Illinois State is back in the playoffs for the second-straight season it travels to Hammond, Louisiana, to take on No. 16 seed Southeastern Louisiana (9-3, 7-1 SLC) in the first round of the 2025 Division I FCS playoffs.

Last week, No. 24-ranked Salukis (7-5, 4-4 MVFC) controlled the game from start to finish and handed the No. 11-ranked Redbirds (8-4, 5-3 MVFC) a 37-7 loss on Senior Day at Hancock Stadium.

Tye Niekamp recorded 16 tackles to tie his career-high. QB Tommy Rittenhouse scored on the ground for the fifth straight game.

The Lions finished second in the Southland Conference standings for the second straight year. Twin Cities product Carson Camp (1,674 yards, 14 TD, 4 INT) and Kyle Lowe (770 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT) have split time under center for the Lions.

Game time is noon on Saturday.