Tommy Rittenhouse (left) and Jake Rubley (right) are competing to become the starting quarterback when Illinois State opens its season Aug. 31 at Iowa. (Photos by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Dan Verdun
NORMAL — Fifteen spring practices later, Illinois State football has yet to determine its No. 1 quarterback, according to its top two competitors.
“They (coaches) haven’t said too much. They kind of said (it’s an) open competition in the spring. I haven’t had any word on what’s going to happen now. I’ve just got to keep working day by day to get better and better,” said Tommy Rittenhouse, a Geneva native who prepped at Wheaton St. Francis.
Rittenhouse has spent three years at ISU, including redshirting in the 2021 fall season. He is competing with Jake Rubley, a transfer from FBS Kansas State.
Like Rittenhouse, Rubley sees the starting slot as still up for grabs heading into summer.
“I don’t really know (where coaches are with a decision),” Rubley said. “Tommy and me just get better every day, and we make each other better. That’s the thing, whoever it is, that’s what’s best for this team at the end of the day and that’s who they’re going to play.”
Illinois State released a projected depth chart prior to Saturday’s spring game at Hancock Stadium. It listed Rittenhouse over Rubley, but an ISU official noted, “It’s just alphabetical at this point. Nothing is decided yet.”
Both quarterbacks were given the opportunity to lead the first-team offense of the Red Team to a 33-21 win against the White Team.
Track records & resumes
The ISU roster lists Rittenhouse as 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, while Rubley is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds.
Both players are redshirt juniors competing to replace Zack Annexstad, a Minnesota transfer who started 16 games at ISU before having both of his two seasons at ISU cut short by injuries.
With Annexstad sidelined, Rittenhouse made five total starts to close out the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He led ISU to an overtime win against rival Western Illinois as a redshirt freshman.
Last fall, Rittenhouse completed 46 of 69 passes for 467 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown. Rittenhouse has appeared in 13 games in his ISU career.
Primarily considered a running quarterback early in his collegiate career, Rittenhouse is pleased with his growth as a passer and his overall game.
“(I’ve improved by) knowing when I need to run the ball and knowing when I need to stay in the pocket (to) push the ball down the field. I feel I can still improve on those aspects,” he said.
Rubley, the son of former NFL quarterback T.J. Rubley, appeared in six games for Kansas State over the past two seasons. He completed 5 of 6 passes for 47 yards. He was intercepted once. Rubley’s stat line lists six runs for two yards.
“I like to say I’m a pocket passer, but I can still hurt the defense with my feet. I wouldn’t say I’m a dual-threat by any means, but I can still hurt them (by running),” Rubley said. “I really just want to win games . . . That’s why I came here.”
During Saturday’s spring game, both quarterbacks performed well. Rubley completed 15 of 22 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Rittenhouse completed 16 of 24 throws along with a touchdown pass. Both also showed the ability to keep plays alive with their feet.
“It’s good to get a new addition with Jake,” Rittenhouse said. “It creates a competition all around. We just really make each other better with what we do and how we learn from each other.
“I felt pretty good all throughout spring; I felt confident. (I was) just glad to get the reps that I got and take advantage of the moment each and every day.”
Rubley also gained confidence as the spring practices played out.
“From day one to now, practice (No.) 15 (of) spring ball, I’m feeling really comfortable. The last week and a half is where I really stepped into my comfort zone. (I’ve been able to) slow the game down and run the offense the way it’s supposed to run,” he said.
For what it’s worth
Excluding the COVID-19 spring season, the last non-transfer quarterback to lead Illinois State in passing was Naperville Central graduate Jake Kolbe (2016-17).
The Redbirds’ recent passing leaders were FBS transfers Brady Davis from Memphis (2018-19) and Annexstad (2022-23).
On the receiving end of things
Redshirt sophomore Eddie Kasper led all receivers with 10 catches for 58 yards in Saturday’s game. The Wheaton Academy graduate likes what he sees in both quarterbacks.
“Tommy brings that running side to the game. He’s really dangerous with the ball in his hands. He can get it done in the air and on the ground. Jake’s going to fling the ball deep. He’s going to throw it everywhere. He can run. He’s probably a better runner than Zack (Annexstad),” Kasper said.
So, who gets the starting nod come late August at Iowa City?
“It’s pretty even. I don’t really know what to say. It’s fun. I get to catch balls. They both throw great balls. Jake has picked up the offense really well, which is really special, and Tommy has picked up where he left off,” Kasper said.
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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