Led by third-year head coach Todd Berry, the Redbirds compiled an overall record of 8–4 with a mark of 4–2 mark in conference play, placing second in the Gateway.
Illinois State received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, losing to Northwestern State in the first round.
16 in The Sports Network's postseason ranking of NCAA Division I-AA teams.
[2] The team played home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
This college football 1990s season article is a stub.