Thanks to a thrilling 37-34 come-from-behind victory last week at Western Illinois, No. 9 Illinois State (6-0, 3-0 MVFC) remained undefeated on the season and came away 2-0 from a tough road swing. The Redbirds return home to Hancock Stadium Saturday, but the task will be tough as they host Missouri State (4-3, 1-2 MVFC) under the lights at 6 p.m.

Missouri State quarterback Kierra Harris matched a career-high with three touchdown passes and rushed for another to lead the Bears' offensive attack against South Dakota. Harris has thrown for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns, and added 445 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground this season.

After taking a 10-7 lead with 12:02 to play in the opening half, Illinois State allowed 34 unanswered points to the Bears and committed a season-high five turnovers in a 37-10 loss in the Redbirds' MVFC opener in Springfield, Missouri. The Redbird offense tallied a season-low 214 yards of total offense, including just 46 rush yards on 31 carries in the road defeat. The Redbirds will look to rebound from last year's debacle at home.