Illinois State FCS Football 2025 Playoff Capsule
November 16, 2025 · CSM Staff
Illinois State Redbirds
Missouri Valley
2025 Record: 8-4, 5-3
Coach: Brock Spack
Big Wins: 10/25 at South Dakota (21-13), 11/15 at South Dakota State (35-21)
Bad Losses: 10/18 Youngstown State (35-40), 11/15 Southern Illinois (7-37)
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Victor Dawson, RB, 739 yards
Passing: Tommy Rittenhouse, QB, 2,345 yards
Receiving: Daniel Sobkowicz, WR, 686 yards
Tackles: Tye Niekamp, LB, 126
Sacks: Garret Steffen, DL, 3.5
Interceptions: Shadwel Nkuba II, DB, 4
2025 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 172.5 (39th in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 216.4 (55, 5)
Total Offense: 388.8 (36, 5)
Scoring Offense: 32.7 (28, 5)
Rushing Defense: 129.6 (29, 4)
Pass Defense: 254.4 (108, 10)
Total Defense: 384.0 (74, 7)
Scoring Defense: 26.3 (64, 5)
Turnover Margin: 0.64 (16, 3)
Sacks: 2.00 (51, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 1.18 (14, 3)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
| Illinois State | 2024 | First Round | Defeated SE Missouri State |
| Illinois State | 2024 | Second Round | Lost to UC Davis |
| Illinois State | 2019 | First Round | Defeated Southeast Missouri State |
| Illinois State | 2019 | Second Round | Defeated Central Arkansas |
| Illinois State | 2019 | Quarterfinals | Lost to North Dakota State |
| Illinois State | 2016 | First Round | Lost to Central Arkansas |
| Illinois State | 2015 | Second Round | Defeated Western Illinois |
| Illinois State | 2015 | Quarterfinals | Lost to Richmond |
| Illinois State | 2014 | Second Round | Defeated Northern Iowa |
| Illinois State | 2014 | Quarterfinals | Defeated Eastern Washington |
| Illinois State | 2014 | Semifinals | Defeated New Hampshire |
| Illinois State | 2014 | Championship | Lost to North Dakota State |
| Illinois State | 2012 | Second Round | Defeated Appalachian State |
| Illinois State | 2012 | Quarterfinals | Lost to Eastern Washington |
| Illinois State | 2006 | Quarterfinals | Lost to Youngstown State |
| Illinois State | 2006 | First Round | Defeated Eastern Illinois |
| Illinois State | 1999 | First Round | Defeated Colgate |
| Illinois State | 1999 | Quarterfinals | Defeated Hofstra |
| Illinois State | 1999 | Semifinals | Lost to Georgia Southern |
| Illinois State | 1998 | First Round | Lost to Northwestern State |
*all team stats through 11/16
