Illinois State nose tackle Valentino Garcia has alternated starts with fellow junior Wyatt Boals this season. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
He’s the biggest Illinois State player on the roster. He has the biggest hair.
In fact, nearly everything is big about Illinois State nose tackle Valentino Garcia – including his impact on this year’s defense.
“I love hitting,” said Garcia, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 340 pounds. “That’s the game. It’s a violent game. You’re either in it or not.”
ISU (7-2 overall, 3-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) begins a big three-game stretch against nationally ranked opponents Saturday at North Dakota (6-4, 3-3) that will determine if the Redbirds return to the FCS playoffs.
Garcia has alternated playing time with fellow junior Wyatt Boals.
“He’s somebody that has pushed me, and I’ve pushed him,” Garcia said. “We’ve both competed this season. Every week, it’s either him or me starting.”
Garcia has been credited with 15 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and has batted down one pass this fall.
However, the Orlando, Fla., native knows his position isn’t about statistical numbers. It’s about creating havoc in the middle of the line so others collect the tackles, sacks and accolades.
“I describe my position as like an anvil, but in a good way,” Garcia said. “We don’t always get the glory. We take on double teams. We hold it down in the middle. We set up players for other people.”
Garcia made the transition from offensive line to defensive line after first arriving at ISU in 2024.
“It was a little hard at first, but I just kept working every year. It’s finally paying off,” he said.
In fact, Garcia now relishes the nature of his position.
“I’ve improved on being aggressive with my hands. I’ve really exploded with being more violent,” he said. “I’m able to defeat more blocks, defeat the man in front of me and make more plays.”
Back to his size. Is Garcia the biggest player on the roster?
“I think so. I’m up with a couple (others), but I’m pretty sure I’m No. 1,” he said with a chuckle.
Garcia, however, did point out that he has dropped his weight into the “315 to 325” pound range.
“I’ve taken care of myself more,” he said. “I feel so much better. I’m able to move so much better.”
Kickoff: 1 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WJBC.com
Key matchup to watch
ISU offense vs. UND defense
While Illinois State’s defense has been solid and produced turnovers in recent weeks, the Redbird offense needs a clean, consistent performance against a Fighting Hawks defense that ranks fifth among the nine MVFC scoring defenses.
“Our offense is going to be needed,” ISU head coach Brock Spack said. “They showed up in other situations earlier in the season for us.”
Since being named the starting quarterback three games ago, junior Beckham Pellant has completed 45 of 84 passes (53.5%) for 613 yards. He has thrown for four touchdowns and been intercepted three times. He also has one rushing TD.
Primary running backs Victor Dawson and Seth Glatz are both “getting better” from nagging injuries, Spack said. Dawson rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while Glatz rushed for 67 yards and a TD in the Redbirds’ victory last week against Murray State.
“It’s good that they’ve played a couple games now as we get ready for this November stretch,” Spack said.
What’s at stake
A win greatly boosts the Redbirds’ chances of being one of the 24 teams selected for the FCS playoff bracket.
Quick hits
Illinois State enters the game ranked No. 8 in the American Football Coaches Assocation poll and No. 10 in the Stats Perform FCS poll. North Dakota is ranked No. 11 by Stats Perform and No. 15 in the AFCA poll. … Redbird safety La’Shavion Brown is questionable for Saturday’s game, according to an ISU source. Brown left last weekend’s game with a shoulder injury. … Former ISU running back Matt Lawson is North Dakota’s second-leading rusher. “Matt was a good player for us. He wanted to get on the field a little quicker and play more snaps. Our two seniors (Dawson and Glatz) are hard guys to unseat,” Spack said of Lawson’s departure from ISU. … Illinois State has a combined 9-2 record in November regular-season games since 2023. One of those losses came at North Dakota in 2023. … UND leads the brief series with ISU, 3-1. The two programs last met in 2024 with the Redbirds winning, 35-13. … Five MVFC teams are ranked in the Stats Perform FCS poll this week: No. 4 Youngstown State, No. 5 South Dakota State, No. 8 South Dakota, No. 10 ISU and No. 11 North Dakota. Northern Iowa is receiving votes. … Illinois State plays at Youngstown State Nov. 14 and hosts South Dakota Nov. 21. … The playoff selections will be announced at 11 a.m. on Nov. 22 via an ESPNU broadcast.
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
Leave a Reply