Vito Golson and Quincy Washington each scored a touchdown in the final game of their careers to help the Illinois State football team come from behind to beat Indiana State, 20-12, Saturday in front of 2,652 people in frigid conditions at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Ind.
The Redbirds spoiled the Sycamores senior day with the victory and ended the season 6-5, 4-3 in the Gateway while Indiana State falls to 5-7 and 3-4 on the year. Golson ended the game with seven catches and 136 receiving yards while Washington rushed for 74 yards. It was Golsons fifth 100-yard receiving game under head coach Denver Johnson and his third of the year. Every member of the Redbird traveling team recorded playing time in the win.
A scoreless game through the first quarter, the Sycamores jumped to an early six-point lead in the second when Soso Dede rushed for his second touchdown of the year, a three-yard scurry. Indiana State kicker Mike Megyesi (22-26) couldnt connect on the extra point effort, missing his fourth PAT of the year.
Up by six, the Indiana State offense continued to take charge when QB Julian Reese connected with Chris Lewis on a five-yard pass at the 6:52 mark. Going for the two-point conversion, Reeses pass was intended for Tommy Signars in the endzone, but it sailed through his fingers, leaving the score at 12-0.
The Redbirds managed to get points on the board before the half after Stephen Carroll hit his 12th field goal of the year with 45 seconds on the clock. After two complete passes from Mike Souza to Golson for a gain of 29 yards, the Birds were in scoring position on the eight yard line but on the third down, Souzas pass into scoring territory was out of Golsons reach. Golson finished the season and his career with 29 consecutive games with a catch as Illinois State trailed 12-3 after 30 minutes of play.
Illinois State came back in the third to score its ninth TD of the year on the road. With five minutes left in the third quarter, a 25-yard completion from Kevin Zouzounis, who replaced Souza, to Golson set up a 15-yard pass for the Redbirds, pulling Illinois State to within two of the Sycamores, 12-10, after Carroll scored the extra point.
The Birds got a break with 1:31 remaining in the third after a forced fumble on Reese by Stuart Sands was recovered by Illinois States Mike Blough, As the time expired and the fourth quarter ensued, Washington pushed through the Sycamore line for a crucial first down and four plays later rushed for a seven-yard run at the 13-minute mark to give Illinois State its first lead of the game. It was Washingtons 16th career TD and ninth of the season.
Up 17-12 after Carroll made good on his PAT, the score held until 4:26 was left on the clock and Carroll kicked a 32-yard field goal that helped secure the Redbird victory, cushioning the lead to 20-12. It was the third time this season the Redbirds have trailed at halftime and come back to win and the second road victory for the Birds in 2002.
With the upset over the Sycamores, Illinois State guaranteed at least a .500 record for the fourth time in the last five years.
