After playing three-straight games away from home, Illinois State (2-2, 0-1 MVFC) returns to the nest this Saturday for a match up against No. 16 ranked Missouri State (2-1, 1-0 MVFC) at Hancock Stadium.

MSU is off to a 2-1 start to the season, thanks to a 43-34 win over No. 16 Central Arkansas in the home opener and a win over South Dakota last week in the MVFC opener. The Bears head into this week's game at Illinois State ranked No. 16 in the country in both major FCS Top 25 polls.

The Redbirds were rolled by Southern Illinois last Saturday 35-17 in Carbondale. Freshman running back Cole Mueller has found a way to make things happen with the ball in his hands in the open field so far this season. The Wentzville, Missouri, native averaged 6.2 yards per carry with a 40-yard burst last week. He's currently averaging 8.3 yards per carry, which ranks him No. 5 in the country and No. 2 in the MVFC. For the second time this season, Illinois State picked off a pair of passes in their contest at Southern Illinois with both coming from Redbird linebackers. 

Game time is 1 pm from Hancock Stadium.