Quarterback Zack Annexstad played two seasons at Illinois State after transferring from FBS Minnesota. He described ISU as a “super special place.” (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Dan Verdun
Though they may be years away from performing on the Hancock Stadium turf, former Illinois State football greats are in tune with the Redbirds’ run to the FCS national championship.
Over 75 alumni are attending ISU’s Sunday practice, according to associate athletic director Mike Williams. The group includes three-time Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year James “Boomer” Grigsby and record-setting quarterback Matt Brown.
When unseeded ISU takes on No. 2 seed Montana State in Monday night’s national championship game, many will be pulling out mementos of days gone by in support of their alma mater.
Whether they are there in person or watching at home, the former Redbirds will be glued to the action.
Mike Prior, who was born in Chicago Heights and starred at Marian Catholic High School, will set aside his Indianapolis Colts blue for Illinois State red.
“I followed them when they lost to Southern Illinois (in the last regular season game). I was like, ‘Oh, man! They’re not going to get into the playoffs.’ But, they got in and are doing a helluva job,” said Prior, now in his 22nd year as the Colts’ Youth Football Development Commissioner.
Prior, a member of both the Illinois State and Missouri Valley Conference halls of fame, was a standout in both football and baseball for the Redbirds in the early 1980s.
“I was back on campus a little over a year ago with the baseball alumni,” Prior said. “I was able to see the indoor facility and everything they had since I’d last been there.”
Chris Highland was born in Normal and was a four-year letterman at Bloomington Central Catholic High School coached by former Illinois Wesleyan quarterback Bobby Moews. He developed into an All-American long snapper for the 2014 national runner-up Redbirds.
“As an alum, I am very proud of this Redbird team,” Highland said. “Being on that 2014 team gave me some of the best memories of my football career. I am just excited that there is another group of young men who are going to get the opportunity to play in that game.”
While Prior and Highland are Illinois natives, Zack Annexstad grew up in Minnesota. The quarterback began his career in the FBS, playing for the University of Minnesota. He transferred to ISU in 2023 and spent two seasons with the Redbirds, gaining All-MVFC recognition each year.
“I had some good relations at Minnesota, but ISU is a super special place to me in my heart. I appreciate my time there so much. I love Coach Spack. It’s hard to put into words what that place means,” Annexstad said. “I always joke with people that I want to make a lot of money and give back to the school and to the football program. It afforded me the opportunity to grow with people.
“It’s cool to see Illinois State getting national attention.”
An inside look
Annexstad plans on being at Monday’s game.
“If I can be on the sideline at some point with the guys wearing my letterman jacket and maybe a cowboy hat or something, I’ll be cheering as loud as everybody else. It will be fun to watch,” he said.
Today, Annexstad is living in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and working as a sports agent. He played with many of this year’s Redbird stars, including receiver Daniel Sobkowicz and quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse.
“They have a lot of veteran guys. Daniel Sobkowicz is older. Tommy has some experience,” Annexstad said. “It’s a crew of guys who have been there, along with some transfers, that all of the sudden came together.
“Every team that I’ve been a part of that had a special year wins some of those close ones. That North Dakota State win (in the second round) is an obvious one. You find a way to sneak out those tight games. It’s that veteran experience that has brought them over the edge.”
Annexstad worked one ISU home game as a TV analyst this season. He marvels at what his former team has accomplished.
“Everybody is calling them a Cinderella, but if you take out that SIU game where they crapped the bed for lack of better words, I don’t think you look at them as a Cinderella,” he said.
Super Bowl comparison
Prior, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, sees comparisons with this year’s Redbirds and the 1996 Green Bay Packers he played safety for and returned kicks.
“On our Super Bowl run that year, we were 8-1 before going down to Dallas. We got beaten up similar to what happened with ISU,” Prior said in reference to Illinois State’s 37-7 loss to SIU in the regular-season finale.
“But the veteran guys like Reggie White kept us together and said, ‘We’ve got to run the table and get home-field advantage and go from there.’ That’s what we did. We handled the adversity and that’s what you do,” Prior said. “ISU has done the same.”
Both Highland and Prior have high hopes and even a little advice for the Redbirds heading into Monday’s title showdown.
“I hope they can do what we could not and bring home a national championship to Normal,” Highland said. “This opportunity is once in a lifetime, and I hope they take every chance they get to cherish the memories they are making together.”
Prior, a 1983 All-American, was more pragmatic.
“You can’t forget what you did to get here,” he said. “Over the last five weeks, you’ve been on a roll. Remember what it took to get where you are. Don’t start celebrating now. There will be plenty of time after Jan. 5.”
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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