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Illinois State shocks Villanova, heads to FCS Championship
21 Dec
Summary
- Illinois State defeated Villanova 30-14 in the FCS semifinal.
- Victor Dawson rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown.
- The Redbirds will face Montana State for the championship.

Illinois State secured a decisive 30-14 victory over Villanova in the FCS semifinal, ending the Wildcats' impressive 11-game winning streak. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse connected with Daniel Sobkowicz for two touchdown passes, while running back Victor Dawson delivered a powerhouse performance with 155 rushing yards and a score.
The Redbirds, now 12-4 on the season, are set to compete for the FCS championship title on January 5th in Nashville, Tennessee. They will face Montana State, who advanced by defeating Montana 48-23 in their semifinal matchup.
This championship appearance marks Illinois State's second shot at the title, having been runners-up in 2014. Villanova's loss concluded their season at 12-3, falling short of their own championship aspirations after a successful run.




