The Illinois State Redbirds face the UC Davis Aggies in this college football FCS quarterfinals matchup on Saturday at UC Davis Health Stadium.
How to Watch Illinois State vs UC Davis
- When: Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: ESPN (watch now)
The No. 8 UC Davis Aggies (9-2) are hosting Illinois State (10-4) in the FCS quarterfinals, bringing an explosive and well-balanced attack to Davis, Calif. UC Davis advanced with a convincing 47-26 win over Rhode Island in the second round, highlighted by Caden Pinnick’s five-touchdown performance and substantial contributions from runners Jordan Fisher and receiver Samuel Gbatu Jr., both eclipsing 100 yards in that game. The Aggies have shown they can push the pace and handle playoff pressure, ranking among the deeper and more dynamic offenses remaining in this year’s bracket and enjoying home-field advantage at UC Davis Health Stadium.
Illinois State arrives after one of the season’s most dramatic wins, upsetting No. 1 North Dakota State 29-28 on the road in the second round, showcasing resilience and clutch play down the stretch. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse has been a reliable dual-threat, pacing the Redbirds’ offense alongside key playmakers like Victor Dawson and Daniel Sobkowicz, who have consistently moved the chains all season. With momentum from their historic victory and a balanced attack that can hurt teams through the air and on the ground, Illinois State will look to slow down UC Davis’s tempo and force turnovers in what could be a tightly contested playoff matchup.
This is a great college football matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
Live stream Illinois State vs UC Davis on ESPN: Start your subscription now!
You can catch college football games all season long with ESPN’s streaming service, as well as a wide array of other sporting events and shows.
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
