Illinois State Redbirds football

History

Prior to 1923, the Illinois State football team was known as the Teachers or the Fighting Teachers. When Clifford E. Horton began coaching the team in 1923, he proposed the Cardinals as the team's new nickname, after its red and white colors. Fred Young, the sports editor for The Pantagraph in Bloomington, Illinois, changed the name to the Redbirds to distinguish the team from the nearby St. Louis Cardinals.

Classifications

• 1906–1956: None
• 1956–1972: NCAA College Division (Small College)
• 1973–1975: NCAA Division II
• 1976–1977: NCAA Division I
• 1978–1981: NCAA Division I–A
• 1982–2006: NCAA Division I–AA
• 2006–present: NCAA Division I FCS

Conference memberships

• 1887–1907: Independent
• 1908–1949: Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
• 1950–1969: Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
• 1970–1972: Independent
• 1973–1975: Division II Independent
• 1976–1977: Division I Independent
• 1978–1980: Division I–A Independent
• 1981–1985: Missouri Valley Conference
• 1986–present: Gateway Football Conference/Missouri Valley Football Conference

Conference championships

Illinois State has won 10 conference titles, four outright.

† Co-championship

Postseason appearances

NCAA Division I-AA/FCS playoffs

The Redbirds have made ten appearances in the Division I–AA/FCS playoffs, with a combined record of 15–10.

Bowl games

Illinois State has one bowl appearance, going 0–1.

Wins over FBS teams

Head coaches

Rivalries

Eastern Illinois

Main article: Mid-America Classic

The Mid-America Classic is the rivalry game between Illinois State and Eastern Illinois. The rivalry began in 1901 and is the oldest in the state of Illinois. With the 100th game in the series, representatives from both schools met and developed the Mid-America Classic renaming for the rivalry. The two schools also collaborated on a traveling trophy, which holds plaques with the results of the previous 100 games in the series and has room for results of future games in the series. The two teams have played 113 times in total, with Illinois State holding a 61–43–9 advantage in the all-time series as of the 2025 season.

National award winners

Mosi Tatupu Award

• Ryan Hoffman, 2005

The Mosi Tatupu Award was given annually to the College Football Special Teams Player of the Year by the Maui Quarterback Club and the Hula Bowl, from 1997 to 2006.

Buck Buchanan Award

• Zeke Vandenburgh, 2023

The Buck Buchanan Award is given annually to the College Football Best Defensive Player in the FCS by Stats Perform, from 1995 to present.

Notable former players

Notable alumni include:

• B. J. Bello
• Duane Butler
• Aveion Cason
• Luke Drone
• Kevin Glenn
• Boomer Grigsby
• Chris Faletto
• Jim Fitzpatrick
• Larry Fitzpatrick
• Davontae Harris
• Shelby Harris
• Brent Hawkins
• Estus Hood
• Jason Johnson
• Andy King
• John Kropke
• Cameron Meredith
• Jim Meyer
• Matthew Goldsmith (CFL)
• Tom Nelson
• James O'Shaughnessy
• Nate Palmer
• Mike Prior
• Tre Roberson
• James Robinson
• Laurent Robinson
• Joe Vodicka
• Cody White
• Mike Zimmer
• Colton Underwood
• Michael Liedtke

Redbirds drafted into the NFL

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of January 13, 2026.

References

References

1. (September 16, 1971). "Redbirds result of teamwork". [[The Pantagraph]].
2. DeLassus, David. "Division I-AA All-Time Wins". [[College Football Data Warehouse]].
3. "2021 Redbird Football Media Guide". Illinois State University Athletics Department.
4. "Illinois State, Eastern Illinois unveil Mid America Classic trophy - WJBC - the Voice of Central Illinois".
5. "Matthew Goldsmith".
6. "Illinois State Redbirds Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com.