SETTING THE STAGE
The fifth season of the Trent Miles era continues on Saturday, November 3, as the No. 14/17 Sycamores play their final home game in Missouri Valley Football Conference play against No. 15/17 Illinois State. Saturday's game is set for a 2:05 p.m. (ET) kickoff at Memorial Stadium (12,764). The game will be broadcast live nationally on Comcast SportsNet Chicago with Kurt Pegler (pbp) and Boomer Grigsby (color) on the call. The game will also air live on WIBQ (98.5 FM), with Brian Fritz and Tom James calling the action for the Nelligan Sports Marketing Radio Network. Action can be heard live worldwide on GoSycamores.com. There will also be a pay-per-view web stream provided on GoSycamores.com, as part of the Sycamore Vision subscription service. A complete list of television clearances can be found on page 2 of this release.

FOOTBALL GAMEDAY CENTRAL PRESENTED BY TOYOTA OF TERRE HAUTE
This edition of Football Gameday Central is presented by Toyota of Terre Haute.

THE ILLINOIS STATE SERIES
Illinois State holds a 32-29-2 advantage in the all-time series which dates back to 1924. The Sycamores are 20-10-2 against the Redbirds at home. Indiana State won the last meeting between the two clubs at Memorial Stadium - a 59-24 victory on October 19, 2010 while the Redbirds won 17-14 last year in Normal, Ill.

THE COACHES
INDIANA STATE: Trent Miles (Indiana State '87)
- Overall: 20-34 (5th Season)
- at Indiana State: 20-34 (5th Season)
- vs. ILS: 1-3
- vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference: 14-24
ILLINOIS STATE: Brock Spack (Purdue, '83)
- Overall: 26-16 (4th Season)
- at ILS: 26-16 (4th Season)
- vs. Indiana State: 2-1
- vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference: 19-12

QUICK HITS
- Indiana State is on a five-game winning streak for first time since 1996. The Sycamores have also won each of their last five Missouri Valley Football Conference games and are 5-1 in league play for the first time ever.
- The Sycamores' No. 14 national ranking is tied for its highest since joining the MVFC. It is also the highest ranking for Indiana State in the Trent Miles era.
- Junior tailback Shakir Bell enter Saturday's game with 1,306 yards on the season, just 364 yards behind his school record 1,610 rushing yards which was set last season.

An Indiana State Win Over Illinois State Would ...
• Give Indiana State a 6-1 start to MVFC play for the first time ever and also would mark the first time that the Sycamores have ever recorded six MVFC victories in a single-season.
• Give Indiana State a 8-2 record, its best through 10 games since a 9-1 mark in 1984.
• Be the Sycamores' first-ever victory in a game which features two nationally-ranked programs.
• Give the Sycamores six consecutive victories for the first time since 1984, when they won nine a row.
• Even up the Sycamores' record at home under coach Miles at 14-14.

The Indiana State Head Coach
Indiana State head coach Trent Miles (Indiana State, 1987) is 20-34 (.370) overall in his fifth season as a head coach, all with the Sycamores. He is 14-24 all-time in MVFC games, including an 8-11 mark at home and a 6-13 mark on the road. During his career, he is 13-14 in all home games, 7-20 on the road and 4-3 in games decided by three points or less. Miles is 1-3 all-time against Illinois State, and is 1-1 against the Redbirds at home. With the Trees, Miles is 1-2 in overtime games, and 1-5 in shutouts. Saturday's game is Trent Miles' 55th as Indiana State head coach.

The Illinois State Head Coach
Illinois State is led by fourth year head coach Brock Spack, who is 26-16 at the helm of the Redbird football program. Prior to taking over at Illinois State, Spack was the defensive coordinator at Purdue. Spack is 2-1 against Indiana State, including a mark of 0-1 at Memorial Stadium.

Scouting The Redbirds
Illinois State is ranked No. 15 in this week's FCS Coaches Poll while they are No. 17 in The Sports Network Top 25. The Redbirds are 7-2 on the season, including a 4-2 mark in Missouri Valley Football Conference play and are a perfect 4-0 on the season on the road. The Illinois State defense forced four turnovers to secure a 33-21 victory at Northern Iowa last week and they are off to their best start since 2006. The Redbirds won their first five games out of the gate, including a victory at Eastern Michigan, before falling 17-0 at home to Southern Illinois on October 6. Illinois State has Saturday's game against the Sycamores and a home game on November 17 against No. 1 North Dakota State left on their regular season schedule.

A Little History
This marks the 108th season of football at Indiana State, dating back to 1896. The University did not field teams from 1899 to 1900, 1908 or from 1910 to 1919. ISU owns an all-time record of 358-476-22 and is competing for the 27th consecutive season as a member of the MVFC.

Television Particulars
The Illinois State game will be shown live on Comcast Sports Net Chicago as part of the Redbird's local television package. The game can be found on Directv on Channel 665 as well as on Dish Network on Channel 429. Additionally, the game will be offered live on Sycamore Vision, which is a pay-per-view web stream service provided by GoSycamores.com.

Fans Can Donate To Hurricane Sandy Relief And Receive Free Admission To Illinois State Game
In response to Hurricane Sandy, the Indiana State Athletics Department will be hosting several opportunities for fans to both donate to the relief efforts and also enjoy this battle of nationally-ranked football teams at Memorial Stadium for free. Kickoff against the Redbirds is set for 2:05 p.m. (ET) on Saturday. The Sycamores are ranked No. 14/17 nationally while the Redbirds check in at No. 15/17. To help out the local community as well as those in the affected by Hurricane Sandy, Terre Haute Catholic Charities will be collecting items at the game on Saturday. Fans who donate at least five pounds of items will receive a free ticket to the Sycamores vs. Indiana State game. Donation and ticket pickup locations will be located at each entrance to Memorial Stadium on gameday. Likewise, the American Red Cross will be accepting monetary donations towards Hurricane Sandy relief at Memorial Stadium as well. A monetary donation will also get each fan a free ticket to the game as well. Donations to either Catholic Charities or the American Red Cross are also being accepted this week at the Hulman Center Ticket Office and the complimentary tickets can be picked up when the donations are made during the week. Additionally, local businesses, other groups or interested fans are encouraged to stop by the Hulman Center Ticket Office this week to purchase tickets for the Illinois State game at the cost of just $5 per ticket. The minimum purchase to receive this special discounted group rate is 10.

Calvin Burnett Named MVFC "Special Forces" Player Of The Week
Indiana State junior defensive back Calvin Burnett may have four interceptions to his credit, but he saw his first action of the season as a punt returner against South Dakota and parlayed that into being named the MVFC "Special Forces" Player Of The Week. He averaged nearly 30 yards per return. Burnett's first punt return came in the first quarter as he returned a 47-yard punt for 31 yards to set the Sycamores up at their own 40-yard line. Burnett's second punt return was for 28 yards which put the Sycamores at their own 42-yard line. It took just seven plays for the Sycamores to score and take a 38-7 advantage in the third quarter. His two returns amassed 59 yards in the contest. As a starter at cornerback, Burnett posted five total tackles with a pass breakup.

Sycamores' No. 14 National Ranking Is Highest Under Miles And As A MVFC Member
Following the 45-14 victory for Indiana State over South Dakota on October 27, the Sycamores are ranked in each of the national polls heading into this week's matchup against Illinois State, who likewise is ranked in each poll. The Sycamores are No. 14 in The Sports Network Top 25 while they are No. 17 in the FCS Coaches Poll. The No. 14 national ranking for the Sycamores is tied for the highest in program history since joining the MVFC. ISU was No. 14 in both 1989 & 1995. The Sycamores were ranked as high as No. 1 in 1984 -- the last time the program advanced to the FCS Playoffs. The No. 14 ranking is the highest for the Sycamores in the Trent Miles era.

Sycamores Looking For First Ever Victory In A Game That Features Two Ranked Programs
Indiana State and Illinois State are each nationally-ranked heading into this weekend's regular season home finale at Memorial Stadium. The Sycamores are 1-0 this season against ranked opponents, but are 11-73 all-time against the Top 25, including a mark of 8-54 against ranked MVFC members. Additionally, the Sycamores are 0-6 all-time as a nationally-ranked program playing another team in the Top 25. ISU is 0-3 inside Memorial Stadium when both the Sycamores and the opposition are nationally-ranked.

Johnny Towalid Now Owns School Record For Most Interceptions Returns For A TD In A Season & Career
Indiana State senior cornerback Johnny Towalid recorded his third interception return for a touchdown this season with a 25-yarder in the first quarter of the 45-14 victory over South Dakota. His trio of pick 6's is a new school record, besting the old standard set in 1971 by John Karazsia. Additionally, it was the fourth for Towalid in his career, which is also a new school record which beats Karazsia's three from 1970-72. Towalid had a 78-yard return for a TD at South Dakota State last season and posted two in one game at North Dakota State on October 13.

Sycamore Winning Streak Hits Five In A Row
The Sycamores have won five consecutive games - a stretch that includes three road league wins - and are 5-1 for the first time ever in Missouri Valley Football Conference play and have won five games in league action for the first time ever. The Sycamores' 31-point victory over South Dakota is the second largest victory over a league opponent behind a 35-point win against Illinois State in 2010. ISU is 7-2 for the first time since 1995 and are just two victories shy of tying the school record for most victories in a season (9), set in 1984. The Sycamores are looking for their sixth consecutive victory for the first time since 1984 against Illinois State.

Connor Underwood Strong As A Redshirt Freshman With A Redbird Connection
Indiana State redshirt freshman Connor Underwood tallied four total tackles, including a quarterback sack and 1.5 tackles for loss as the Sycamores earned a 45-14 victory over South Dakota. Underwood continues to lead the team in sacks as he now has six for the season. His 1.5 tackles for loss were part of an effort by the Sycamore defense which netted 11 on the day as the ISU made a ton of plays in the Coyote backfield. Connor is the younger brother of Redbird defensive standout Colton Underwood.

Indiana State Has Already Secured Third Consecutive Winning Season
The Indiana State Sycamores improved to a 7-2 overall record as well as a 5-1 burst of the gate in Missouri Valley Football Conference play with its 45-14 victory over South Dakota. The Sycamores have already secured their third consecutive winning campaign which would is the first time ISU has enjoyed that many winning seasons in a row since the 1967-69 years under Jerry Huntsman when ISU posted six consecutive winning seasons.

Finishing The Games Strong
The Indiana State Sycamores have put together a total of 36 offensive scoring drives through nine games this season. Of those, 22 have come after an opponent's final score -- good enough for 61.0 percent of all scoring drives. The Sycamores have outscored their opponents by a 106-63 margin in the second half this season, including a 54-22 advantage in the fourth quarter. The Sycamores improved to a perfect 7-0 this season when leading heading into the fourth quarter as they made a 38-7 lead standup with the victory over South Dakota.

Johnny Towalid Has Historic Outing Against North Dakota State
Towalid was named the Co-National Defensive Player Of The Week By The Sports Network and was The National Defensive Performer Of The Week & National Defensive Back Of The Week as announced the College Football Performance Awards. He also was named a College Sporting News National All-Star. Towalid set an Indiana State school record with two interception returns for a touchdown as the Sycamores took down No. 1 North Dakota State on the road in ISU's first-ever victory over a nationally top-ranked program. His pair of pick 6's tied the league and FCS record for a single-game. He is one of just 24 players all-time to record two interception returns for a touchdown in one game in the history of FCS football. He scored both of the Sycamores' touchdowns at NDSU, including one in the second quarter of 27 yards to give ISU a 10-3 lead and then added another in the third quarter of 31 yards to stake the Sycamores to a 17-6 advantage. His first interception broke a string of 140 passes off the arm of Bison quarterback Brock Jensen without a pick. He is just the second-ever MVFC player to record two interception returns for a touchdown in the same game.

Shakir Bell Becomes Quickest To 1,000 Rushing Yards At Indiana State (Again!)
Indiana State junior Shakir Bell went over the 1,000 rushing yard mark for the season in just the seventh game as he put up 96 yards on the ground as the Sycamores downed No. 1 North Dakota State in front of a near capacity crowd at the Fargodome 17-14. Bell rushed 26 times in the game for 96 yards as he broke his own school record set last year for being the fastest Sycamore to reach 1,000 yards rushing in a season. Bell now has 3,625 yards for his career which is third on ISU's all-time list. Bell is averaging 144.5 rushing yards per game which is second in the MVFC and fifth nationally. Bell has reached 100 yards rushing in 17 of his 30 career games. Vincent Allen (4,335 yards from 1973-77) and David Wright (4,181 yards from 1992-95) are the only two players to sit ahead of Bell on the ISU all-time career rushing list.

Special Forces Unit Making Their Mark Nationally
The Sycamores are averaging 39.06 yards per net punt, which is tops in the league and sixth nationally. Special Forces also ranks sixth nationally and second in the league in kickoff return average, boasting a 25.55 tally per opportunity. Hileman is averaging a league-best 43.88 yards per punt, a total which is seventh best nationally.

Why The Win Over North Dakota State Is High On The Indiana State List Of Program Achievements
Indiana State's 17-14 road victory over No. 1 North Dakota State was monumental in several ways for the Sycamores. It was the first-ever victory by an Indiana State football team over a program that was ranked first in the nation at the time of the contest in eight tries. It also marked the first victory for the Sycamores against a team ranked in the Top 5 nationally at the time of the game in 20 attempts. It was also the third consecutive road victory in MVFC play which is the longest such streak of success away from Memorial Stadium in conference action ever by the Sycamore program. The victory also broke a string of 10 consecutive wins for the Bison, who captured the FCS National Championship in 2011.

Defense Ranks High Nationally In Points Allowed Per Game
The Sycamore defense has been outstanding so far this season, allowing just 113 points over the first nine games, including the program's first shutout since 1996 with the 44-0 victory over Quincy on September 8. ISU has allowed just eight offensive touchdowns to the opposition in the last 34 quarters of action. ISU's defense is allowing an average of 12.56 points per game which ranks second in the MVFC and nationally. Indiana State leads the nation in pass efficiency defense with a 90.38 rating. The Sycamores are allowing 283.9 yards per game which is second in the league and fifth-best in FCS. ISU is also giving up just 157.11 passing yards per game which is second in the league and seventh-best nationally.

Bell Sets MVFC & ISU Rushing Records In Victory Over Drake
Indiana State junior running back Shakir Bell etched his name in both the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Indiana State record books yet again on September 15 when he gained 349 yards on the ground to set both the school and conference single-game rushing record against Drake. For his efforts, Bell was named both the MVFC Offensive Player Of The Week and The Sports Network National Offensive Player Of The Week. His 349-yard rushing effort is the highest single-game total so far this season for both FBS and FCS and is the eighth-highest total ever in FCS history. Evan Borchers Was Named The MVFC Offensive Lineman Of The Week following Bell's performance against Drake.

Shakir Bell Named To Walter Payton Award Watch List
Indiana State junior running back Shakir Bell is among 20 student-athletes selected by The Sports Network for the publication's 2012 Walter Payton Award Watch List. The Walter Payton Award is presented following the season to the nation's most outstanding player at the Football Championship Subdivision level. Bell tied for second for the prestigious award following his standout sophomore season, a year that saw the Indianapolis, Ind., native led the nation with 1,670 rushing yards. The Warren Central High School product was named to the FCS Preseason All-America First Team by The Sports Network earlier this week. Bell averaged 151.8 yards per game on the ground and broke the school record for single-game rushing yards last season when he racked up 256 yards and four touchdowns in Indiana State's 37-35 win over Youngstown State on Sept. 24, 2011. The 2011 Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year tallied 14 touchdowns in 2011, breaking the school record for single-season rushing yards (1,670) and posted the eighth-best total in MVFC history.

Ben Obaseki Named To Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
Indiana State senior defensive lineman Ben Obaseki is one of 20 players nationally to be named to the 2012 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List as announced by The Sports Network. The Buck Buchanan Award is awarded annually at the FCS Awards Banquet during NCAA FCS Championship weekend to the nation's top FCS defensive player. Earlier this month, Shakir Bell was named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List, which goes to the top offensive player in FCS. Bell finished tied for second in last season's voting as a sophomore. Last season, Obaseki was named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press and was a First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference performer. He finished third in the league's Defensive Player of the Year voting after leading the Sycamores with 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, which tied for second and third in the MVFC, respectively, in those categories. He posted 22 total tackles against Western Illinois on October 15 which is the most by a defensive lineman in the history of the MVFC. Obaseki also plays fullback in goal line situations as he scored five touchdowns last season on five rushing attempts. Obaseki was also a First Team All-MVFC performer as sophomore in 2010.

Bringing Back Memories Of "The Fridge"
The Sycamores' senior defensive end Ben Obaseki found the end zone for the seventh time of his career on the offensive side of the football when he plunged in from one yard out in the 2012 home opener against Quincy. Obaseki has seven career rushes to his credit - all leading to Sycamore touchdowns.

Sycamores Against The Missouri Valley Football Conference
Indiana State is in its 27th season as a member of the MVFC. ISU's first season as a league member came in 1986 when it went 1-5 through a six-game league schedule. The Sycamores are 51-116 in MVFC contests and have won 12 of their last 20 league matchups, marking the first time since the 2002 season that an ISU team has won multiple league contests over a similar stretch.

FN Lutz Nominated For 2012 All-State AFCA Good Works Team
Indiana State senior offensive lineman FN Lutz is one of 117 nominees nationwide for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team as announced today by the national coaches' organization. In 2011, Lutz was named both First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference as well as First Team MVFC All-Academic following a season that saw him start all 11 games at center. He spearheaded an Indiana State rushing attack that averaging 181.9 yards per game as well as a league-leading 5.3 yards per carry. He was an Honorable Mention All-MVFC pick in 2010 as a sophomore. Lutz is joined by Colton Underwood of Illinois State, Billy Turner of North Dakota State, Bo Helm of South Dakota State and Kyle Bernard of Northern Iowa as representatives of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. As one of college football's most prestigious off-the-field honors, the award recognizes a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities. Since 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has shown a spotlight on the countless "good works" and remarkable stories of service by student-athletes at all levels of college football competition. Award recipients represent the sport's finest in terms of character and leadership in the community.

In Overtime
The Sycamores have played in 12 overtime contests since the rule was established for regular season games in the NCAA FCS Subdivision in 1996. The Sycamores are 7-5 in games that have used an extra period. ISU's last overtime contest came in the form of a 38-35 victory against Missouri State in the sixth game of the 2010 season.

Up Next
Indiana State will enjoy a bye week on November 10, but returns to action on the road in the regular season finale at Youngstown State on November 17. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. (ET) and will be televised on ESPN 3.