SETTING THE SCENE
Date: Nov. 26, 2016
Location: Conway, Ark.
Kickoff: 2:04 p.m. CT
Stadium: Estes Stadium
Stadium Capacity: 9,000
Series: ILS leads 1-0
Watch: ESPN3
THE GAME
A 4-1 finish to the regular season, including three-consecutive wins to end the slate, brought Illinois State (6-5, 4-4 MVFC) back to the FCS playoffs for the third season in a row. The Redbirds will travel to Conway, Arkansas, in the first round to square off against the Central Arkansas Bears (9-2, 8-1 Southland), a team that has won eight of its last nine games overall and is making its first playoff appearance since 2012.