A year removed from being a question mark, ISU defensive front now viewed a strength

Illinois State linebacker Jalan Gaines (50) pursues quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse during the Redbirds’ spring football game at Hancock Stadium in Normal. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)

By Dan Verdun

NORMAL – Like most coaches, Illinois State’s Brock Spack knows games are often decided at the line of scrimmage.

Bearing that in mind, the 16th-year ISU head coach likes what he sees on the defensive side of the ball.

“(We’re) better (than a year ago). We’re deeper in that some of our younger guys, who are obviously getting bigger and stronger, (can contribute). Our pass rush will be better. It’s very promising,” Spack said during Tuesday’s media day at Hancock Stadium.

Travis Niekamp, a former ISU defensive lineman himself, begins his seventh season as the team’s defensive coordinator.

“Compared to a year ago, we’re a lot deeper and a lot further ahead because everybody but (graduated) Josh Dinga is back,” Niekamp said. 

ISU released a projected depth chart Wednesday, which listed returnees Nick Kessler and Jalan Gaines as defensive ends along with Greg Galloway at nose guard and Jake Anderson at defensive tackle.

“We’re really excited about where we’re at with those guys because they’re another year into the program, and because of that they’re a lot more productive than they were a year ago at this time,” Niekamp said.

Spack is especially high on Gaines, who at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, plays the outside spot known as “Jack” in the Illinois State defensive front.

“He’s made amazing strides (in the offseason),” Spack said. “He’s long. Physically, he looks like some of the kids I had at Purdue (as defensive coordinator). Those tweener guys who are just athletic and tough.”

New additions

The Redbirds also added a pair of FCS transfers. Interestingly both come from Missouri Valley Football Conference foes: Donovan McBride, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound junior from Murray State, and Garret Steffen, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior from Western Illinois.

In his final year of eligibility, Steffen makes no bones about what he wants his role to be.

“A starter definitely,” he said. “I want to be a first-team all-conference, All-American type dude.”

Now a junior, Kessler has stepped forward as a leader.

“I’ve got to make sure my position group has a positive attitude. It’s getting deep into fall camp. People are getting tired and hurt, (but) we don’t have time to miss practices. We’ve got to get as good as we can as fast as we can,” Kessler said.

Strength in numbers

A year ago, the defensive line was one of the question marks for the Redbirds.

“This year I’d say it’s probably one of our strengths,” Niekamp said.

Moreover, Niekamp pointed out the importance of depth in today’s college football world.

“With tempo teams and the amount of plays that are run these days, it’s critical,” he said. “No longer is it just 50 snaps a game. It’s 60, 70, 80 snaps sometimes and defensive linemen can’t bang that long and be productive in the fourth quarter like they were in the first quarter.”

Always a defensive-minded coach, Spack circled back to the trenches.

“That’s where it all starts. You’ve got to be able to control the line of scrimmage. So, both fronts are very, very important obviously,” he said. “Every great defense I had started with the front (four) and the front seven. They have to be disruptive. I think we’ll see more of that than a year ago.”

News & notes: Both Spack and Niekamp said that a knee injury to Zion Granville – Gaines’ likely backup – wasn’t as bad as initially feared. “It sounds like he might have a meniscus (injury) rather than an ACL (tear),” Spack said. … In June, Spack told Prairie State Pigskin returnee Tommy Rittenhouse and transfer Jake Rubley would likely share time at quarterback. Asked again Tuesday, Spack said, “Nothing has really changed. … It’s really unique in that both guys have really strong strengths. Tommy can really run; he’s athletic. Jake’s a pure passer.” … Four ISU players were recently named to Phil Steele’s preseason FCS All-America list: linebacker Amir Abdullah, offensive lineman Hunter Zambrano, receiver Daniel Sobkowicz and running back Mason King.

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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