Illinois State had two shots at the end zone in the waning seconds of the game, but could not pull out the tying score as No. 19 Southwest Texas State held on for a 20-13 non-conference victory in I-AA football action at Hancock Stadium on Family Day.
Illinois State (0-4) quarterback Kevin Zouzounis had two shots at the end zone to tie the game in the final seconds, however, both attempts were batted away. Zouzounis first attempt, from mid-field, was knocked away in the right corner of the end zone as the final horn sounded, however, a defensive holding penalty gave the Birds one final shot from the 39-yard line which was also knocked to the ground.
With the win, No. 19 Southwest Texas State improves to 3-1 on the season.
In the first quarter, Southwest Texas State was stopped twice inside Illinois States 5-yard line and had to settle for field goals on its first two possessions to go up 6-0 on the Redbirds early.
An uncharacteristic interception for Kevin Zouzounis by Southwest Texas States Sterling Rogers in the end zone stopped a potential scoring opportunity for Illinois State late in the first quarter.
A big 35-yard run by Illinois States Quincy Washington put the Redbirds in field goal position for freshman kicker Steve Carroll, who brought ISU within 6-3 when he split the uprights from 27-yards out.
With 3:04 remaining in the first half, SWT quarterback Cody McCauley connected with Tyson Olivo for a 34-yard touchdown strike down the middle of the field to give the Bobcats a 13-3 at halftime.
The Redbirds wasted no time in the second half with a six-play, 80-yard romp that was capped by a 34-yard touchdown pass to Vito Golson from Zouzounis with 12:17 left in the third quarter.
Later in the third, the Redbirds tied the game at 13-13 with another field goal by Carroll, this time from 47-yards out. The attempt was the longest of Carrolls career.
Southwest Texas State missed an opportunity to take the lead when Justin Martinez sent a 41-yard field goal attempt wide left early in the fourth quarter. However, on their next possession, the Bobcats marched 61 yards down the field on 11 plays to take a 20-13 lead on a 2-yard run by Bronson Sanders with 6:02 left in the game.
ISU tried to respond, but Zouzounis was picked off by Donnie Baker at the Bobcat 28-yard line on the Birds ensuing drive. Baker returned the interception to the 50-yard line.
Zouzounis threw for 269 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice. Vito Golson led the receivers with four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown while Mike Andreacchi added 64 yards on five receptions.
Willie Watts, ISUs leading rusher, was held to only 48 yards on 24 carries. Quincy Washington chipped in with 47 yards on six carries and Zouzounis rushed four times for 27 yards.
For the Bobcats, Bronson Sanders had 132 rushing yards and a touchdown. Freshman Cody McCauley threw for 204 yards and a touchdown.
Illinois State heads to Southern Illinois to face the Salukis next Saturday in their first Gateway match-up of the season.
