Illinois St. quarterback issue up in the air

NORMAL -- Illinois State football coach Brock Spack may relish having 18 returning starters. It's who should be the Redbirds' quarterback that's the nagging question in Normal.

Spack says the competition between sophomore Matt Brown and junior Drew Kiel "should be hot and heavy."

Kiel had been the starter before his season-ending wrist injury in last year's opener gave way to Brown. Brown went on to be the Missouri Valley's freshman of the year, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,369 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Redbirds last season went 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the league. They're picked to finish third in the conference this year.

Illinois State opens the season Sept. 2 against visiting Central Missouri.