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Missouri Valley Football Conference shifts season to spring, but teams including Illinois State may play nonconference games

Illinois State football coach Brock Spack wears a face covering at practice Thursday at Hancock Stadium.

Illinois State quarterback Bryce Jefferson prepares to throw a pass in practice Friday at Hancock Stadium.

NORMAL — Illinois State's 2020 Missouri Valley Football Conference season is moving to 2021.

Spurred by other FCS conferences calling it quits on a fall season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MVFC joined the growing group Friday and declared plans for a spring football season.

According to a statement released Friday evening, the Valley will hold an eight-game conference schedule in the spring "with the expectation to culminate the season with the FCS Playoffs.