Despite leading for three quarters Saturday against Western Illinois, the Illinois State football team allowed a go-ahead touchdown with 57 seconds left as the Redbirds dropped a 24-20 decision Saturday in front of 8,415 at Hancock Stadium.
The win moves Western Illinois to 6-3 on the season, 3-2 in the Gateway, while Illinois State dropped to 4-6, 1-4 in the Gateway.
Quarterback Russ Michna connected with Reggie Gray on a key fourth down conversion with 3 minutes to go in the game, setting up the go-ahead score. Gray was tackled at the Illinois State 15, eventually leading to a one-yard scoring run by Michna.
On the Leathernecks first three possessions, running back Travis Glasford (26 carries, 160 yards) amassed 96 yards rushing on only nine carries. His 47-yard run midway through the first quarter set up a Justin Langan 19-yard field goal..
A 25-yard punt return by Gray and a 30-yard run by Glasford on Western Illinois next possession looked to set up another field goal by Langan. However, a high snap slipped through the holders hands, and Langan had to make the most of the situation, scooping the ball up and throwing it to a wide open Chad Daun for a nine-yard touchdown reception and a 10-0 lead.
The Redbirds got on the board early in the second quarter on a 20-yard field goal by Stephen Carroll. However, one play earlier, Steve Statz dropped a potential touchdown pass from Mike Souza, forcing the Redbirds to settle for three.
After a Ryan Hoffman punt pinned the Leathernecks deep in their own territory, defensive end Ray Robinson gave his team the momentum when he came around end and stripped the ball away from Michna. Robinson recovered the ball at the Leatherneck 3, giving the Redbirds a golden opportunity to tie the game.
They took advantage of the opportunity as Sha-Ron Edwards (20 carries, 52 yards) scored from three yards out, tying the game 10-10 with 4:08 left in the first half.
The Leathernecks turned the ball over again on their next possession. This time Antwan Oliver stripped the ball away from Glasford and Cavari Dailey recovered it at the Western Illinois 32.
Souza then connected with Dwayne Smith on a 32-yard touchdown pass, making the score 17-10, as the Redbirds scored 14 points in 1:02.
The Birds caught two more breaks when a face mask and a personal foul penalty by Western Illinois moved the ball down to the Leatherneck 28, setting up a 20-yard Carroll field goal, putting the Redbirds up 20-10 with one second left in the half.
Cerone Colvin was the next Redbird to make a big play when he broke up Michnas pass on a key fourth down possession early in the third quarter.
But Western Illinois then made a big play on special teams when Hoffman was tackled at the Redbird 27 as he lined up to punt.
That play set up a four-yard scoring run by Attley Lawson, cutting the Illinois State lead to 20-17.
Game Notes
Dwayne Smith has caught a pass in every game of his Redbird career. His catch in the first quarter was the 21st straight game he has caught a pass, the third longest streak in school history.
Western Illinois running back Travis Glasford rushed for 96 yards in the first quarter.
The Redbirds scored two touchdowns in a span of 1:02 during the second quarter.
Lee Russells interception in the fourth quarter was Western Illinois first INT of the season.
