Tommy Rittenhouse (16) became the fourth player to throw for 3,000 yards in a season for Illinois State last weekend. His top target, Daniel Sobkowicz, owns two career records and has a third in his sights. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Barry Bottino
When discussing the connection between Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz, Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante compared them to his own roster.
“I talk about the chemistry that our quarterback (Pat McQuaide) and our top wide receiver (Luke Colella) have,” he said. “They’ve only been with us one year.
“Those guys … multiply that by five,” Ferrante said. “You can’t substitute playing together. It’s probably a big part of the reason they have the run they’re having now.”
No matter when and where the run ends for the Redbirds – who play at Villanova at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 in the FCS national semifinals – Rittenhouse and Sobkowicz will have their names etched in ISU history.
The duo came in together and redshirted in 2021.
Since then, Sobkowicz has become ISU’s career leader in touchdown catches (38). He needs one catch and 156 yards to own the top career records in receptions and yards.
Last weekend, Rittenhouse became only the fourth player in school history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season. Among his 54 career TD passes, 24 have landed in the hands of Sobkowicz, including 15 this season.
“They’re both really mature, really good leaders,” ISU head coach Brock Spack said. “They’re really good people to follow. Dan’s not the most vocal. He’s not the loudest guy, but he works at it. You’ll see him after practice catching extra balls and the younger receivers are with him.
“Both of those guys are just really good leaders and teammates,” Spack said.
Dawson rhymes with awesome
Running back Victor Dawson’s career-best 148 rushing yards in the quarterfinal win at UC Davis featured broken tackles galore by the 5-foot-11, 220-pound senior, especially in the second half.
“Those were weight room runs,” Spack said. “He’s a very good power back and he makes it tough on people.”
Dawson transferred from FBS Cincinnati after last season. During his time with the Bearcats, he suffered a torn ACL but is now fully recovered.
“He’s a 600-pound squatter,” Spack said. “He’s probably a better squatter than half of our offensive line.”
Dawson, who surpassed 1,000 yards this season in the victory at UC Davis, credited that line with his success Saturday, which marked his fourth 100-yard performance in the past seven games.
“You’ve got to give credit to the O-line for opening that up,” he said. “It makes it easier to do what I have to do.”
More honors for ISU
Illinois State had seven players chosen Monday for the FCS Football Central All-American teams.
Offensive tackle Jake Pope and linebacker Tye Niekamp were picked for the first team, while Sobkowicz and defensive back Shadwel Nkuba II made the second team. Offensive lineman Landon Woodard was a third-team selection.
Niekamp made The Associated Press All-America first team Tuesday. He was joined by second-team selections Sobkowicz and Nkuba II. Pope was named as an honorable mention choice.
Mace on the march
Villanova junior running back Ja’briel Mace has taken over as the No. 1 back after starting the season No. 3 on the depth chart. He rushed for 151 yards in the Wildcats’ quarterfinal win at Tarleton State.
His biggest highlight of the season was a 291-yard day Nov. 8 against Towson, which broke single-game school rushing record set in 2001 by former NFL running back Brian Westbrook.
“That (record) has been around for a while,” Ferrante said of the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Mace. “He’s on the leaner side but he does have really good speed.”
News and notes
Illinois State is 8-0 on the road this season against FCS opponents. Villanova, on the other hand, is 7-0 at home. … Freshman wide receiver Braden Reed caught and threw a TD pass in Villanova’s win at Tarleton. For the season, he has 31 catches and three TD receptions. “I don’t think we ever expect the type of performance we’re getting from Braden from any freshman,” Ferrante said. … Rittenhouse has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but rushed five times for 30 yards in the quarterfinal win. “I was surprised how well he ran,” Spack said. “He’s still pretty sore.”
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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