Linebacker Boomer Grigsby and Illinois State’s opportunistic defense will try to ruin homecoming for unbeaten Southern Illinois, which is averaging 47.2 points per game. Grigsby made 21 tackles last week when Northern Iowa, ranked No. 15 in Division I-AA, scored 16 fourth-quarter points to beat the Redbirds 16-7. William Rolle and Tyler Larick each picked off one of Tom Petrie’s passes as ISU ran its interceptions total to five, one more than last year. … Redbird Dwayne Smith leads the Gateway Conference with averages of 5.5 receptions and 70 yards per game. . . . The Redbirds lead the league with 122 first downs. They also rank first in kickoff return coverage, limiting opponents to 15.3 yards per return. . . . SIU leads the 65-year-old series 32-30-3.
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