Illinois State preparing to go with a two-quarterback system this fall, says Spack

Tommy Rittenhouse (left) and Jake Rubley (right) both will see action at quarterback this fall, according to Illinois State head coach Brock Spack. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)

By Dan Verdun

Illinois State head coach Brock Spack’s team entered the off-season with two quarterbacks vying for the starting job.

The veteran coach said Thursday that the Redbirds are likely to use both returnee Tommy Rittenhouse and Kansas State transfer Jake Rubley in a two-quarterback system this fall.

“We have two quarterbacks, and that’s how it’s going to be all season,” Spack told Prairie State Pigskin. “We’ll probably have a two-quarterback system, and I’ve never been a part of that.

“But I feel really strongly that each guy has some part of his game that brings something different. I think this is an opportunity to do that.”

Both quarterbacks spent time leading the first-team offense in the annual spring game, which was played in April at Hancock Stadium.

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 as the starter cut short by injuries.

Track records

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 while rushing 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 said after the spring game that he 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,” Rittenhouse 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 and threw one interception. Rubley’s time at Kansas State included six rushing attempts 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 in April. “I really just want to win games. That’s why I came here.”

Illinois State opens its season Aug. 31 at FBS Iowa. The game will begin at 11 a.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

“You’ll probably see us play two quarterbacks all season,” Spack said. “There will be times during the game, depending on what happens and what the scenario is as to what presents itself as a better option. (Another factor is) who’s playing the best. But going into the game, we totally think we’ll have a two-quarterback system.

“You might even see them on the field at the same time.”

It’s good to be King

Spack also said that running back Mason King, who had off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum, has been cleared for all football-related activities.

“He had shoulder surgery, and he’s doing very well,” Spack said. “He’s full bore right now, and we feel good about that.”

That’s good news for the Redbirds; King led the team with 983 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 150 carries last fall.

King, who transferred to ISU from FBS Northern Illinois last year, was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Year and landed on the All-MVFC first team.

Home kickoff times released

After a Sept. 7 non-conference game at FCS North Alabama, the Redbirds open their home schedule Sept. 14 against rival Western Illinois.

The Leathernecks will be competing in the Big South-Ohio Valley Football Association this fall after leaving the MVFC after last season, making this year’s WIU-ISU game a non-conference contest.

ISU announced the kickoff times Thursday for its six games at Hancock Stadium.

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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