Making their first appearance on the Illinois State campus, Florida Atlantic took advantage of a second half offensive surge to propel themselves to a 28-10 win over the Redbirds Saturday afternoon in front of 6,837 at Hancock Stadium.
Illinois State finished the non-conference part of their schedule with a 3-2 record, while Florida Atlantic, a Division I-AA Independent, moved to 3-2.
The Redbird defense picked up where they left off from a week ago as the unit did not allow a first down during their first two series.
Later in the first quarter, the defense continued their strong play as linebacker Gean Gilot recovered a Daveon Barron fumble at the ISU 44. The offense couldnt take advantage of the turnover however, and the score remained 0-0 after one quarter.
A strange turn of events happened early in the second quarter. Quarterback Mike Souza (13-of-39, 100 yards, TD, 2 INTs) completed a pass to Mike Larson at the Florida Atlantic 31. On the next play however, Souzas pass was tipped and intercepted by Chris Laskowski. But as Laskowski rushed down the left sidelines, Mike Stegeman stripped the ball and Stafford Davis recovered it at the ISU 34.
From there, the offense kicked it into gear as the Redbirds went on a 7-play, 66-yard drive, ending with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Souza to Larnt Robinson in the corner of the end zone. Robinsons fingertip scoring catch was the second touchdown of his career and it gave the Birds a 7-0 lead.
The Redbird defenses streak of 15-straight series without giving up a score ended with 6:21 left in the second quarter. Florida Atlantic tight end Anthony Crissinger-Hill (4 catches, 88 yards 2 TDS) hauled in a 67-yard touchdown pass from Jared Allen to tie the game 7-7.
Illinois State received a scare on the ensuing kickoff when LaShawn Bullock fumbled deep in Redbird territory, but Kevin Kreger prevented the disaster by recovering the ball at the ISU 17.
After a Redbird punt, FAU began another scoring drive, this time catching a break in the process when offensive lineman Chris Shepherd recovered a Barron fumble at the ISU 11. Two plays later, Allen again found Crissinger-Hill, this time in the right corner of the end zone. Crissinger-Hill caught the touchdown pass in double coverage to give his team a 14-7 lead.
ISU head coach Denver Johnson gambled on the Redbirds next series, deciding to go for it on fourth-and-1 at mid-field. Sha-Ron Edwards (17 carries, 98 yards) pounded his way through the middle for a first down to keep the drive alive.
The Redbird offense continued their 2-minute drill offense, eventually scoring off the leg of Stephen Carroll. Carrolls 47-yard field goal with six seconds left cut the FAU lead to 14-10 at halftime.
However, the Redbird offense couldnt carry the momentum from Carrolls field goal into the third quarter. Again, the defense rose to the challenge as Ray Robinson picked up his 15th career sack during Florida Atlantics second possession.
But the Owls managed another score on their third possession of the second half when Anthony Jackson scored a touchdown on a 9-yard run, making the score 21-10.
The Owls put the game away early in the fourth quarter when a roughing the passer penalty on ISU put Florida Atlantic at the Redbird 21. On the next play, Aaron Sanchez dashed 21 yards for an Owl touchdown and a 28-10 lead and the games final score.
The Redbirds open Gateway Conference play against Northern Iowa next Saturday at Hancock Stadium. Game time is slated for 1:30 p.m.
