Blank Calendar 2024

The Illinois State University Redbirds football team will play a 12-game schedule in 2024, including six home games at Hancock Stadium.

The Redbirds will open the season on August 31 at home against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. They will then play at the Kansas Jayhawks on September 7 and at the Western Michigan Broncos on September 14. ISU will have its first bye week of the season on September 21.

Redbirds Schedule 2024

The Illinois State University Redbirds football team will play a 12-game schedule in 2024, including six home games at Hancock Stadium.

• Season opener: August 31 vs. Eastern Illinois
• First road game: September 7 at Kansas
• First bye week: September 21
• Homecoming: October 5 vs. Southern Illinois
• Senior Day: November 16 vs. Northern Iowa
• Regular season finale: November 23 at Missouri State

The Redbirds will look to improve on their 5-6 record from 2023 and make a run at the FCS playoffs.

Season opener: August 31 vs. Eastern Illinois

The Redbirds will open the 2024 season at home against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. The Panthers are a fellow member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and have been a competitive opponent for the Redbirds in recent years.

• Renewed rivalry

  The Redbirds and Panthers have a long and storied rivalry, dating back to 1901. The two schools are located just 90 miles apart and have played each other 100 times, with the Redbirds holding a 56-41-3 advantage.

• Tough test

  The Panthers are a perennial contender in the MVFC and have won the conference championship twice in the past five years. They return a number of key players from last year’s team, including quarterback Otto Kuhns and running back Drake White.

• Home-field advantage

  The Redbirds will be looking to take advantage of their home-field advantage in the season opener. Hancock Stadium is one of the most intimidating venues in the FCS and the Redbirds have a strong record at home.

• Set the tone

  The season opener is an important game for the Redbirds, as it will set the tone for the rest of the season. A win over a tough opponent like Eastern Illinois would give the Redbirds a lot of confidence heading into the rest of the schedule.

The Redbirds will need to be at their best to beat the Panthers in the season opener. But if they can get a win, it will be a great start to the 2024 season.

First road game: September 7 at Kansas

The Redbirds’ first road game of the 2024 season will be a tough one, as they travel to Lawrence, Kansas, to take on the Kansas Jayhawks. The Jayhawks are a member of the Big 12 Conference and are coming off a 6-7 season in 2023.

Kansas is led by head coach Lance Leipold, who is entering his fourth season with the program. Leipold has a reputation for turning around struggling programs, and he has already led the Jayhawks to a bowl game in his first three seasons.

The Jayhawks have a number of talented players on their roster, including quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal. Daniels is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat teams with his arm and his legs. Neal is a shifty running back who is one of the most dangerous playmakers in the Big 12.

The Redbirds will need to be at their best to beat the Jayhawks on the road. But if they can pull off the upset, it would be a major statement win for the program.

The Redbirds and Jayhawks have only met once before, in 2013. The Jayhawks won that game 34-14.

First bye week: September 21

The Redbirds will have their first bye week of the 2024 season on September 21. Bye weeks are important for teams to rest and recover, and to prepare for the second half of the season.

• Rest and recovery

  The Redbirds will have a chance to rest and recover during their bye week. This is important for players who have been banged up during the first four games of the season.

• Game planning

  The Redbirds will also use their bye week to game plan for the second half of the season. They will have a chance to study their upcoming opponents and make adjustments to their own game plan.

• Recruiting

  The Redbirds may also use their bye week to do some recruiting. They will have a chance to visit with potential recruits and show them around campus.

• Off-field activities

  The Redbirds may also use their bye week to participate in some off-field activities. This could include community service, team bonding activities, or simply spending time with family and friends.

The Redbirds will have a chance to use their bye week to their advantage and come back refreshed and ready to finish the season strong.

Homecoming: October 5 vs. Southern Illinois

The Redbirds’ homecoming game in 2024 will be on October 5 against the Southern Illinois Salukis. The Salukis are a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and are a longtime rival of the Redbirds.

Southern Illinois is led by head coach Nick Hill, who is entering his fifth season with the program. Hill has a reputation for developing successful offenses, and the Salukis have been one of the most productive offensive teams in the MVFC in recent years.

The Salukis have a number of talented players on their roster, including quarterback Nic Baker and wide receiver Avante Cox. Baker is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat teams with his arm and his legs. Cox is a big and physical wide receiver who is one of the best pass-catchers in the MVFC.

The Redbirds will need to be at their best to beat the Salukis on homecoming. But if they can pull off the win, it would be a major victory for the program.

The Redbirds and Salukis have a long and storied rivalry, dating back to 1904. The two schools are located just 120 miles apart and have played each other 105 times, with the Redbirds holding a 58-42-5 advantage.

Senior Day: November 16 vs. Northern Iowa

The Redbirds’ Senior Day game in 2024 will be on November 16 against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Senior Day is a special day for the Redbirds, as they honor their senior class and their contributions to the program.

• Celebrate the seniors

  The Redbirds will honor their senior class on Senior Day. This is a special day for the seniors, as it is their last home game as a Redbird.

• Show appreciation

  The Redbirds will show their appreciation for their seniors by giving them gifts and speeches. The seniors will also have a chance to say goodbye to the fans and thank them for their support.

• Emotional day

  Senior Day is an emotional day for everyone involved. The seniors are saying goodbye to their college football careers, and the fans are saying goodbye to some of their favorite players.

• Win for the seniors

  The Redbirds will be looking to win their Senior Day game for their seniors. A win would be the perfect way to send the seniors out on a high note.

The Redbirds and Panthers have a long and storied rivalry, dating back to 1902. The two schools are located just 200 miles apart and have played each other 104 times, with the Redbirds holding a 54-47-3 advantage.

Regular season finale: November 23 at Missouri State

The Redbirds’ regular season finale in 2024 will be on November 23 at Missouri State. The Bears are a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and are a longtime rival of the Redbirds.

Missouri State is led by head coach Bobby Petrino, who is entering his sixth season with the program. Petrino is a veteran coach who has a history of success at the college and professional levels.

The Bears have a number of talented players on their roster, including quarterback Jason Shelley and running back Kevon Latson. Shelley is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat teams with his arm and his legs. Latson is a powerful running back who is one of the best rushers in the MVFC.

The Redbirds will need to be at their best to beat the Bears on the road in the regular season finale. But if they can pull off the win, it would be a major victory for the program and could help them secure a spot in the FCS playoffs.

The Redbirds and Bears have a long and storied rivalry, dating back to 1908. The two schools are located just 150 miles apart and have played each other 103 times, with the Redbirds holding a 55-44-4 advantage.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Redbirds’ 2024 schedule:

Question 1: When is the Redbirds’ first home game?
Answer 1: The Redbirds’ first home game is on September 7 against the Eastern Illinois Panthers.

Question 2: When is the Redbirds’ homecoming game?
Answer 2: The Redbirds’ homecoming game is on October 5 against the Southern Illinois Salukis.

Question 3: When is the Redbirds’ Senior Day game?
Answer 3: The Redbirds’ Senior Day game is on November 16 against the Northern Iowa Panthers.

Question 4: When is the Redbirds’ regular season finale?
Answer 4: The Redbirds’ regular season finale is on November 23 at Missouri State.

Question 5: How many home games do the Redbirds have in 2024?
Answer 5: The Redbirds have six home games in 2024.

Question 6: How many road games do the Redbirds have in 2024?
Answer 6: The Redbirds have six road games in 2024.

Question 7: Who is the Redbirds’ biggest rival?
Answer 7: The Redbirds’ biggest rival is the Missouri State Bears.

We hope this FAQ has answered your questions about the Redbirds’ 2024 schedule. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Illinois State University Athletics Department.

Now that you know all about the Redbirds’ 2024 schedule, here are a few tips for making the most of your gameday experience:

Tips

Here are a few tips for making the most of your Redbirds football gameday experience in 2024:

Tip 1: Buy your tickets early. Tickets for Redbirds football games tend to sell out quickly, so it’s important to buy your tickets as early as possible. You can purchase tickets online, by phone, or in person at the Illinois State University Athletics Ticket Office.

Tip 2: Arrive early. Traffic and parking can be congested on gamedays, so it’s important to arrive at the stadium early. This will give you plenty of time to find your seats and enjoy the pre-game festivities.

Tip 3: Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking on gameday, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. You’ll also want to dress in layers, as the weather can be unpredictable in Illinois.

Tip 4: Be respectful of other fans. Redbirds football games are a great place to meet new people and make friends. However, it’s important to be respectful of other fans, even if they’re cheering for the other team.

We hope these tips help you make the most of your Redbirds football gameday experience in 2024. Go Redbirds!

We hope this article has been helpful in providing you with all the information you need to know about the Redbirds’ 2024 schedule. We look forward to seeing you at Hancock Stadium this fall!

Conclusion

The Redbirds’ 2024 schedule is a challenging one, but it is also a schedule that is full of opportunities. The Redbirds will have the chance to play at home against some of the best teams in the FCS, and they will also have the chance to test themselves against some of the best teams in the FBS. If the Redbirds can stay healthy and play to their potential, they have the chance to have a successful season in 2024.

The Redbirds will open the season at home against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. This will be a tough test for the Redbirds, as the Panthers are a perennial contender in the MVFC. However, the Redbirds will have the home-field advantage, and they will be looking to start the season with a win.

The Redbirds will then hit the road to take on the Kansas Jayhawks. This will be a tough test for the Redbirds, as the Jayhawks are a member of the Big 12 Conference. However, the Redbirds will be looking to pull off the upset and prove that they can compete with anyone.

The Redbirds will have their first bye week of the season on September 21. This will give the Redbirds a chance to rest and recover, and to prepare for the second half of the season.

The Redbirds will then return to action on September 28 when they host the Southern Illinois Salukis. This will be the Redbirds’ homecoming game, and they will be looking to put on a show for their fans.

The Redbirds will then hit the road to take on the Northern Iowa Panthers. This will be a tough test for the Redbirds, as the Panthers are one of the best teams in the FCS. However, the Redbirds will be looking to pull off the upset and prove that they are a contender for the FCS championship.

The Redbirds will then close out the regular season at Missouri State. This will be a tough test for the Redbirds, as the Bears are a perennial contender in the MVFC. However, the Redbirds will be looking to finish the season strong and secure a spot in the FCS playoffs.

We hope this article has been helpful in providing you with all the information you need to know about the Redbirds’ 2024 schedule. We look forward to seeing you at Hancock Stadium this fall!