Led by eighth-year head coach Brock Spack, the Redbirds compiled an overall record of 6–6 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, tying for fourth place the MVFC.

For the third straight season, Illinois State received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs, where the Redbirds lost in the first round to Central Arkansas.

The team played home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.

The win came on an Illinois State field goal as time expired.

This was ISU's first-ever victory over a Big Ten team.