Ranking the best players in the college football transfer portal

John Mateer, Darian Mensah, Eric Singleton Jr. and Fernando Mendoza are among the best players who have entered the transfer portal. Here are our rankings.

Hastings, Larison account for 6 TDs, UC Davis rolls past Illinois State 42-10 in FCS second round

— Miles Hastings and Lan Larison each accounted for three touchdowns and No. 5 seed UC Davis beat 12th-seeded Illinois State 42-10 on Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Ian Simpson puts game away for UC Davis with 18-yard TD

UC Davis goes up 35-10 in the fourth quarter as Ian Simpson grabs the screen pass for the touchdown.

Rittenhouse throws for 3TDs and Illinois State airs it out in win over Indiana State

— Tommy Rittenhouse threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns and Illinois State beat Indiana State 31-19 on Saturday for its fourth straight win.

Wenkers Wright runs for 2 second-half touchdowns as Illinois State runs through Northern Iowa 31-9

— Wenkers Wright ran for 109 yards and two second-half touchdowns to help power Illinois State to a 31-9 Missouri Valley Conference win over Northern Iowa on Saturday.

Tommy Rittenhouse leads Illinois State to 23-16 victory over Youngstown State

— Tommy Rittenhouse threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score to lead Illinois State to a 23-16 victory over Youngstown State on Saturday.

Tommy Rittenhouse propels Illinois State to 40-32 victory over Murray State

— Tommy Rittenhouse had a touchdown pass and two long scoring runs to lead Illinois State to a 40-32 victory over Murray State on Saturday.

Clark throws for 3 TDs as Missouri State rolls to a 41-7 win over Illinois State

— Jacob Clark threw three touchdown passes, including a 62-yard connection with DVontae Key on Missouri State's opening drive as the Bears rolled to a 41-7 Missouri Valley Conference win over Illinois State on Saturday afternoon.

Rittenhouse, Sobkowicz lead Illinois State past Southern Illinois 45-10

— Tommy Rittenhouse ran for a touchdown and threw for another and Daniel Sobkowicz caught one touchdown pass and threw another as Illinois State pulled away to beat in-state rival Southern Illinois 45-10 in a Missouri Valley Conference contest...

Cam Miller, CharMar Brown lead way for North Dakota State in 42-10 rout of Illinois State

— Cam Miller threw three touchdown passes, CharMar Brown added 100 yards rushing and North Dakota State defeated Illinois State 42-10 on Saturday for its 13th straight victory in the series.

Rittenhouse throws for 3 TDs to lead Illinois State to 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois.

— Tommy Rittenhouse threw three touchdown passes and Wenkers Wright ran for 150 yards as Illinois State defeated rival Eastern Illinois 31-7 on Saturday.

McCoy's 58-yard return of a blocked FG sparks Illinois State past Western Illinois 51-34

— Tommy Rittenhouse threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third and LaVoise-Deontae McCoy returned a blocked field-goal attempt 58 yards for a touchdown as Illinois State posted a 51-34 victory over Western Illinois on Saturday.

Rittenhouse accounts for 3 touchdowns and Illinois State holds off North Alabama 24-17

— Tommy Rittenhouse had a touchdown passing and two more on the ground, Wenkers Wright ran for 153 yards and Illinois State held on to defeat North Alabama 24-17 on Saturday night.

No. 25 Iowa eager to see offensive improvement in opener against FCS foe Illinois State

No. 25 Iowa will unveil what it hopes will be an improved offense under first-year coordinator Tim Lester when it opens the season against Illinois State in Iowa City on Saturday.

College football Week 1 schedule: Clemson-Georgia, USC-LSU

Week 1 of the 2024 college football season has arrived. Check out how to watch the games now.

North Dakota edges Illinois State 22-21 on Gaven Ziebarth's TD in closing seconds

— Gaven Ziebarth rushed for two touchdowns, including a go-ahead 1-yarder with 25 seconds remaining, and North Dakota beat Illinois State 22-21 on Saturday in a battle of teams...

Blakemore runs for 169 yards and 3 TDs to lead Illinois State past Murray State 44-7

— Mason Blakemore ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns to power Illinois State to a 44-7 win over Murray State on Saturday.

Blakemore runs for 2 TDs, Wright scores late and Illinois State beats Missouri State 36-35

— Mason Blakemore ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns, Wenkers Wright drove the ball into the end zone with 38 seconds left and Illinois State beat Missouri State 36-35 on Saturday.

Pesek-Hickson scores 2 TDs and Northern Iowa holds off Illinois State 24-21

— Amauri Pesek-Hickson ran for two touchdowns and Northern Iowa beat Illinois State 24-21 on Saturday.

Lastovka's last-second field goal lifts Youngstown State over Illinois State 41-38

— Mitch Davidson threw a career-high four touchdown passes and Andrew Lastovka kicked a 37-yard field goal as time ran out to give Youngstown State a 41-38 win over Illinois State on Saturday.

Zack Annexstad throws 4 TD passes, leads Illinois State in 44-7 rout over Indiana State

— Zack Annexstad threw four touchdown passes to lead Illinois State in a 44-7 rout over Indiana State on Saturday.

Annexstad, Mueller accumulate TDs in Illinois State's 47-17 win over Lindenwood

— Zack Annexstad threw two touchdowns and Cole Mueller ran for two and Illinois State never trailed in its 47-17 win over Lindenwood on Saturday.

Illinois State uses big plays to race past Dayton 41-0

— Mason Blakemore scored on a 71-yard run, Daniel Sobkowicz hauled in a 47-yard touchdown pass and Illinois State beat Dayton 41-0 in a season opener on Saturday.

Week 9's top college football uniforms: Florida Atlantic debuts 'Nite Owls' set

Several schools pulled out exceptional gear for Week 9 of the college football season -- including FAU, Tennessee and Washington State.

Illinois State Redbirds vs Indiana State Sycamores Preview, Game Time, Matchup Statistics for November 20

The Illinois State Redbirds (4-6, 2-5 MVFC) take on a fellow MVFC opponent when they host the Indiana State Sycamores (4-6, 2-5 MVFC) on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Hancock Stadium.

North Dakota Fightin' Hawks vs Illinois State Redbirds Preview, Game Time, Matchup Statistics for November 13

The North Dakota Fightin' Hawks (4-5) and the Illinois State Redbirds (4-5) play at Alerus Center on Saturday, November 13, 2021.

Illinois State Redbirds vs Northern Iowa Panthers Preview, Game Time, Matchup Statistics for November 6

The Illinois State Redbirds (3-5, 1-4 MVFC) and the Northern Iowa Panthers (5-3, 3-2 MVFC) square off on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Hancock Stadium in a clash of MVFC opponents.

Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Illinois State Redbirds Preview, Game Time, Matchup Statistics for October 30

The Western Illinois Leathernecks (1-7, 1-4 MVFC) will try to halt a four-game losing streak when they host the Illinois State Redbirds (3-4, 1-3 MVFC) on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Hanson Field.

South Dakota Coyotes vs Illinois State Redbirds Preview, Game Time, Matchup Statistics for October 23

The South Dakota Coyotes (5-2, 3-1 MVFC) bring a three-game winning streak into a matchup with the Illinois State Redbirds (2-4, 0-3 MVFC) on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the DakotaDome.

The best college football uniforms in Week 7: Lights out, honoring history and color coordination

Oregon, Kansas and Boise State brought fashion to the gridiron, highlighting some of the best fits in college football for Week 7.

Illinois State Redbirds vs North Dakota State Bison Preview, Game Time, Matchup Statistics for October 16

The North Dakota State Bison (5-0, 2-0 MVFC) visit the Illinois State Redbirds (2-3, 0-2 MVFC) on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Hancock Stadium and will attempt to extend a five-game winning streak.

Illinois State Redbirds vs Missouri State Bears Preview, Game Time, Matchup Statistics for October 2

The Illinois State Redbirds (1-2, 0-1 MVFC) square off against a familiar opponent when they host the Missouri State Bears (2-1, 1-0 MVFC) on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Hancock Stadium in a MVFC clash.

Southern Illinois Salukis vs Illinois State Redbirds Preview, Game Time, Matchup Statistics for September 25

The Southern Illinois Salukis (2-1, 0-0 MVFC) square off against a familiar opponent when they host the Illinois State Redbirds (1-1, 0-0 MVFC) on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Saluki Stadium in a MVFC showdown.

FCS college football Week 6 preview

James Madison returns after back-to-back postponements, while Incarnate Word looks to continue its hot start.

FCS college football Week 5 preview

North Dakota and North Dakota State meet in a crowded and raucous Missouri Valley Football Conference, while Deion Sanders' Jackson State squad looks to move to 4-0.

FCS college football Week 4 preview

It's Week 4 of the FCS spring season and the Missouri Valley Conference takes center stage, while Deion goes for 3-0 and Nicholls and Sam Houston meet in a top-12 tussle.

FCS college football Week 3 preview

North Dakota State looks to bounce back after a baffling blowout loss, Deion Sanders and Jackson State face the first test of the season, and newly anointed No. 1 James Madison has a chance to prove its ranking.

Missouri Valley Conference, eyeing FCS playoffs, opts for spring season

With the FCS playoffs shelved for the fall, the Missouri Valley Conference announced Friday that it will move its football season to the spring.

James Robinson's NFL draft profile

Check out highlights from Illinois State's speedster of a running back James Robinson.

NDSU gets past Illinois State 9-3 to reach FCS semifinals

Griffin Crosa kicked three second-quarter field goals and North Dakota State's defense did the rest as the defending national champion Bison beat Illinois State 9-3 in an FCS quarterfinal on Saturday.

Lance's 55-yard pass sets up a North Dakota State FG

Trey Lance goes deep and connects with Christian Watson for a 55-yard gain, which would set North Dakota State up for a field goal.

Viewers' guide to the FCS playoffs

Missing college football games this week? There are four FCS games beginning on Friday, and we've got all the details on the quarterfinals.

Robinson has 210 yards, 2 TDs in Illinois State's 24-14 win

James Robinson rushed for 210 yards and two touchdowns and Illinois State knocked off eighth-seeded Central Arkansas 24-14 on Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Robinson has 297 yards in Illinois State’s 24-6 playoff win

James Robinson rushed for 297 yards on 41 carries -- both career highs -- and Illinois State beat Southeast Missouri 24-6 on Saturday in a first-round FCS playoff game.

Injured Youngstown State QB takes final snap of his career

Nathan Mays, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury earlier in the year, limps on the field with help from his teammates and takes a knee to end the game.

Youngstown State upsets Illinois State 21-3

Joe Alessi ran for 103 yards and the Youngstown State defense shut down Illinois State for a 21-3 upset over the FCS sixth-ranked Redbirds on Saturday.

Kirk seals game with sack, Illinois St holds off Missouri St

James Robinson rushed for 155 yards to move into second on the Illinois State career list, Luther Kirk sealed it with a sack on fourth-and-goal in the closing seconds and the Redbirds held off Missouri State 17-12 on Saturday.

Illinois State uses turnovers to top South Dakota St 27-18

San Fenlason kicked four field goals, three in the second half, to lead Illinois State to a 27-18 win over South Dakota State on Saturday in a battle of highly-ranked Missouri Valley Conference teams.

McElvain's 3 TD passes lift N. Iowa past Illinois St 27-10

Will McElvain threw three touchdown passes, the Northern Iowa defense came up with three interceptions and the Panthers defeated Illinois State 27-10 on Saturday in a Missouri Valley Conference matchup of Top 10 teams.

Illinois St dominates 2nd half, forces 3 fumbles in 24-7 win

James Robinson and Jeff Proctor rushed for touchdowns as Illinois State turned three fumbles into second-half points, defeating Indiana State 24-7 on Saturday.