The 2026 Illinois State Redbirds football team will represent Illinois State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Redbirds will be led by 18th-year head coach Brock Spack and play home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
Preseason MVFC poll
The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 14, 2026, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Redbirds were predicted to finish second in the conference.
Schedule
Game summaries All times in Central time
St. Francis (IL) (NAIA)
Statistics SFILILST First downs 9 20 Plays–yards 57–120 55–589 Rushes–yards 37–14 31–353 Passing yards 106 236 Passing: comp–att–int 9–20–1 21–24–0 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 33:57 26:03 Team Category Player Statistics St. Francis (IL) Passing Jonny Sorensen 8/18, 103 yards, INT Rushing Jonny Sorensen 16 carries, 22 yards Receiving Mason Hackman 4 receptions, 83 yards Illinois State Passing Beckham Pellant 6/6, 114 yards, 2 TD Rushing Tyler Lofton 5 carries, 119 yards, 2 TD Receiving Dylan Lord 3 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD
at Western Illinois
Statistics ILSTWIU First downs 29 15 Plays–yards 82–496 63–315 Rushes–yards 47–239 23–52 Passing yards 257 263 Passing: comp–att–int 16–35–1 23–40–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 34:11 25:49 Team Category Player Statistics Illinois State Passing Beckham Pellant 8/22, 132 yards, TD, INT Rushing Chase Kwiatkowski 4 carries, 76 yards Receiving Dylan Lord 5 receptions, 72 yards Western Illinois Passing Cason Carswell 9/18, 140 yards Rushing Josh Robinson 5 carries, 22 yards Receiving Christian Anaya 4 receptions, 78 yards
at Northern Illinois (FBS)
Statistics ILSTNIU First downs 19 20 Plays–yards 63–254 66–308 Rushes–yards 36–101 36–112 Passing yards 153 196 Passing: comp–att–int 21–27–2 23–30–2 Turnovers 2 2 Time of possession 31:16 28:44 Team Category Player Statistics Illinois State Passing Gage Roy 20/23, 146 yards, 2 TD Rushing Victor Dawson 12 carries, 46 yards Receiving Dylan Lord 8 receptions, 62 yards, TD Northern Illinois Passing Taron Dickens 22/27, 193 yards, TD, INT Rushing Telly Johnson Jr. 22 carries, 83 yards, TD Receiving DeAree Rogers 11 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Eastern Illinois (Mid-America Classic)
Statistics EIUILST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Eastern Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Northern Iowa
Statistics ILSTUNI First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving Northern Iowa Passing Rushing Receiving
No. 2 South Dakota State
Statistics SDSTILST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota State Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Southern Illinois
Statistics ILSTSIU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving Southern Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving
Indiana State
Statistics INSTILST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving
Murray State
Statistics MURILST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving
at North Dakota
Statistics ILSTUND First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving North Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving
at Youngstown State
Statistics ILSTYSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving Youngstown State Passing Rushing Receiving
South Dakota
Statistics SDAKILST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving
Ranking movements
References