdon and Teon Parks delivered a second ice water bath.
Junior running back Mason Blakemore, who rushed for two touchdowns and 125 yards in the victory, appreciated being part of the milestone.
“That is pretty special,” Blakemore said. “I’m beyond happy to be here to make that happen for him.”
What’s next at QB?
Starting quarterback Zack Annexstad’s right knee injury, sustained on the game-winning drive, looked serious, according to Spack, who said his QB would have an MRI to determine the damage.
If Annexstad is sidelined, the Redbirds will turn to a familiar face.
Backup Tommy Rittenhouse, a sophomore from St. Francis High School in Wheaton, started ISU’s final three games a season ago when Annexstad was out with a shoulder injury. Rittenhouse’s biggest play was a rushing touchdown in overtime to beat Western Illinois in the 2022 season finale.
An offensive day to remember
Saturday’s 508-yard output was well above the Redbirds’ average of 412 yards a game entering the game.
ISU threw for 300 yards – 291 by Annexstad on 33 completions and nine by wide receiver Eddie Kasper – for the first time since Oct. 2, 2021, also against Missouri State. ISU also rushed for 208 yards, thanks to 125 from Blakemore.
Wide receivers Daniel Sobkowicz (seven catches, 98 yards, TD) and Kasper (10 catches, 84 yards), along with tight end Cam Grandy (nine catches, 80 yards), became the first ISU trio since 2012 to have at least 80 receiving yards in a game.
With a team-leading 61 receptions, 838 yards and nine touchdowns, Sobkowicz is 162 yards from being the first ISU receiver to reach 1,000 yards since Anthony Warrum (1,031) in 2016. Warrum was also the last Redbird with 10 or more receiving TDs, which also came in 2016.
“(Coaches) do a great job of bouncing me around, not just keeping me outside but keeping me inside as a slot and just moving me around,” Sobkowicz said. “It gives the defense a different look.”
Along with Sobkowicz, Grandy (53 catches, 519 yards, three TDs) and Kasper (42 catches, 350 yards, one TD) have combined for 67% of the team’s receptions, 78% of ISU’s receiving yards and 68% of the receiving TDs.
“It’s really nice, because I’m not the only one making plays,” Sobkowicz said. “We have the tight end, we have other receivers. It’s an all-around group effort. That’s what I like about this offense.”
Blakemore said whether the Redbirds have success on the ground or through the air, one group deserves plenty of credit.
“None of that happens without the O-line,” he said. “We tell the O-line, ‘Just be yourselves.’ If they’re clicking, then we’re going to click on offense.”
Left tackle Hunter Zambrano, center Peter Bussone, right guard Ryan Gudaitis and right tackle Jake Pope have started every game this season, while Saturday’s starting left guard, Kobe Rios, earned his fourth start.
News and notes
Sophomore cornerback Mark Cannon’s third-quarter interception was his second consecutive game with a pick. He also had a career-best three pass breakups. “It’s the preparation week in and week out,” Cannon said. “It’s not just about me. It’s about guys going out there and making plays and allowing me to play freely and make plays too.” … Kasper’s 10 catches set a new career high. He also completed a 9-yard pass on a trick play to Annexstad for a fourth-down conversion. … With 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, linebacker Jalan Gaines moved into second place on the team in both categories. His 5.5 sacks and nine TFLs trail fellow linebacker Amir Adbullah (8.5 sacks, 11.5 TFLs). Gaines had two sacks of Missouri State quarterback Jordan Pachot on the Bears’ final drive. “The difference was want to,” Gaines said. “We need to get home in order for our team to have success. Toward the end, when it really mattered, we did what we had to do.”
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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