Illinois State Redbirds Face Off in FCS Title Game, a Moment Jake Cestone Will Never Forget
In a thrilling turn of events, Illinois State's 2026 recruiting class, including local standout Jake Cestone from Nazareth, will finally get to witness his future team take the field in person. As part of seven Illinois State players currently on the roster, Cestone has been eagerly awaiting this moment.
The Redbirds, with a remarkable record of 12-4 and their sights set on claiming their first national championship, have captivated fans with their impressive playoff run. Their journey to the title game was nothing short of Cinderella-esque, with wins over four ranked teams on the road. The most stunning victory came against top-ranked North Dakota State in the round of 16, where they emerged victorious with a thrilling 29-28 win.
Coach Brock Spack's leadership has been instrumental in the team's success, earning him the distinction as Illinois State's all-time wins leader in his 17th season. Cestone was impressed by Spack's transparency during the recruiting process, stating that the coach prioritized hard work over financial incentives. This approach resonated with Cestone and other local talent, including quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and receiver Danlel Sobkowicz.
Rittenhouse has been a force to be reckoned with on the field, throwing for 3,257 yards and a program-record 36 touchdowns while also running for seven scores. Sobkowicz, meanwhile, leads the team in receptions (257) and receiving TDs (40), just needing 58 more yards to break the program's career record for receiving yards.
The team's stability, largely due to Spack's commitment to the Illinois State community, has made a significant impact on Cestone's decision to join the Redbirds. As he watches his new teammates compete in the FCS title game, Cestone can't help but feel a sense of pride and belonging.
With kickoff set for 6:30 p.m., fans from both Illinois State and Montana State will gather at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville to witness history unfold. Will the Redbirds bring home their first national championship? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Jake Cestone and his fellow Illinois State players are ready to make it happen.
In a thrilling turn of events, Illinois State's 2026 recruiting class, including local standout Jake Cestone from Nazareth, will finally get to witness his future team take the field in person. As part of seven Illinois State players currently on the roster, Cestone has been eagerly awaiting this moment.
The Redbirds, with a remarkable record of 12-4 and their sights set on claiming their first national championship, have captivated fans with their impressive playoff run. Their journey to the title game was nothing short of Cinderella-esque, with wins over four ranked teams on the road. The most stunning victory came against top-ranked North Dakota State in the round of 16, where they emerged victorious with a thrilling 29-28 win.
Coach Brock Spack's leadership has been instrumental in the team's success, earning him the distinction as Illinois State's all-time wins leader in his 17th season. Cestone was impressed by Spack's transparency during the recruiting process, stating that the coach prioritized hard work over financial incentives. This approach resonated with Cestone and other local talent, including quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and receiver Danlel Sobkowicz.
Rittenhouse has been a force to be reckoned with on the field, throwing for 3,257 yards and a program-record 36 touchdowns while also running for seven scores. Sobkowicz, meanwhile, leads the team in receptions (257) and receiving TDs (40), just needing 58 more yards to break the program's career record for receiving yards.
The team's stability, largely due to Spack's commitment to the Illinois State community, has made a significant impact on Cestone's decision to join the Redbirds. As he watches his new teammates compete in the FCS title game, Cestone can't help but feel a sense of pride and belonging.
With kickoff set for 6:30 p.m., fans from both Illinois State and Montana State will gather at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville to witness history unfold. Will the Redbirds bring home their first national championship? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Jake Cestone and his fellow Illinois State players are ready to make it happen.
They've had an amazing season so far and Coach Spack is the real MVP. I love that he prioritized hard work over financial incentives, it's all about the passion for the game! 
The team's stability in the community has made a huge difference, I can feel Jake's excitement and pride to be part of this squad 
. This FCS title game is gonna be EPIC!!! 
I'm not buying into all this hype about the Redbirds making a Cinderella run to the FCS title game. I mean, they've got some decent wins under their belt, but 12-4? That's just a fluke. Coach Spack might be a great leader and all, but let's not forget that recruiting class is gonna be a disaster. I'm guessing most of those Illinois State players are just looking for a full ride to get their education paid for and then what? They'll probably end up playing in the NFL or something 
. And don't even get me started on the financial incentives – I'm pretty sure Spack knows exactly how to use his "transparency" to lure in talent with empty promises of success. Mark my words, this team is gonna be a hot mess in no time 
. Coach Spack's leadership is all about the players, not just about winning a title 
. It's awesome to see Jake Cestone and his teammates finally getting to witness their hard work pay off in person 
! With Rittenhouse and Sobkowicz leading the charge, I'm all about that Redbird nation 
️! Who's gonna bring home the FCS title? Can't wait to find out 
.
️ "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." 
It's awesome to see how passionate fans like Jake Cestone are about their favorite team, the Redbirds! The team's success and stability are a testament to Coach Spack's leadership. I hope they make history and win that championship! 
The way that coach Brock Spack led those guys to the title game is pure inspiration! He's not just a coach, he's a leader who puts the team first. I love how he kept it real with Jake Cestone during the recruiting process, no BS, all heart. And Cestone, what a story! From Nazareth to being part of this amazing Redbirds squad... 
jake cestone is gonna make us all proud with his skills on the field 
and can we talk about rittenhouse tho 
36 touchdowns & counting?!