What you need to know as Illinois State football shoots for first win at North Alabama (2024)

NORMAL — Wenkers Wright, who has battled injuries throughout his Illinois State football career, knows better than most what Mason King is going through.

After King was sidelined early in last week’s season-opening loss at Iowa, it’s time for Wright to step to the forefront of the No. 21-ranked Redbirds’ ballcarrying picture for Saturday’s 6 p.m. nonconference game against North Alabama at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.

“It’s really unfortunate what happened to Mason,” Wright said. “It’s the game. It’s the position of playing running back. The most we can do is let Mason get his rest and get his mind off the game while me and the other running backs take over the load from him.”

King, who led ISU with 980 yards on the ground in 2023, suffered a lower leg injury in the first quarter against Iowa. He will definitely miss Saturday’s game. How much longer he will be sidelined has yet to be determined, according to Redbirds coach Brock Spack.

Wright rushed for 625 yards in 2022 after starting tailback Cole Mueller was hit with a season-ending injury in the opener at Wisconsin. Wright totaled 202 yards last season.

He netted 36 yards on nine carries against the Hawkeyes.

“I’m going to be the guy who steps up and takes the brunt of the load,” said Wright. “That’s just fine with me. That’s why I’m here. I’ll rise to any occasion. No moment is too big, no moment is too small. I have to be ready, and I think I’m completely ready for it.”

Spack described Wright as a “sterling guy, great kid, hard worker, tough, runs downhill. He’ll do a good job.”

The ISU coach is heartened by his depth at tailback that includes Western Illinois transfer Seth Glatz, sophomore Josh Robinson and freshman Matt Lawson. Another possibility for carries is fullback Cal Martinie.

“I think we have very good options there,” Spack said. “That’s why we took Seth. He’s played in this league, he gets it. He shows up when the pads are on. And I like the two young guys. I hate to not have Mason, but I think we’ll be fine.”

Abdullah also sidelined

ISU lost another integral player last Saturday when All-American linebacker Amir Abdullah, a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Awards as the top defender in FCS, also suffered a lower leg injury.

Like King, Abdullah is out Saturday and his status for the rest of the season is not yet known.

In line for more playing time in Abdullah’s absence are Patrick Bauer and Reese Edwards.

Mono shelves Kasper

Wide receiver Eddie Kasper missed the Iowa game after being diagnosed with mononucleosis.

Spack expects Kasper, who had 48 receptions for 432 yards last season, to miss three more games and hopefully return for the Sept. 28 home contest against North Dakota State.

Kasper is no longer contagious. He has been attending practices this week but not participating.

Scouting North Alabama

A member of the FCS United Athletic Conference, North Alabama is 0-2 after losses to Southeast Missouri State (37-13) and FBS entry Memphis (40-0).

The North Alabama quarterback is graduate student and Stanford transfer Ari Patu, who has completed 27 of 50 passes for 207 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions.

“He’s long, tall (6-foot-4), runs well,” Spack said. “Memphis is a very good team and he got around their rushers a couple times and got to the perimeter. We’ll have our hands full trying to keep him in the pocket. He’s not afraid to throw it. He shows courage and hangs in there and throws the football pretty well.

The Lions’ top rusher is Jayvian Allen at 100 yards on 13 attempts.

The North Alabama defense is giving up 252 passing yards per game.

The Lions will play at ISU's Hancock Stadium in 2025.

‘Gassed’ at Iowa

ISU trailed 6-0 at Iowa but faded in the second half of a 40-0 shutout.

“We didn’t finish the game. We’ve got to play a full four quarters,” said safety Keondre Jackson, who topped the Redbirds with 11 tackles. “We fell off a little bit the second half. You come in the next week with the goal to play every snap like it’s our last.”

Spack believes ISU turnovers that led to extra Iowa possessions made it even more taxing on the Redbird defense.

“I think we were gassed absolutely. No question about that,” said Spack. “It’s like a boxing match. Those jabs, those straight right hands start wearing a fighter out. Those add up and fatigue sets in and you get knocked out. I think we played really physical. I think we outhit them the first half.”

Accuracy sought

Three ISU quarterbacks combined to complete 14 of 29 passes for 133 yards against Iowa.

Spack believes those numbers should be better.

"I thought we would throw the ball a little better than that," said the ISU coach. "Both (Tommy Rittenhouse and Jake Rubley) were OK but not great. I expect them to get better. Receivers were open. Our guys did a good job running routes."