Keondre Jackson had 11 tackles against Iowa and made several big plays for the Illinois State Redbirds. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Barry Bottino
With 69,250 fans in the stands at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium last weekend, Illinois State safety Keondre Jackson created plenty of noise all on his own.
A big second-quarter hit that knocked Iowa wide receiver Jacob Gill off his feet drew an audible gasp from the Hawkeyes’ crowd and was part of standout performance from Jackson against a Big Ten Conference opponent.
“He looked like he belonged, didn’t he?” said ISU coach Brock Spack, who spent more than 20 years as a player and coach at Purdue. “He’s a thumper. That’s his game. That’s what we expect out of him. He’s worked really hard to put himself in this position.”
Jackson piled up 11 total tackles in a 40-0 loss against the Hawkeyes, his most in a game since a 13-tackle effort last season against eventual FCS national champion South Dakota State. Jackson will start his 24th career game Saturday when the Redbirds (0-1) visit North Alabama (0-2). (6 p.m., ESPN-Plus)
“When you get a chance to play on a big stage, in front of that many people and with a lot of scouts watching, you go out there and play your game,” Jackson said. “I watched a lot of film that week. Just finding ways to play faster and get myself in better positions to make more plays.”
With just over a minute left in the second quarter, Jackson broke up a third-down pass near the goal line with Iowa driving, which forced the Hawkeyes to kick a field goal for a 6-0 halftime lead.
“That was good, but to become an elite player, I’ve got to find a way to intercept that ball,” Jackson said.
As a first-time defensive captain in 2023, Jackson said he was “a decent leader.” This year, his example on the field is setting a path for fellow Redbirds.
“This year, I’m being more vocal,” he said. “But also, if I’m preaching it, then I’m doing it. I am not saying something and then not doing it myself. I’m setting the example as I’m preaching it.”
As one of nine starters back on the defense, Jackson is making sure to guide as many teammates as possible.
“You don’t get to pick and choose who you lead,” he said. “You treat everybody the same. A lot of people will buy into that and follow you, and then the sky’s the limit for the whole team.”
This week’s opponent
The UNA Lions are off to an 0-2 start with losses to Southeast Missouri and FBS Memphis, allowing 77 points in two weeks while turning the ball over seven times. … Starting quarterback Ari Patu has completed only 54% of his passes and thrown four interceptions in the first two games. … Freshman defensive lineman Fred Vili was named the United Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week. The true freshman from American Samoa collected three tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and his first career sack. … The Lions, a former Division II powerhouse, are members of the UAC, which was formed in February 2021.
Kickoff: 6 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WJBC.com
Key matchup to watch
Illinois State QBs vs. North Alabama defense: Spack said Tuesday he expects quarterbacks Tommy Rittenhouse and Jake Rubley – who are part of a two-QB system this fall for ISU – to bounce back. “I didn’t think we threw the ball with a lot of accuracy,” Spack said. “I thought we had some guys open that we missed. That was a little disappointing. We have to be better there.” Enter winless North Alabama, which has allowed opposing QBs to complete 75.4% of their passes this season for three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
What’s at stake?
Illinois State is looking to get back on track after the 40-0 loss to FBS Iowa.
Quick hits
The official Illinois State depth chart listed running back Mason King and linebacker Amir Abdullah as starters for Saturday’s game against UNA. Both players left last weekend’s game at Iowa with injuries and head coach Brock Spack said Tuesday both players were “day to day” as he awaited MRI results later that day. On Thursday, an Illinois State spokesperson said there was no new information on the MRI results available. … Defensive end Nick Kessler, who also was injured at Iowa, practiced Thursday and is available to play against UNA, according to ISU. … The loss to Iowa bumped the Redbirds down two spots, to No. 21, in the weekly Stats FCS media poll. In the American Football Coaches Association poll, ISU dropped two spots to No. 22. … With a start Saturday at North Alabama, left tackle Hunter Zambrano will log his 30th career start in an ISU uniform. That’s the most of any player on the Redbird roster. Safety Dillon Gearhart currently has 27 career starts. … Seven different players caught a pass against Iowa, including new Redbird Xavier Loyd, a Kansas State transfer who led ISU for four catches and 53 yards. … Sophomore defensive tackle Jake Anderson had eight tackles against Iowa, tying his career high set last season against Youngstown State.
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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