Senior Mason Kaplan returns as part of a veteran Illinois State linebacking corps. The Redbirds open their season at 6 p.m. Saturday against NAIA St. Francis at Hancock Stadium. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
Illinois State defensive coordinator Travis Niekamp and his players are seeking a stronger start than a year ago when the Redbirds host NAIA St. Francis Saturday night at Hancock Stadium.
“We had flashes of some really good football early on last year, but we also had examples of really bad football early on a year ago,” Niekamp told Prairie State Pigskin. “It took us about five or six games to where we started playing more consistently and playing elite football.”
Head coach Brock Spack, starting his 18th season at ISU, enters this year with confidence. The Redbirds are ranked No. 4 in the Stats Perform FCS preseason poll.
“We have a more experienced group, particularly in the linebacker corps. I think we are at least two deep there,” he said. “Hopefully, it doesn’t get tested from an injury standpoint. Linebackers get banged up like running backs.”
Spack also sees strength in his defensive front with players who gained valuable experience during last year’s run to the FCS national championship game.
“We really like who we have up front,” Spack said.
In addition to defensive linemen the likes of Logan Jellison, Wyatt Boals and Travis Jones, Spack welcomes the return of redshirt junior Ben Harman, whose season was cut short by injury early last fall.
“Having Harman around is really nice. He’s a very good player and has bounced back from being hurt. The kid has worked hard to get back,” Spack said.
Niekamp takes comfort knowing his sons Tye and Dexter, along with Mason Kaplan, anchor the defense. There’s also strong safety La’Shavion Brown.
“We think we have a chance to have a good football team with a quality defense. Obviously, we lost some pieces of our puzzle (from last season), but we have a lot of guys who have played a lot of football for us,” Niekamp said.
Achieving consistency
Niekamp stressed two things during summer workouts and fall camp.
“Ultimately, we’ve got to be really good tacklers and we’ve got to force turnovers,” he said.
As a veteran leader, Kaplan has a clear view of consistency.
“It’s being intentional in whatever you do,” he said. “That means starting in warmups. It’s those little things that maybe aren’t thought about in other ways, but Coach Niekamp does an amazing job of getting us to be intentional with our drills. That’s where the consistency really comes from.”
For cornerback Doreon Dubose, communication is a key.
“That’s the biggest thing that we’re emphasizing this year,” he said. “If we are all one, we’re alright.”
And a team that will get better, according to its head coach.
“If we can stay healthy, we will be a team that will improve a lot as the season goes along,” Spack said.
Kickoff: 6 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WJBC.com
Key matchup to watch
ISU offense vs. St. Xavier defense
Saturday’s opener may help to determine which of the two quarterback candidates – Beckham Pellant or Gage Roy – ultimately emerges as the starter. Spack said both will play Saturday.
What’s at stake
After finishing as the national runner-up last year, ISU wants to celebrate a win to start this season. While the Redbirds won four straight road playoff games, they posted a 3-3 record at Hancock Stadium last fall.
Quick hits
Pellant has appeared in nine games over his two previous seasons for the Redbirds. He has completed 13 of 24 passes for 90 yards. Pellant has passed for one touchdown and thrown one interception. … Roy appeared in two games for USC last fall. The Dallas native did not throw any passes. … Illinois State won last year’s home opener, 41-13, against Morehead State of the non-scholarship Pioneer League. … The Redbirds have 51 players from Illinois on their roster. … Mickey Turner takes over as offensive coordinator for the departed Tony Petersen, now at FBS Northern Illinois. Turner has been with ISU for four seasons.
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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