Illinois State football coach Brock Spack will lead the Redbirds into Northern Iowa this weekend. (Photo By Paul Morello/WJBC)

By Paul Morello

NORMAL - It's a three game season now for the Illinois State University football team.

After a disappointing 24-17 defeat to Missouri State last Saturday, the No. 17 Redbirds are looking to go undefeated to close the regular season.

"We've got a three-game season right now," coach Brock Spack said Tuesday. "They're all laying there for you. You go 9-2, you win the league or you at least tie for it. It's all out there and we can still play in the postseason. We're in good shape."

The three-game season starts Saturday, when ISU travels to Northern Iowa.

"We've just got to go out there and put everything in the past," said wide receiver Donovan Harden.

The Panthers are having a rare down year. UNI comes into the matchup 2-5 overall, sporting only one win in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, which they got against South Dakota State last weekend.

"They've had a tough schedule," Spack said. "But I'm sure they're not making any excuses."

The Panthers fell to Wisconsin to open the season and lost at Iowa in mid-September.

The Redbirds have not had much success against the Panthers in the UNI Dome, winning just two of their 13 games played there.

"It's a shame two losses have to wake us up, but that's where we're at," Spack said.

Saturday's game is scheduled to kick off at 4:07 p.m., with Redbird Preview starting at 3 p.m. on WJBC AM 1230 and FM 93.7.

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.