The Illinois State football team felt right at home playing away from Hancock Stadium on Saturday, just as they have all season.
The unseeded Redbirds [9-4] rolled to a 21-3 victory at No. 16 seed Southeastern Louisiana in the first round of the FCS [Football Championship Subdivision] playoffs at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, Louisiana.
ISU quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse ran for a score and also caught a touchdown pass form Danial Sobkowicz to give the Redbirds a commanding 14-3 lead in the third quarter.
The Illinois State defense intercepted four Southeastern Louisiana passes, including three from Normal West graduate Carson Camp.
After a season-opening defeat to Football Bowl Subdivision [FBS] opponent Oklahoma, ISU has won six consecutive road games. The win against the Lions marks the second-straight playoff-opening win for the Redbirds, who advanced last season by defeating Southeast Missouri State on Thanksgiving weekend.
The Redbirds will visit top-ranked and defending national champion North Dakota State at noon Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Fargodome.
