1968 Illinois State Redbirds football team

The 1968 Illinois State Redbirds football team represented Illinois State University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1968 NCAA College Division football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Larry Bitcon, the Redbirds compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 2–1 in conference play, sharing the IIAC title with Central Michigan for the second consecutive season.[1][2] Illinois State played home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.

1968 Illinois State Redbirds football
IIAC co-champion
ConferenceInterstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record6–4 (2–1 IIAC)
Head coach
MVPGuy Homoly
CaptainDenny Nelson, Hank Guenther
Home stadiumHancock Stadium
Seasons
← 1967
1969 →
1968 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Central Michigan + 2 1 0 7 2 0
Illinois State + 2 1 0 6 4 0
Eastern Illinois 1 2 0 4 5 0
Western Illinois 1 2 0 2 7 1
  • + – Conference co-champions

Schedule

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DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 14at Milwaukee*
W 34–144,500[3]
September 21Illinois Wesleyan*W 34–015,000[4]
September 28Chicago Circle*
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
W 26–1413,000–14,000[5]
October 5at Central Missouri State*Vernon Kennedy FieldL 0–283,500[6]
October 12Eastern IllinoisNo. 18
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL (rivalry)
W 41–148,500[7]
October 19Western Illinois 
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
W 21–1020,000[8]
October 26at Central Michigan
L 16–1912,000[9]
November 2at No. 15 Akron*L 0–463,500–3,559[10][11]
November 9at Ferris State*
L 28–294,000[12]
November 16Bradley*
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
W 42–265,000[13]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[14]

References

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  1. ^ "State Colleges Finish Seasons". Hillsdale Daily News. Associated Press. November 5, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "2021 Redbird Football Media Guide" (PDF). Illinois State University Athletics Department. p. 67. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  3. ^ Kruse, Don (September 15, 1968). "Redbirds Rout Milwaukee, 34-14". The Pantagraph. p. C1. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Young, Fred (September 22, 1968). "ISU Mauls Wesleyan, 34-0". The Pantagraph. p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Young, Fred (September 29, 1968). "Redbirds Upend Chicago, 26-14". The Pantagraph. p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Mules Handle Illinois State". The Kansas City Star. October 6, 1968. p. 75. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Barnhart, Jim (October 13, 1968). "Redbirds Ramble Past Eastern Illinois, 41-14". The Pantagraph. p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Illinois State Wins 21-10". Herald and Review. Associated Press. October 20, 1968. p. 20. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Kruse, Don (October 27, 1968). "CMU Field Goals Stifle ISU". The Pantagraph. p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Bosley, Scott (November 3, 1968). "Zip Homecoming Real Blast!". Akron Beacon-Journal. p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  12. ^ "Ferris Surprises ISU, 29-28". The Pantagraph. November 10, 1968. p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Barnhart, Jim (November 17, 1968). "Redbirds Rap Braves, 42-26". The Pantagraph. p. B1. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 13, 2022.