'Birds equal highest ranking in school history

[OCT. 17, 2006]  NORMAL -- Illinois State's dominant 37-10 victory over then No. 7-ranked Southern Illinois, coupled with the loss of previously No. 1-rated New Hampshire, elevated the Redbirds into the No. 3 position in both The Sports Network I-AA College Football Poll and the CSN Coaches Poll on Monday.

The No. 3 ranking equals the highest ranking in Illinois State history, when the Redbirds were ranked No. 3 in the final poll of the 1999 season. To climb into the No. 3 position, not only did the Redbirds jump New Hampshire, but also Cal Poly, which was idle last week. The Redbirds received 2,401 votes in The Sports Network poll, including 11 first-place tallies.

Appalachian State, the defending national champion, claimed the No. 1 spot with 2,693 votes, while Montana is second with 2,498. Youngstown State, ISU's opponent on Oct. 28, moved up to the No. 5 position, while Southern Illinois fell to No. 13 after the loss. Northern Iowa remained at No. 14 to give the Gateway Football Conference four teams in the top 25.

The No. 3 Redbirds return to action on Saturday, when the 'Birds travel to Western Illinois. The game will kick off at 1:05 p.m. [Pre-game notes]

[News release provided by Todd Kober, assistant athletics director, media relations, Illinois State University]

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