Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Tye Niekamp across Football.
The 49th season of FCS football in 2026 will spotlight a mix of award‑winning quarterbacks, record‑setting receivers, and disruptive pass rushers as teams gear up for another year of high‑stakes competition.
The Illinois State Redbirds were selected second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll, earning three first‑place votes and 256 points, while twelve players earned watch‑list honors and the team opens the 2026 season on August 29 at home against St. Francis.
A record 101 athletes from 53 schools and 13 conferences make up the 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All‑America Team, with Montana State and South Dakota State topping the list of selections.
The latest preseason All‑American selections highlight the depth of talent entering the 2026 season, featuring standout performers from across the FCS landscape.
Four Illinois State University football players have been named preseason FCS All‑Americans by Stats Perform, highlighting a strong returning core for the Redbirds.
Illinois State University will host St. Francis (Ill.) on August 29, 2026, in the latest chapter of a series that has favored the Redbirds since 1991. With a perfect 3‑0 edge, a 9‑0 road streak in 2025, and a roster packed with award‑winning talent, the team looks to keep its playoff momentum alive.
From a 14‑point comeback against North Dakota State to an overtime showdown with Montana State, the Redbirds’ journey blended grit, community support and unprecedented national visibility.