Junior linebacker Tim Beshels 49-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 3:27 remaining in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as Illinois State shocked fourth-ranked Western Illinois, 25-18, in Macomb on Saturday.
Illinois State (5-4, 3-2) continued to resurrect what appeared to be a lost season after a 1-4 start with its fourth-straight victory. The victory keeps alive hope of a I-AA playoff appearance for the Redbirds who can make some noise in the polls with an upcoming game against Eastern Illinois, ranked No. 21 in the latest Sports Network poll.
Western Illinois (8-2, 4-1) suffered its first loss to a I-AA team this year and its second straight to the Redbirds.
The Redbirds got on the board first when Willie Watts scampered 22 yards for a touchdown against a blitzing Leatherneck defense. The scoring run by Watts capped a nine-play 70 yard drive to give ISU a 7-0 lead barely five minutes into the game.
ISU appeared poised to add to that lead on its next possession, however, Dusty Burk was picked off in the redzone. The silver lining in the interception was that the Leathernecks took over possession on their own five yard line, a harsh reality that WIU quarterback had to deal with when he was sacked by Devon Finn in the end zone on the very next play.
The safety by Finn gave the Birds a nine point cushion which they added to late in the first quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Jake Strader.
With 13:15 remaining in the first half the WIU offense finally awoke and did some damage when Clemons hooked up with Bobby Starks on a 50-yard scoring strike.
The Redbirds responded with another Strader field goal, this time from 36 yards out, to give ISU a 15-7 advantage with 5:39 remaining in the half.
Western Illinois struck back with 26 seconds remaining in half on a three-yard scoring run by Charles Tharp to cap an eight-play 72 yard drive. WIU converted the two-point conversion to even the score at 15-15 at halftime.
WIU took its only lead of the game on a 46-yard field goal by Joe Lopez midway through the third quarter.
ISU responded with Straders third field goal of the game, an 27-yarder to even the score at 18-18 at the 8:01 mark of the fourth quarter.
The Redbirds added the winning score when Beshel scooped up a fumble forced by David Bull and lumbered 49 yards to paydirt, giving the Redbirds their only lead of the second half.
Watts shouldered the load for the Redbird offense, running for 174 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Burk struggled against the stubborn Leatherneck defense, completing 12-of-33 passes for 142 yards and two interceptions. Wayne Riley was Burks favorite target, hauling in four passes for 72 yards.
ISUs defense sacked Clemons 11 times and held the Leathernecks to only 73 yards on the ground. Freshman linebacker Andy Papoccia enjoyed the best day of his young career as he and Scott Cook tallied three sacks apiece. Galen Scott added 13 tackles and Ryan Szokola chipped in with 12.
The Redbirds return to action on November 11 when they host Eastern Illinois at Hancock Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
