Illinois State

FCS

Missouri Valley · Normal, Bloomington–Normal, Illinois

53-114-5

All-time

0.308

Win %

National titles

Conf titles

Major bowls

Playoff apps

Weeks at #1

Heismans

Greatest games

Illinois State's top games of all time by Game Score.

Sort by

Illinois State 26-28 Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois

Conf Game

1983 · Nov 5, 1983

0.47

Game Score

Illinois State 17-31 Western Michigan

Illinois State

1980 · Sep 13, 1980

0.35

Game Score

Illinois State 14-33 Kent State

Dix Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

1977 · Sep 10, 1977

0.30

Game Score

Illinois State 14-41 Western Michigan

Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan

1984 · Sep 15, 1984

0.22

Game Score

Illinois State 10-13 Drake

Illinois State

Conf Game

1981 · Nov 14, 1981

0.20

Game Score

Illinois State 0-16 Central Michigan

Perry Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

1980 · Sep 20, 1980

0.19

Game Score

Illinois State 10-7 Ball State

Illinois State

1976 · Oct 9, 1976

0.18

Game Score

Illinois State 29-29 West Texas A&M

Illinois State

1985 · Oct 19, 1985

0.17

Game Score

Illinois State 13-14 Western Michigan

Illinois State

1983 · Sep 17, 1983

0.17

Game Score

Illinois State 7-19 Indiana State

Indiana State

Conf Game

1984 · Sep 22, 1984

0.17

Game Score

#			Match	Designation
1	Nov 5, 1983	1983	Illinois State 26-28 Southern Illinois Southern Illinois Conf Game	Conf Game	game score 0.47
2	Sep 13, 1980	1980	Illinois State 17-31 Western Michigan Illinois State		game score 0.35
3	Sep 10, 1977	1977	Illinois State 14-33 Kent State Dix Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio		game score 0.30
4	Sep 15, 1984	1984	Illinois State 14-41 Western Michigan Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan		game score 0.22
5	Nov 14, 1981	1981	Illinois State 10-13 Drake Illinois State Conf Game	Conf Game	game score 0.20
6	Sep 20, 1980	1980	Illinois State 0-16 Central Michigan Perry Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Michigan		game score 0.19
7	Oct 9, 1976	1976	Illinois State 10-7 Ball State Illinois State		game score 0.18
8	Oct 19, 1985	1985	Illinois State 29-29 West Texas A&M Illinois State		game score 0.17
9	Sep 17, 1983	1983	Illinois State 13-14 Western Michigan Illinois State		game score 0.17
10	Sep 22, 1984	1984	Illinois State 7-19 Indiana State Indiana State Conf Game	Conf Game	game score 0.17

Season by season

Covers NCAA major, I-AA/FCS and their NCAA precursors (College Division 1962-72, Division II 1973-77) only. NAIA, Division III and club seasons are not included.

Lower-level seasons: 50 (280-260-6). The record, titles and bowls above count major seasons only.

2026I-AA / FCSIn progress-

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

2025I-AA / FCS12-5

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

5-3

Conf champ

—

Notes

FCS title game

2024I-AA / FCS10-4

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

6-2

Conf champ

—

Notes

FCS playoff

2023I-AA / FCS6-5

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

4-4

Conf champ

—

2022I-AA / FCS6-5

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

4-4

Conf champ

—

2021I-AA / FCS4-7

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

2-6

Conf champ

—

2020I-AA / FCS1-3

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

1-3

Conf champ

—

2019I-AA / FCS10-5

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

5-3

Conf champ

—

Notes

FCS quarterfinal

2018I-AA / FCS6-5

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

3-5

Conf champ

—

2017I-AA / FCS6-5

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

4-4

Conf champ

—

2016I-AA / FCS6-6

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

4-4

Conf champ

—

Notes

FCS playoff

2015I-AA / FCS10-2

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

7-1

Conf champ

★

Notes

FCS quarterfinal

2014I-AA / FCS13-2

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

7-1

Conf champ

★

Notes

FCS title game

2013I-AA / FCS5-6

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

4-4

Conf champ

—

2012I-AA / FCS9-4

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

5-3

Conf champ

—

Notes

FCS quarterfinal

2011I-AA / FCS7-4

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

5-3

Conf champ

—

2010I-AA / FCS6-5

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

4-4

Conf champ

—

2009I-AA / FCS6-5

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

5-3

Conf champ

—

2008I-AA / FCS3-8

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

2-6

Conf champ

—

2007I-AA / FCS4-7

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

2-4

Conf champ

—

2006I-AA / FCS9-4

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

5-3

Conf champ

—

Notes

FCS quarterfinal

2005I-AA / FCS7-4

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

4-3

Conf champ

—

2004I-AA / FCS4-7

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

2-5

Conf champ

—

2003I-AA / FCS6-6

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

3-4

Conf champ

—

2002I-AA / FCS6-5

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

4-3

Conf champ

—

2001I-AA / FCS2-9

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

2-5

Conf champ

—

2000I-AA / FCS7-4

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

4-2

Conf champ

—

1999I-AA / FCS11-3

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

6-0

Conf champ

★

Notes

FCS semifinal

1998I-AA / FCS8-4

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

4-2

Conf champ

—

Notes

FCS playoff

1997I-AA / FCS2-9

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

0-6

Conf champ

—

1996I-AA / FCS3-8

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

0-5

Conf champ

—

1995I-AA / FCS5-6

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

3-3

Conf champ

—

1994I-AA / FCS5-5-1

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

3-3

Conf champ

—

1993I-AA / FCS6-4-1

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

2-3

Conf champ

—

1992I-AA / FCS5-6

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

2-4

Conf champ

—

1991I-AA / FCS5-6

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

1-5

Conf champ

—

1990I-AA / FCS5-6

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

3-3

Conf champ

—

1989I-AA / FCS5-6

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

4-2

Conf champ

—

1988I-AA / FCS1-10

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

0-6

Conf champ

—

1987I-AA / FCS3-7

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

0-6

Conf champ

—

1986I-AA / FCS5-5

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

3-3

Conf champ

—

1985I-AA / FCS6-3-2

Illinois State · Gateway

Conf record

3-1-1

Conf champ

—

1984Major5-6

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

3-2

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1983Major6-4-1

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

2-2-1

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1982Major2-9

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

0-5

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1981Major3-7

Illinois State · Missouri Valley

Conf record

0-5

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1980Major4-7

Illinois State · Independent

Conf record

—

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1979Major3-8

Illinois State · Independent

Conf record

—

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1978Major2-9

Illinois State · Independent

Conf record

—

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1977Major3-7-1

Illinois State · Independent

Conf record

—

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1976Major5-6

Illinois State · Independent

Conf record

—

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1975Major2-7-1

Illinois State · Independent

Conf record

—

AP final

—

Coach final

—

AP high

—

Champ game

—

Conf champ

—

1969College Division5-6

Illinois State · Interstate IAC

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

1968College Division6-4

Illinois State · Interstate IAC

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

1967College Division8-2

Illinois State · Interstate IAC

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

1966College Division2-5-2

Illinois State · Interstate IAC

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

1965College Division0-9

Illinois State · Interstate IAC

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

1964College Division5-4

Illinois State · Interstate IAC

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

1963College Division3-6

Illinois State · Interstate IAC

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

1962College Division5-4

Illinois State · Interstate IAC

Conf record

—

Conf champ

—

Year	Level	School	Record	Conference	Conf	Conf Champ	Bowl / notes
2026In progress	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	-	Missouri Valley
2025	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	12-5	Missouri Valley	5-3		FCS title game
2024	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	10-4	Missouri Valley	6-2		FCS playoff
2023	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-5	Missouri Valley	4-4
2022	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-5	Missouri Valley	4-4
2021	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	4-7	Missouri Valley	2-6
2020	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	1-3	Missouri Valley	1-3
2019	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	10-5	Missouri Valley	5-3		FCS quarterfinal
2018	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-5	Missouri Valley	3-5
2017	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-5	Missouri Valley	4-4
2016	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-6	Missouri Valley	4-4		FCS playoff
2015	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	10-2	Missouri Valley	7-1	★	FCS quarterfinal
2014	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	13-2	Missouri Valley	7-1	★	FCS title game
2013	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	5-6	Missouri Valley	4-4
2012	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	9-4	Missouri Valley	5-3		FCS quarterfinal
2011	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	7-4	Missouri Valley	5-3
2010	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-5	Missouri Valley	4-4
2009	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-5	Missouri Valley	5-3
2008	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	3-8	Missouri Valley	2-6
2007	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	4-7	Gateway	2-4
2006	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	9-4	Gateway	5-3		FCS quarterfinal
2005	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	7-4	Gateway	4-3
2004	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	4-7	Gateway	2-5
2003	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-6	Gateway	3-4
2002	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-5	Gateway	4-3
2001	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	2-9	Gateway	2-5
2000	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	7-4	Gateway	4-2
1999	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	11-3	Gateway	6-0	★	FCS semifinal
1998	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	8-4	Gateway	4-2		FCS playoff
1997	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	2-9	Gateway	0-6
1996	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	3-8	Gateway	0-5
1995	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	5-6	Gateway	3-3
1994	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	5-5-1	Gateway	3-3
1993	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-4-1	Gateway	2-3
1992	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	5-6	Gateway	2-4
1991	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	5-6	Gateway	1-5
1990	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	5-6	Gateway	3-3
1989	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	5-6	Gateway	4-2
1988	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	1-10	Gateway	0-6
1987	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	3-7	Gateway	0-6
1986	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	5-5	Gateway	3-3
1985	I-AA / FCS	Illinois State	6-3-2	Gateway	3-1-1
1984	Major	Illinois State	5-6	Missouri Valley	3-2
1983	Major	Illinois State	6-4-1	Missouri Valley	2-2-1
1982	Major	Illinois State	2-9	Missouri Valley	0-5
1981	Major	Illinois State	3-7	Missouri Valley	0-5
1980	Major	Illinois State	4-7	Independent
1979	Major	Illinois State	3-8	Independent
1978	Major	Illinois State	2-9	Independent
1977	Major	Illinois State	3-7-1	Independent
1976	Major	Illinois State	5-6	Independent
1975	Major	Illinois State	2-7-1	Independent
1969	College Division	Illinois State	5-6	Interstate IAC
1968	College Division	Illinois State	6-4	Interstate IAC
1967	College Division	Illinois State	8-2	Interstate IAC
1966	College Division	Illinois State	2-5-2	Interstate IAC
1965	College Division	Illinois State	0-9	Interstate IAC
1964	College Division	Illinois State	5-4	Interstate IAC
1963	College Division	Illinois State	3-6	Interstate IAC
1962	College Division	Illinois State	5-4	Interstate IAC