ESPN Unlimited's Kelsie Kasper and Ryan Cavanaugh commentate the Illinois State vs Southern Illinois match

The NCAA Division I FCS match between Illinois State and Southern Illinois takes place on Saturday, 17 October 2026, going live at 21:00 UK time. The game will be commentated by Kelsie Kasper, who is bringing the play-by-play commentary through ESPN Unlimited (ESPNU), with Ryan Cavanaugh providing the sideline.

For those tuning in, the match is being covered through the ESPN family of channels. Kelsie Kasper serves as the play-by-play broadcaster, giving viewers a running account of the action as it unfolds. On the sideline, Ryan Cavanaugh offers his perspective on how the teams are performing. Fans can follow along through the channel's online platform, which offers a full view of the match as it develops.

About the commentators

Kelsie Kasper is a sports broadcaster who has built a reputation across several college football platforms. She works as both a sideline reporter and a play-by-play broadcaster, covering matches for ESPN and other networks. Her career has seen her contribute to multiple channels, and she is recognised for bringing a strong, informed presence to each game she commentates.

Ryan Cavanaugh brings a different kind of expertise to the field. Known as an analyst across several networks, he has experience covering matches through play-by-play commentary. His background as a commentator has allowed him to develop strong insights into team performance, making him a valuable part of the commentary team for this match.

With both broadcasters bringing their experience to the Illinois State vs Southern Illinois game, this 17 October match promises to be an informative one for anyone following the Division I FCS season.

Article generated: 15 October 2026, 21:01 GMT