Patrick Bauer started two games last season for Illinois State and will move into a full-time starting role this fall, beginning with Saturday’s game at FBS Oklahoma. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Barry Bottino
A walk-on and a “small school” kid began their Illinois State careers with little fanfare. But the two linebackers will be in starting roles when the Redbirds take the field Saturday against FBS Oklahoma. (5 p.m., ESPN-Plus, SEC Network-Plus)
Sophomores Patrick Bauer and Anthony Corona are two newcomers in a revamped defense, which has just four starters returning from 2024, when ISU returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Corona, who will start at weak-side linebacker, played at Wilmot Union High School in Wisconsin, which has fewer than, 1,000 students.
“I came from a small school, so my football knowledge wasn’t even close to what it is now,” he said. “Especially this spring, when I made the biggest strides, it’s been my confidence with the playbook and my confidence in general.”
Bauer, a 6-3, 235-pound strong-side linebacker, played at St. Viator High School in suburban Chicago and was recruited as a walk-on. He started a pair of games last season after preseason All-American Amir Abdullah was injured in the season opener against Iowa.
“It was pretty surreal,” Bauer said of the emergency situation. “I wouldn’t say I was fully mentally prepared but when the time came, I strapped on my helmet, came on the field and didn’t think about it.
“I play with a chip on my shoulder,” said Bauer, who remains a walk-on. “That was my goal – to be a starter this year – and I made it happen.”
With multiple new faces on defense, Illinois State head coach Brock Spack said he’s “very curious to see us compete” against the Sooners and he’s encouraged by the growth of his two young linebackers.
“We’re excited about these guys,” Spack said. “Both guys have worked hard in the weight room, in off-season conditioning and speed development. Their football IQs have really grown over the years.”
Corona and Bauer will serve as bookends to ISU All-American middle linebacker Tye Niekamp, who was selected this month for the Buck Buchanan Award watch list, an honor given to the best defensive player in FCS.
“Tye is a great leader,” Bauer said. “He knows how to bring people together. If you have a question about a play, Tye is the guy you ask.”
Corona came to ISU as a middle linebacker, so he and Neikamp speak a common language on the field.
“Tye might be the smartest football player that I’ve ever played with,” Corona said. “We fit very well together. We can talk about what we see on offense and their tendencies before the play even starts.”
This week’s opponent
Quarterback John Mateer (Washington State) and running back Jadyn Ott (Cal) are among 10 offensive players Oklahoma added this season to spark the attack. The program also hired former Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy as the program’s general manager and were active in the portal, adding 14 total players. … Sooners wide receiver Keontez Lewis is a transfer from Southern Illinois who played against the Redbirds last fall. He had seven catches for 153 yards in ISU’s 45-10 victory Oct. 5 in Carbondale. … Up front, the Sooners have a disruptive defensive front, led by R Mason Thomas, who compiled nine sacks last season. Florida State transfer Marvin Jones Jr. had five sacks last season before joining OU.
Kickoff: 5 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus & SEC Network-Plus; Radio: WJBC.com
Key matchup to watch
ISU defense vs. Oklahoma QB John Mateer: A high-profile transfer from Washington State, Mateer will draw plenty of attention from the Redbirds. The 6-1, 225-pound Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns last season while rushing for 826 yards and 15 scores. “He’s got a strong arm and he’s as good of a runner as he is a thrower,” Spack said. “He’s explosive and built like a running back. He’s got so many different arm angles that he can get rid of the ball from.”
What’s at stake?
The Sooners are a heavy favorite, but Illinois State wasn’t fazed last season when opening the season at FBS Iowa, where they played an impressive first half. The Redbirds want to make sure they get their talent-laden offense rolling right away.
Quick hits
Illinois State has high hopes for a return to the playoffs after qualifying in 2024 for the first time in five years. Eight starters return on offense, including quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, who had the most productive offensive season for an ISU QB in a decade. … The Redbirds are ranked No. 6 in the FCS national media poll to start the season, while ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press FBS poll. … Wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz and running back Wenkers Wright were both named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List this month. The honor is award to the top offensive player in FCS at season’s end. Sobkowicz is the team’s most experienced player, with 35 career starts. Wright has started 24 times. Offensive tackle Jake Pope has the second-most starts with 26.… Illinois State’s defense has scored at least one touchdown in 16 consecutive seasons. … This is the first meeting between ISU and Oklahoma and only the second time the Redbirds have played a current Southeastern Conference program. In 2007, the Redbirds played at Missouri.
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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