By WMBD TVNORMAL, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — The offseason was the shortest in Illinois State football history. About six-and-a-half months after playing in the FCS national title game, the Redbirds are back to work for a new season. ISU opened fall camp on Thursday with nine starters back from the team that finished as the national runner-up in January. ISU won four playoff games on the road to earn a trip to Nashville and play for the FCS championship. “I think the standard last year was to get to the national championship game.