The 13th-ranked Illinois State Redbirds (4-2) return from a bye week, still looking for their first Missouri Valley Football Conference win of the season as they visit the Southern Illinois Salukis (3-4) on Saturday, with both teams on two-game losing streaks.
Sep 19, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Southern Illinois Salukis quarterback DJ Williams (1) hands the ball to running back Chandler Chapman (8)during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
How to Watch Illinois State vs Southern Illinois
- When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
- Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN U
- Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Southern Illinois fell to 1-2 in MVFC play last week with a 31-10 loss at then-No. 12 South Dakota. The Salukis scored their only touchdown late in the first half when DJ Williams and Kyle Thomas hooked up on a seven-yard pass play. Williams finished 18-of-29 for 179 yards while Chandler Chapman ran for 91 yards on 20 carries.
Illinois State went into its bye off a 31-14 loss to visiting South Dakota State, then ranked No. 2, on Oct. 3. The Redbirds turned the ball over three times while Chase Kwiatkowski scored a pair of one-yard touchdown runs as Illinois State fell to 0-2 in conference action. Gage Roy finished 16-of-32 for 141 yards and threw two interceptions while Victor Dawson fought for 67 yards on 22 carries.
The Salukis handed the host Redbirds a 37-7 loss in last season’s regular-season finale on Nov. 22 before Illinois State went on a run to the FCS tournament final. Southern Illinois leads the all-time series 34-22-1.
Roy has thrown for 862 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions for Illinois State while Dylan Lord checks in with 36 receptions for 389 yards and five scores. Tyler Lofton leads the ground game with 289 yards and four TDs. Williams enters play with 1,171 yards to go with five touchdowns and three picks for Southern Illinois and Chapman paces the running game with 487 yards. Thomas is the top receiver with 30 catches, 491 yards and four TDs.
This is a great college football matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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