In 2014, Illinois State and North Dakota State played in one of the most

memorable FCS Championship games in history to end the season in Frisco, Texas - ten years later, the No. 15 ranked Redbirds (3-1) will host the No. 2 ranked Bison (3-1) in a pivotal FCS Top 25 matchup as part of Homecoming celebrations at ISU.

The Bison are currently ranked No. 2 in both of the FCS national polls, behind only rival and defending national champion South Dakota State with a 3-1 overall record. Their lone loss came in the season opener at FBS Colorado by just five points, 31-26, in Boulder, Colorado. They have since rolled off three-straight wins against Tennessee State, East Tennessee State and last week over Towson.

Running back CharMar Brown rushed for a career-high 126 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bison to the  41-24 homecoming win over the Tigers and Cam Miller finished 17 of 19 for 219 yards with a touchdown for the Bison.

Brown and Jackson Williams both earned MVFC player of the week for their performances in the win over victory over Towson. 

Three times in 2023, the Redbirds offense eclipsed 500 yards or more of total offense in a resurgent year on that side of the football. It took four games in 2024, but the Redbirds recorded their first 500-plus yards offensive performance of the season with 518 in their 31-7 win over in-state rival Eastern Illinois.

Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse had a near perfect performance in Illinois State's dominating 31-7 win over rival Eastern Illinois. The Geneva native completed 17-for-22 passes and recorded season bests in passing yards and touchdowns in the victory over the Panthers. Rittenhouse threw for a season-high 228 yards and a career-best three touchdowns in the win, while also rushing for 47 yards, which included a long run of 30 yards.

Daniel Sobkowicz and Xavier Loyd. Sobkowicz combined for 168 yards receiving in the win against Eastern Illinois, with Sobkowicz leading the way with 93 yards on seve

Game time is 2 pm Saturday.