Another week, another huge game with playoff implications for Illinois State as it hosts Northern Iowa on Saturday at Hancock Stadium.
The Redbirds (4-3, 2-2 MVFC) and the No. 23 ranked Panthers (4-3, 3-1 MVFC) both sit in the middle of the crowded MVFC standings needing to stay near the top to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The tandem of quarterback Zack Annexstad and Daniel Sobkowicz has become of the most prolific in recent memory for the Redbirds and one of the best in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The pair connected for three touchdowns and 170 yards against Youngstown State, with Annexstad targeting his No. 1 wideout a season-high 19 times.
The Panthers head into the game with an 4-3 overall record and a 3-1 mark in Missouri Valley Football Conference action.
Defense and a dominant running performance was the name of the game for the Panthers last weekend, as they recorded their first shutout of the season in a 27-0 victory against the No. 11 North Dakota inside the UNI-Dome.
Game time is noon Saturday in Normal.
