Senior safety Keondre Jackson (3) and sophomore linebacker Tye Niekamp (46) earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first-team honors. Niekamp finished third in the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year voting. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
Shaking off early-season injuries, Illinois State returned to the FCS postseason for the first time in five years.
The Redbirds won 10 games for the fourth time under head coach Brock Spack’s guidance.
ISU landed 11 players on the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference teams, headlined by first-teamers Tye Niekamp at linebacker and Keondre Jackson at safety.
Receiver Daniel Sobkowicz, cornerback Mark Cannon Jr. and defensive lineman Jake Anderson were second team selections.
Here’s our look back on ISU’s 2024 season:
Head coach: Brock Spack
Conference: Missouri Valley Football Conference
Overall record (conference record): 10-4 (6-2)
Biggest win: Illinois State gained eight turnovers – five interceptions and three fumble recoveries – in a 35-27 first-round playoff win at Southeast Missouri. Defensive lineman Jake Anderson and safety Keondre Jackson each returned an interception for a touchdown in the victory.
Most disappointing loss: The Redbirds gave up 558 yards of total offense to No. 5 seed UC Davis in a 42-10 loss in the second round of the postseason.
“I hate to end this way, but I’m really proud of my team,” Spack said.
Breakout players
Offense: Redshirt junior Tommy Rittenhouse emerged from a two-quarterback system to firmly grab the position. The Wheaton St. Francis High School alum completed 66.4% of his passes (259-for-390) for 2,840 yards with 17 touchdown passes. During the regular season, he ranked third in the MVFC in completions and pass yards and fifth in completion percentage and passing touchdowns. He combined to score 25 total touchdowns, with eight scores on the ground, ranking second on the team with 480 rushing yards.
Defense: Cornerback Teon Parks saw his playing time increase as the season progressed and wound up starting the last seven games. The sophomore led the team with 11 pass breakups. The Detroit native also grabbed an interception and forced a fumble along with making 39 tackles.
2025 season opener: According to FBSchedules.com, the Redbirds begin next fall with an Aug. 30 game at FBS Oklahoma.
Up next: Barry Bottino examines 5 Burning Questions facing Illinois State football.
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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