The sixth-ranked Illinois State (3-1, 0-0 MVFC) will square off against the top-ranked North Dakota State (4-0, 1-0 MVFC) in a showdown featuring two of the FCS heavyweights.
The Bison have roared out of the gates at 4-0, steamrolling everyone in sight. October, however, serves up a stiffer test—or at least it looks that way on paper.
Illinois State has quietly pieced together a strong start, bouncing back from an opening loss at Oklahoma with three straight wins. Not only is this their first crack at conference play, but they’ll get the luxury of rolling out the welcome mat at home.
Snapping the skid against North Dakota State won't come easy, though. The Redbirds haven’t beaten the green and gold since 2010, and even with a few marquee names gone from Fargo, the Bison still appear every bit the mountain to climb in the MVFC.
Here's what you need to know to watch Illinois State vs. North Dakota State on Saturday, including start time and TV channel.
What channel is Illinois State vs. North Dakota State on today?
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: ESPN+
Illinois State vs. North Dakota State will not air on a national TV channel. The game will be available to stream exclusively on ESPN+.
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Illinois State vs. North Dakota State start time
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 4
- Start Time: 7 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. MT
Illinois State vs. North Dakota State kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET or 5:00 p.m. MT.
The game will be played at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
Illinois State Redbirds 2025 football schedule
Here are the next five games for Illinois State:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 4 | vs. North Dakota State | 7:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 11 | at Murray State | 7:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 18 | vs. Youngstown State | 3:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 25 | at South Dakota | 2:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Northern Iowa | 3:00 p.m. |
North Dakota State Bison 2025 football schedule
Here are the next five games for North Dakota State:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 4 | at Illinois State | 7:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 11 | vs. Southern Illinois | 3:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 18 | at Indiana State | 1:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 25 | at South Dakota State | TBD |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Youngstown State | 3:30 p.m. |