The final home game of the season for Illinois State brings Murray State to Hancock Stadium, as the Redbirds (5-4, 3-3 MVFC) take on the Racers (2-7, 1-5 MVFC) for a Senior Day matchup in the second-to-last game of the 2023 campaign
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After helping lead Illinois State to a thrilling 36-35 win on the road at Missouri State, Illinois State junior running back Mason Blakemore was been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Week by the league office. The weekly honor is the second for Blakemore this season.
A balanced passing attack has been a calling card for the Redbird offense this season, and that was no different in ISU's narrow win at Missouri State. Six different receivers caught passes that contest, and even quarterback Zack Annexstad got into the action with his second reception on the season on a trick play. The Redbirds finished the game with three receivers recording over 80 yards (Daniel Sobkowicz 98, Eddie Kasper 84, Cam Grandy 80) in the same game for the first time since September 15, 2012.
The Racers head into the game with an 2-7 overall record and a 1-5 mark in Missouri Valley Football Conference action, with their lone conference win coming at home against Indiana State. Murray State scored three second-half touchdowns, but dropped a 45-31 loss in their first meeting with North Dakota last Saturdayat Roy Stewart Stadium.
Game time is 11 am Saturday.
