It had been 18 years since an Illinois State football player had run a punt back for a touchdown, but Joe Walkins 52-yard punt return for a score in the fourth quarter gave the Redbirds the go ahead touchdown, leading to a 30-24 win over Youngstown State on Homecoming.
The Redbirds move to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Gateway and will play Western Kentucky on the road next Saturday.
It didnt take long for the Redbirds to get on the board as LaShawn Bullock drove through the Youngstown State kick-off coverage team for a 97-yard touchdown run on the opening kick-off.
The Penguins tied the game at 7-7 on their opening drive as Tom Zetts 27-yard touchdown pass sailed into the hands of Mike Roberts after the ball was initially tipped by a Redbird defender.
After a Yance Vaughan (14-31, 166-yards, TD, INT) interception, the Redbirds were penalized on a personal foul and a facemask, which placed Youngstown States offense at the ISU 23-yard line, leading to a 19-yard field goal by Penguin kicker Brian Palmer for a 10-7 lead.
With 7:36 left in the first half Vaughan completed a touchdown pass to Mike Larson, giving the Redbirds a 14-10 lead. The score was set up three plays earlier when Kevett Mickle (four catches, 93-yards) made a leaping grab on third and long.
Youngstown State regained the lead after a mishap on special teams. Illinois State punter Ryan Hoffman fumbled deep in Redbird territory after the snap sailed over his head. Two plays later Zetts connected with Demetrius Ison from 3-yards out for a 17-14 lead.
Two Carroll field goals put the Birds up 20-17, but Youngstown States 8-play, 80-yard drive resulted in a 13-yard touchdown run by Josh Cayson, giving the Penguins a 24-20 lead going into the fourth quarter. Cayson gained all 80-yards of the drive on the ground.
Walkins punt return gave the Birds a 27-24 lead and Carrolls 31-yard field goal after an Alex Filin interception resulted in the games final score. Illinois States Brian Thompson led all rushers with 222 yards on 37 carries.
Game Notes:
LaShawn Bullocks 97-yard touchdown run on the opening kick-off was the first kick-off return for a touchdown since Aveion Casons 100-yard return against Western Illinois on November 6, 1999.
Brian Thompson was the first Redbird to rush for over 150-yards in three straight games since Willie Watts did so from November 4 to November 18, 2000.
Joe Walkins 52-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was the first since Warren Calhouns 62-yard return against SMS on September 6, 1986.
