NORMAL - Is every Saturday at Hancock Stadium Showdown Saturday? High national-profile Division I-AA games are becoming the norm at Illinois State's football home, and the No. 3-ranked Redbirds try to secure another big victory today in a 1:37 p.m. Gateway Conference game against No. 10 Youngstown State.

"This season continues to grow with excitement and anticipation," ISU coach Denver Johnson said. "The players are well aware of the importance and the ramifications of the ballgame and how it all works together to form a really exciting week and hopefully an outstanding football game."

At 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Gateway, ISU takes aim at matching the school-record winning streak of seven set back in 1932 before what is expected to be a large Family Day crowd.

Youngstown State is 6-2 and 3-1 in Gateway play after a loss to Northern Iowa last week.

The Redbirds packed 17,237 into Hancock two weeks ago to witness a 37-10 disposal of then-No. 7 Southern Illinois. Reserved seats are again sold out for today's game, but general admission tickets will be available at the gate.

"It's absolutely awesome," Johnson said. "A full stadium and an excited venue is thrilling to coach in, play in and watch the game in."

Stopping - or at least slowing - the run is an emphasis for both sidelines.

The Penguins' Marcus Mason is second nationally with 1,071 yards rushing. ISU's Pierre Rembert has not been under 100 yards all season and is third with 1,042 yards.

"In the past, to get ready for Youngstown State you had to get physically ready. There was really no mystery in what they were going to do offensively or defensively," said Johnson. "But they are throwing the ball more and differently than in the past. And they are doing different things on defense as well."

Penguins' quarterback Tom Zetts has completed 94 of 160 passes for 1,171 yards. He threw four of his eight interceptions in the second half of the loss to Northern Iowa.

"Tom had a rough game. But he's been playing very well, taking care of the ball and making good decisions," said Youngstown coach Jon Heacock, the younger brother of former ISU coach Jim Heacock. "We need him to bounce back."

The Redbirds counter with Luke Drone at quarterback. Drone leads the Gateway with 1,591 yards through the air while completing 107 of 177.

"Their quarterback is making great decisions. That has allowed them to run it and throw it," Heacock said. "They are getting it done. They've got a lot of weapons."

While both teams have potent running games, the pass also should play a big factor. ISU is next to last in Gateway pass defense (208.7 yards per game), while the Penguins are last (214.6).

The Redbirds have not allowed a point in the second half the past two games and are outscoring opponents, 118-45, after halftime on the season.

Youngtown used two fourth-quarter field goals from Brian Palmer to edge ISU, 20-17, last season in Ohio. Drone was intercepted three times in the final quarter.

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Youngstown State vs. Illinois State

Site: Hancock Stadium, Normal

Kickoff: 1:37 p.m.

Records: Youngstown State 6-2 overall, 3-1 in Gateway Conference; Illinois State 6-1, 3-0 in Gateway

Coaches: ISU's Denver Johnson has a 38-36 record in his seventh season and a 59-48 record in 10 seasons as a head coach. Youngstown State coach Jon Heacock is 38-26 in his sixth season with the Penguins.

Illinois State leaders: Rushing: Pierre Rembert (1,042 yards, 9 touchdowns); Passing: Luke Drone (107-177, 1,591 yards, 13 touchdowns); Receiving: Pierre Jackson (31 catches, 568 yards, 4 touchdowns); Scoring: Pierre Rembert (9 TDs, 54 points); Tackles: Cameron Siskowic (83)

Youngstown State leaders: Rushing: Marcus Mason (1,071 yards, 15 touchdowns); Passing: Tom Zetts (94-160, 1,171 yards, 9 touchdowns); Receiving: T.J. Peterson (21 catches, 362 yards, 4 touchdowns); Scoring: Marcus Mason (15 touchdowns, 90 points); Tackles: Marty Hutchinson (65)

Illinois State injuries: Offensive tackles Barry Hartman (back) and Jonathan Lyon (knee) and safety Nick Passarelli (shoulder) are out for the season. Wide receiver Laurent Robinson is questionable with an ankle injury.

Youngstown State injuries: None of significance reported.

What to watch for

- The No. 2 rusher in Division I-AA (Youngstown State's Marcus Mason) and the No. 3 rusher (ISU's Pierre Rembert) meet.

- The Redbirds have 12 interceptions through seven games after picking off just 10 passes all last season.

- Youngstown State cornerback Jason Perry has scored three touchdowns this season, two coming on interception returns and one coming on a punt return.

Points of interest

- The all-time ISU-Youngstown State series is knotted at 7-7.

- Will call, located at Gate 4, will open at 10 a.m. today to accommodate fans who want to pick up their tickets early.

- The game will be broadcast on a tape delay basis at 6:30 p.m. today on Fox Sports Midwest.

Talking the talk

- "These games have been tough, tight, pretty hard-fought games. I suspect this one will probably be about the same way. He (Mason) makes you be good every time he touches the ball. If you're not, he can break it and take it, make what should have been a fairly modest gain into a long touchdown." - ISU coach Denver Johnson

- "The thing the coaches have stressed the most is not to be surprised by success. Once we are successful in practice and we get into the game plan, we're very confident in our game plan." - ISU tailback Rafael Rice

- "They are playing solid, fast defense and getting some takeaways. They've got good players in the linebacker corps and up front." - Youngstown State coach Jon Heacock

Compiled by Randy Reinhardt