The Illinois State Redbirds and North Alabama Lions have officially adjusted the date of their 2025 football matchup, moving the game up by one week. Originally scheduled for September 27, Illinois State will now host North Alabama on September 20.
This change shifts Illinois State’s open date from September 20 to September 27, altering the structure of their season. As a result, the Redbirds will now play four consecutive non-conference games to start the year before entering an eight-game Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) schedule following their bye week.
North Alabama also made adjustments to accommodate this change, rescheduling its home game against the Northeastern State RiverHawks. That matchup, initially set for September 20, will now take place on September 13. Consequently, the Lions’ open date moves to September 27, mirroring Illinois State’s new schedule pattern.
Both teams will now complete their non-conference slates within the first four weeks of the season before diving into their respective conference schedules—Illinois State in the MVFC and North Alabama in the United Athletic Conference (UAC).
In their previous meeting last season, Illinois State edged out North Alabama in a closely contested battle, securing a 24-17 victory at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Ala.
