The quarterback decision did not get any easier for Illinois State head coach Denver Johnson in the Redbirds final tune-up before their season opener at Division 1-A Western Michigan on August 30th as Dusty Burk and Kevin Zouzounis looked equally impressive at the controls of the ISU offense.
The preseason favorite at quarterback, Burk, proved to be the man with the eye for accuracy, going 7-for-8 with 111 yards in the 30-minute controlled first half. While newcomer Zouzounis threw for the games only passing touchdown, connecting with senior wide-out Wayne Riley who out fought Otis Spates on a 75-yard touchdown strike. Zouzounis finished 4-for-9 the first half with 110 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.
Riley led all receivers with three catches for 132 yards. Mark Schaeve also emerged as a reliable target with two catches for 42 yards. Also, contributing in the Birds deep corps of receivers were Vito Golson who notched two catches for 24 yards and Jon Laurenti with one catch for 30 yards.
The Birds own version of thunder and lightning saw Willie Watts rush seven times for 33 yards, while University of Illinois transfer Quincy Washington also had seven carries for 23 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown scamper.
Defensively, the Birds were led in tackles by sophomore defensive end Ray Robinson with four stops, including two solo. Greg Helle, Otis Spates, Gean Gilot, and Randolph Waite also contributed three tackles apiece.
Dusty and Kevin are neck-and-neck. They both did some good things, Johnson said, but theyre both fouling some things up.
At some point in time, one of them will separate himself from the other and earn the starting nod, Johnson added.
Johnson also expressed concern regarding his teams health. Especially defensive tackles David Bull and Tejuan Hartley and linebacker Tim Beshel.
The Redbirds head into their August 30th match-up with Western Michigan ranked No. 16 in both the Sports Network and ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Preseason polls.
