Illinois State improved to 7-0 for the first time since the 1932 season after a home win last Saturday against Missouri State. The No. 6 Redbirds (7-0, 4-0 MVFC) will face another tough road challenge this week, when they travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to face No. 22 Northern Iowa (4-4, 2-2 MVFC) at the UNI Dome.

Last year, Illinois State defeated Northern Iowa by a final score of 13-3 on Senior Day at Hancock Stadium. Linebacker Pat Meehan paced a stifling Redbird defense effort with a career-high and team-best 11 tackles and safety Tevin Allen added eight tackles, a tackle-for-loss, an interception and 17-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

With his 148 yards rushing on 31 carries, Redbird running back Marshaun Coprich extended his streak of 100-plus yard rushing performances to seven in a row to start the 2014 season. The Walter Payton Award Watch List selection has now rushed for 992 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season, and is just eight yards away from becoming just the 13th player in ISU history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.

Junior quarterback Tre Roberson led the Redbirds to their third-straight come-from-behind win in the fourth quarter against Missouri State. For his efforts, Roberson was named the MVFC Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season. Roberson finished the game 11-of-18 with 169 yards and two touchdowns through the air and rushed for 85 yards and another score against the Bears.