Illinois State redshirt senior Cam Wilson (25) earned a starting role in the Redbird defensive secondary this season. He is tied for the team lead with five pass breakups this fall. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
Cam Wilson has grabbed interceptions in consecutive weeks, but perhaps the biggest one he snagged didn’t even count on the official stat sheet.
Back in September, Wilson ended Illinois State’s double-overtime, twice weather-delayed 38-36 win against North Alabama by securing a desperation heave into the end zone on a two-point conversion.
According to the rules, two-point attempts are basically pass/fail outcomes – either they are converted or they are not. Therefore, his interception didn’t officially count.
No matter, to Wilson, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound redshirt senior defensive back from Cedar Hill, Texas.
“I knew that they (North Alabama) had to get into the end zone to get those two points,” Wilson said. “If anything, I would just bat the ball down, but once I saw the quarterback throw it and knew the receiver was in the back of the end zone, I just walled him off.”
On a play earlier in the game, Wilson said he had given up a touchdown on a similar play.
“This time, I went up and attacked the ball,” he said. “I came down with it, but it was surreal. I was like, ‘Did I just really catch a pick?’”
Wilson called that game, which lasted nearly six hours, easily the strangest of his career.
“That was like when I went outside as a kid and played football all day,” he chuckled.
Wilson knows plenty about time. After all, he waited his turn to become a defensive starter, finally getting his opportunity in his final year of collegiate eligibility.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I’ve been at Illinois State since I graduated high school (in 2021). Just having the opportunity to be part of the team and to have an impact means so much to me.”
Wilson has been a starter at cornerback since ISU’s season opener at FBS Oklahoma. Yet, not much has changed with his preparation.
“I approach it the same way that I have every game when I wasn’t a starter,” he said. “I watch film. I help everybody else get on the same page because football is a game of communication. The only thing that has changed is that now I’m out there actually doing it on the field.”
Wilson ranks fifth on the team with 38 tackles, 28 of which have been solo.
The Redbird defense has improved its play in the last three weeks, according to head coach Brock Spack.
“We’re looking much better out there,” Spack said.
Wilson agreed.
“Our defense has had so many moving parts. A lot of people on the team haven’t played a lot of snaps (before this season), but now everybody is comfortable and we’re doing pretty good out there,” he said.
And as for those interceptions in back-to-back games? What has meant the most to him?
“Doing that in front of my dad,” Wilson said. “My dad goes to every game. He hasn’t missed one since I got here.”
This week’s opponent
South Dakota State is battered, but far from beaten.
Though the Jackrabbits have lost three games in a row in the same season for the first time since 2013, SDSU remains a dangerous opponent.
“They have a lot of weapons that can hurt you in all phases of the game,” Spack said.
Senior running back Julius Loughridge leads SDSU with 801 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Alex Bullock tops the receivers with 52 catches for 675 yards and four touchdowns.
Quarterback Chase Mason has missed the last three games – all losses – with a foot injury. Backup Luke Marble is also nursing an injury.
According to Jay Elsen of Midco Sports, Mason has practiced more this week, but SDSU coach Dan Jackson said the QB “still needs all of the appropriate medical clearances” to see game action.
Spack said, “Anytime your quarterback is nicked up, it’s tough. You lose the consistency of playing the same guy all the time, but it is what it is. It happens to all of us.”
Redshirt freshman Jack Henry played in last week’s 24-17 loss to rival South Dakota. Henry was 13 of 24 passing for 139 yards. He threw a touchdown and an interception.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WJBC.com.
Key matchup to watch
ISU defensive front vs. South Dakota State offensive line
If Illinois State can control the line, it frees linebackers the likes of All-American Tye Niekamp to minimize gained yardage and put more pressure on the quarterback.
“They’re big up front, a typical South Dakota State team,” Spack said.
What’s at stake
An ISU win adds a quality road victory to the Redbirds’ playoff resume.
News and notes
When asked to choose which unit has improved the most as the season has gone on, Spack said he goes back and forth in naming one. “The offensive line has done a really good job of that, but defensively we’ve looked much better the last three weeks because we’ve made big jumps with our tackling,” he said. “We’re least experienced on defense, so that’s probably the bigger one, but that offensive line has really gotten better.” … Spack said the angle and leverage the defense has taken in recent weeks has also led to the defense playing much better. “We’re not over-running balls or on the wrong hip or whatever,” he said. “That’s critical in tackling. That’s even more important than contact.” … While leading tackler Tye Niekamp has garnered much deserved attention, his younger brother Dexter has seen more significant playing time as the season has passed. “He’s going to be a really good player,” Spack said of the redshirt freshman. “He’s a big, good athlete. He’s really starting to develop into a good pass rusher. He understands leverage on the quarterback.” … Illinois State’s last win in Brookings, S.D., was a 27-18 victory in 2019, a year in which the Redbirds made the FCS playoffs. … Following Saturday’s game at South Dakota State, the Redbirds have one more regular-season game – Nov. 22 against rival Southern Illinois 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.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Blue Sky: PSPigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment