Game Preview: Illinois State

The Jackrabbits (4-2, 2-2) travel to Normal, Illinois to take on the Illinois State Redbirds (5-2, 2-2).  This is a pivotal match-up for both teams.  It is not a "must-win to reach the playoffs" type of game but it will certainly go a long way if either team has hopes of still receiving a seed and first round bye.  Both teams are coming off tough losses ISU to NDSU (28-14) and SDSU to UNI (9-24).  Both teams had success moving the ball but failed to finish drives.  The only common opponent they have so far this season is NDSU, who they both lost to in the Fargo dome.  It was expected by many that the Redbirds would be down this year after graduating a very good senior class (especially on defense) but that has not been the case.  There are just four games left in the regular season and its time to see how this messy and competitive MVFC shakes out.  

Offense 
The Redbird offense has hummed along to the tune of 39 ppg this season.  The offensive line is big and experienced and the Redbirds have two high quality running backs that have helped the team average 5.7ypc and 233 yards per game on the ground.  ISU is also capable of moving the ball through the air with 211 yards per game game coming through this medium.  They are not great on 3rd down, converting just 38% of their attempts and score on 93% of their trips to the redzone. 

Their is a new starting quarterback for ISU this year.  #16 Jake Kolbe had been the starter for 2 years but was replaced by Memphis transfer #4 Brady Davis.  Last year, the Redbirds surprised everyone in Brookings when they started freshmen #10 Malachi Broadnax at quarterback but he has now moved to defensive back for Illinois State.  Davis appears to be a capable passer who can run when he needs to.  On the season Davis has completed 56% of his passes for over 1300 yards and 15 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions.  On the ground he has scampered for 99 yards (before sack yardage is counted).  Against NDSU he passed for right around his average, 200 yards but tossed 2 costly interceptions.  Both of which were caused by pressure in his face from the NDSU front four. 

What really makes the Redbird offense click is their sensational duo of junior running backs #25 James Robinson and #21 Markel Smith.  Robinson has 133 carries for 911 yards and 10 tds while Smith has 72 attempts for 477 yards and 3 tds.  They are both great backs and both have the potential to take it to the house on any given carry.  The Jackrabbit defense will have to be ready for another battering running back.  Robinson is also the Redbirds 4th leading receiver with 11 receptions for 122 and 1 td in 2018.  #46 Timothy McCloyn II doesn't touch the ball but he is a bruising fullback for ISU.   

The receivers are a group who has lost plenty of talent over the past year.  However, the one returning player is a name Jackrabbit fans know well in #11 Spencer Schnell.  The senior leads the team with 38 receptions for 584 yards and 6 touchdowns.  He is joined in the starting lineup by redshirt freshmen #84 Andew Edgar who has 20 receptions for 359 yards and 2 TD and #13 Braxton Haley a junior (14 rec, 162 yds, 2 td).  Schnell is such a challenging cover in the slot.  He is just 5-9 but plays with such good quickness and burst.  He is one of, if not the, best slot receiver in the MVFC.  The Redbirds don't get a lot of production out of their tight ends or H-back in the passing game but the Jacks will need to be aware of #85 Tyler Petkovick and #87 Andrew Gillum in the redzone.  On the season they have just 11 combined catches but four have been for touchdowns.  However, they are both huge men that serve as excellent blockers in the run game.

The Redbird offensive line is excellent in the running game and adequate in the passing attack as they have allowed just 12 sacks on the season.  Year in and year out, ISU trots out one of the biggest offensive lines in the Valley.  This year is no exception.  From left to right they go #71 Drew Himmelman (6-10, 315) sophomore, #59 Gabe Megginson (6-5, 315) junior, #72 Garrett Hirsch (6-2, 300) sophomore, #61 Chad Kanugh (6-6, 315) senior, and #53 Donovin O'Day (6-6, 310) senior.  This group did a decent job against NDSU last weekend so the Jackrabbit defensive line will have to ready to go from the first whistle. 

Defense
The Redbird defense is maybe where they have been most impressive in 2018.  They lost a handful of great players but have restocked with fresh faces who are playing at a high level.  On the season they are giving up just 14 points per game and 3.07 ypc on rushing attempts and 178.4 ypg passing.  This is a very stout defense that will challenge the Jackrabbit offense in every phase.  The Redbirds play a 3-4 hybrid defense after years of playing a 4-3.  They have only forced 11 sacks on the year but those sacks have come from 8 different players and from every level of the defense.  The defense returns just two starters from the team that traveled to Brookings last November.

The strength of the Redbird defense is their linebacker corp. The playmaking group is lead by #39 Zackary Matthews from his outside linebacking spot.  On the season he has 63 tackles, 1 sack, 3 pass breakups and 6 quarterback hits.  Opposite him is #6 Tuvone Clark who is very active posting 34 tackles 7 TFL, and 3 quarterback hits.  In the middle is #50 Ty DeForest who has 30 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and 3 quarterback hits.  This trio appears to be all over the place!  #95 Jason Harris joins group as the Jack backer and he has 13 tackles on the season.  DeForest did not finish the game against NDSU and was replaced by #5 Zeke Vandenburgh who finished with 3 tackles.

The defensive line group is young but big!  At defensive end #8 Romeo McKnight stands 6-5, 250 pounds and has 28 tackles (6.5 for loss), 3 sacks and 7 more quarterback hits.  #99 John Ridgeway is 6-6, 325 pounds and has 22 tackles and 1 sack.  #94 Jason Lewan is 6-6, 270 pounds and has 18 stops on the year.    The group is a sophomore and two redshirt freshmen.  They are young but hungry.  This will be another big test for the #605Hogs.

The defensive backfield is lead by #9 Mitchell Breese at strong safety.  He has 28 stops, 2 INTs, 2 pass breakups, and 2 quarterback hits.  Next to him is #14 Luther Kirk who comes in with 30 tackles, 3 INTs.  The corners are #20 Willie Edwards (38 tackles, 4 breakups, 2 quarterback hits), #3 Devin Taylor (29 tackles, 2 INT, 7 breakups), and #19 Charles Woods (5 tackles).

Special Teams        
For as long as I can remember, Illinois State has had a dangerous returnman on either punts or kickoffs.  This year that man is Spencer Schnell who has the ability to house any punt.  He has an 8.5 yard average on 12 attempts.  He's slippery so the Jacks will have to watch him.  Handling the kick return duties for Illinois State is #24 Christian Uphoff who has a 28 yard avg on 9 returns with a long of 58.

The punting duties belong to #41 JT Bohlken who boasts 36 punts for an impressive 45 yard average.  He has just 5 touchbacks on the season and has landed 16 inside the 20 and has 17 that have traveled 50+ yards.  The kickoff duties belong to #36 Sam Fenlason who on 44 kickoffs has just a 60 yard average with only 14 touchbacks.  He has also kicked 4 out of bounds this season.  Opponents are getting nearly 22 yards per return on this unit. 

Field goal attempts have not been great for the Redbirds in 2018.  Both Bohlken and Fenlason have had their turn at the job.  Between the two they are 5-10 with Bohlken owning the most recent miss against NDSU. This area is a huge advantage for SDSU. 

The Jackrabbits are coming off a poor offensive performance against UNI.  I don't think it gets any easier vs. Illinois State but I bet the young offensive line rebounds with a performance more similar to YSU then UNI.  The defense continues their strong showing and the Jackrabbits win 24-21.

Go Jacks!
Matt