Coach brings spread offense to ISU

NORMAL -- It may take time for Illinois State University football to regain its winning ways, but the Redbirds promise to be entertaining during the process under new coach Brock Spack.

Spack has installed a spread offense that features a no huddle option that he thinks will cause headaches for opposing defenses.

The Rockford native and former Purdue defensive coordinator takes over a program that went 7-15 the last two seasons after conducting winning campaigns the previous two.

"I recruited Illinois for a long time and always thought (Illinois State) was a great place and I never figured out why they couldn't get in going on a consistent basis," Spack said. "It's a sleeping giant and I think the program could be really good."

Spack hasn't picked his starting quarterback, but he has three capable candidates from which to choose.

Sophomore returnee Drew Kiel threw only 22 passes last fall, but he's the only one with game experience and has the inside track. He's challenged by redshirt freshman Matt Brown, who passed for 6,001 yards at Marion High School. True freshman Matt Lancaster is also in the mix after passing for 5,411 career yards and 58 touchdowns while at West Lafayette (Ind.) High School.

Returning running back Geno Blow rushed for 704 yards and 7 touchdowns last year while wide receiver Eyad Salem had 63 catches for 843 yards and 8 touchdowns. Both are seniors and landed on the preseason all-Missouri Valley Football Conference team.

On defense, the Redbirds return three and three linebackers. Junior defensive back Kelvyn Hemphill landed preseason all-conference honors after recording 79 tackles last season before a season-ending shoulder injury.

Picked for eighth in the nine-team Missouri Valley, the Redbirds open Sept. 3 at Eastern Illinois and travel to Champaign to take on the University of Illinois on Sept. 12. League play begins Sept. 26 at home against South Dakota State.