The FCS is set to throw a party in Nashville, Tennessee, although Illinois State is going to consider its spot in the national championship game as more a business trip. Here’s a review of how the Redbirds advanced past Villanova in the semifinal round.
Montana State’s rabid fan base surely will outnumber the Illinois State faithful at the 2025 FCS championship game on Jan. 5 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Illinois State Redbirds won’t be fazed a bit given the amazing story they’ve written during the playoffs.
With a 30-14 victory at No. 12 seed Villanova in a national semifinal Saturday night, the Redbirds became the first team to win four road games in a single playoff – and it’s all part of a nine-game road winning streak since mid-September.
Additionally, coach Brock Spack’s 12-4 squad is the first unseeded team in an FCS playoff with 16 seeds (the 1995-2000 and 2024-25 seasons) to advance to the national championship game.
FCS Playoffs – Semifinals
Illinois State (12-4) 30, No. 12 seed Villanova (12-3) 14
How It Happened – Illinois State never trailed in the game, as quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz connected for two more touchdown passes and Victor Dawson continued to be a playoff workhorse with 34 carries for 155 yards and a TD.
Game Ball – The Redbirds defense, anchored all season by two-time All-America linebacker Tye Niekamp, held Villanova to just two field goals until the game’s final 3½ minutes and only 300 yards. The Wildcats were a mere 1 of 10 on third down attempts.
Three Key Stats – Illinois State has given the Missouri Valley Football Conference a national finalist for a record 15th consecutive season. … Michael Cosentino hadn’t attempted a kick all season but was perfect while going 3 of 3 on extra points in the first half and 3 of 3 on field goal attempts in the second half. … In the Redbirds’ last three games, Rittenhouse has thrown seven TDs to Sobkowicz. In each of those games, Dawson has furthered a career high for carries and rushing yards.
The Takeaway – The Redbirds have earned their way through the bracket, eliminating 2024 national champion North Dakota State and three other teams that were a combined 42-8 entering their matchups. They’ll be an underdog in Nashville against a Montana State squad making its third title game appearance in the last five seasons, but they’re playing their best football of the season.
Up Next – Illinois State and No. 2 seed Montana State (12-2) will be meeting for the first time when they square off on Jan. 5 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Redbirds’ only previous championship game appearance was a 29-27 loss to North Dakota State to cap the 2014 season.
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Ticket Punched to Nashville: Illinois State Tops Villanova in FCS Playoffs Semifinal Opta Analyst.
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