Illinois State finished the season with so-so records of 6-6 overall and 3-4 in the Gateway Conference. But the Redbirds had plenty of sparkling individual performers. Sha-Ron Edwards finished strong and led Gateway rushers with an average of 117.4 yards a game. He also led the league at 133.8 all-purpose yards. Mike Souza was second in passing, averaging 209.3 yards. Dwayne Smith led Gateway receivers with averages of 5.25 catches and 76.3 yards per game. Ryan Hoffman’s 43.6-yard punting average was tops in the league. Steve Carroll’s kicking accuracy was right up there: 35-for-35 on extra points and 15-for-19 on field goals. But the Redbirds, second to league co-champion Southern Illinois in team offense, finished next to last in defense, yielding 352.8 yards per game and 5.0 yards per play.
