Brock Spack has won more games than any coach in Illinois State football history.
At his weekly news conference on Tuesday, the veteran head coach of the Redbirds struggled to come up with many of his previous 120 triumphs that matched what the Redbirds did on Saturday.
ISU dethroned the top-ranked and defending FCS [Football Championship Subdivision] champion North Dakota State in a come-from-behind 29-28 win to advance to the FCS quarterfinals.
“I’m sure they wanted to hear that was the best [win]. I didn’t want to give them that satisfaction,” Spack joked, referring to questions from Fargo-area media immediately after the game.
“I’d have to admit here, it was at least a top three, but I would say probably one of the best moments.”
Spack compared the postseason victory to several wins ISU has compiled against FBS [Football Bowl Subdivision] opponents during his 18-year tenure: Northwestern, Eastern Michigan and Colorado State. Spack also led the Redbirds to the FCS championship game in 2015.
The powerhouse Bison, winners of 10 national championships since 2011, had compiled a 38-1 postseason record in the Fargodome before Saturday.
The improbable win over NDSU, two months after ISU lost to the Bison in Normal, lifted ISU into the FCS quarterfinals for a postseason rematch with UC-Davis [9-3] at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Aggies eliminated ISU in the second round of the playoffs last season.
Road success
That game in Davis, California, last December marks the last time ISU [10-4] lost on the road to an FCS opponent. The Redbirds opened the season with a loss at FBS power Oklahoma and have since reeled off seven straight road wins.
Spack said the team’s success away from Hancock Stadium is a sign they are “comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
“If you want to win championships, you’ve got to play well on the road,” Spack told reporters.
Spack said the Redbirds dealt with lots of discomfort on Saturday, suffering five interceptions including one returned for a touchdown and punt return for a score as they fell behind 21-7 in the second quarter.
“It looked like it was going to be 50-0 the other way. To be able to take shots like that and get off the canvas and take the fight back to the middle of the ring and really dominate the game statistically — that was pretty impressive I thought,” Spack said.
Spack commended quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse for bouncing back after throwing five interceptions to lead the Redbirds on two late scoring drives for the 29-28 comeback win.
“Not too many quarterbacks I’ve been around could ever do what he did Saturday,” Spack said, comparing the senior signal-caller to Drew Brees, an eventual Hall of Famer who played at Purdue when Spack was defensive coordinator there.
“I think that’s one of his idols and he’s got a little of that in him. He’s just mentally tough,” Spack said. “I’d take him in any fight.”
Spack said he was concerned about the potential for a letdown this week after such a big win, but after their first practice this week, he feels his team is still focused.
“I thought today I was going to have to bark a little bit more to get their attention. I didn’t raise my voice one time today,” he said.
The winner Saturday plays in the semifinals on Dec. 20 against the winner of Villanova and Tarleton State.
