Oct. 21, 2006
Final Stats
MACOMB, Ill. -
Final Stats
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MACOMB, Ill. - Third-ranked Illinois State exorcised its personal demons against Western Illinois as senior Pierre Rembert led the Redbirds with 230 yards rushing, on 39 carries, and two touchdowns in a 27-14 victory over the Leathernecks at Hanson Field on Saturday. The victory for ISU snapped a five-game losing streak against WIU and extended the `Birds season winning streak to six games, tying the longest streak in the Denver Johnson era accomplished back in 2000.
The victory improved the Redbirds record to 6-1 on the season and kept ISU unbeaten in the Gateway Football Conference at 3-0. The loss dropped Western Illinois to 3-5 overall and 0-4 in the Gateway.
Rembert's running was once again the story for the `Birds as he surpassed the 200-yard rushing mark for the second time in his career. The Milwaukee, Wis., native rushed for over 100 yards for the seventh time this season, extending his own school-record. Rembert's 230 yards on the ground also put him over 1,000 on the season for the first time in his career.
WIU took the early 7-0 lead by scoring on the first drive of the game. The Leathernecks moved the ball 64 yards on six plays, capping off the drive with a touchdown rush by wide receiver Marco Thomas on an 18-yard end-around.
The Redbirds responded by scoring on their second drive of the first quarter. Sophomore kicker Kevin Mazur finished off a 9-play, 46-yard drive, by kicking his season-best 37-yard field goal to put the `Birds on the scoreboard at 7-3.
Determined to not give up the momentum following the field goal, Western Illinois proceeded to march down the field on a 13-play, 72-yard drive, which culminated with fullback J.J. Payne's 1-yard plunge with 13:35 remaining in the half to put the `Necks up 14-3. The 11-point deficit marked the largest for the Redbirds this season.
The deficit for the Redbirds was short lived as they closed out the first half scoring 14 unanswered points. Rembert scored his eighth touchdown of the season from one yard out with 7:49 remaining and Luke Drone connected with tight end Dave Mordis on a 15-yard touchdown, the second of his career, with 1:30 left in the half to give ISU the 17-14 lead.
The start of the second half saw the `Birds extend their lead to 20-14 with a 20-yard field goal. The field goal was set up by Rembert's 56-yard run on third-and-37 following a bad snap to Drone in the shot gun on second down.
Rembert continued his rushing onslaught scoring the final touchdown for the Redbirds with 4:23 left in the third quarter on his second 1-yard scamper.
Illinois State returns to action next Saturday at Hancock Stadium as the Redbirds celebrate Family Weekend against No. 5 Youngstown State. Kick-off against the Penguins is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Kevin Mazur's 37-yard field goal at the 4:19 mark of the first quarter was his longest of the season. He added another field goal to start the third quarter, but missed one in the fourth and he is now 9-for-13 on the season.
Pierre Rembert's first rush in the second quarter moved the senior running back into 11th place among ISU's career rushing leaders. He surpassed Quincy Washington (1,637) and now has 1,843 rushing yards for his career.
Rembert scored his eighth and ninth touchdowns of the season and now has 21 on his career.
With 126 yards passing in the first half, quarterback Luke Drone surpassed former Redbird Dusty Burk (4,378) for third place on the ISU career passing charts. He finished the game with 4,531 career passing yards.
Dave Mordis' touchdown reception at the 1:30 mark in the second quarter was his first TD catch of the season and the second of his career. The touchdown pass was Drone's 13 of the season and the 35th of his career (which ranks No. 4 in ISU history).
Rembert finished with 230-yards rushing, giving the Redbird senior a 100-yard rushing performance in every game this season and extended his school record consecutive 100-yard rushing games to seven. It was his highest rushing total this season and his second 200-yard rushing game of his career. His rushing total is the ninth highest single-game total in ISU history.
With his 230 rushing yards, Rembert went over 1,000 yards for the season. He now has 1,042 yards on the year, which ranks No. 10 in school history.
Rembert's 56-yard rush on the third-and-37 draw play was his longest run gain of the season.
Niall Campbell and Tom Nelson's fourth quarter interceptions now give Illinois State 12 on the season, two more than last year's total. Campbell's interception was the second of his career and first of the season, while Nelson's pick was the fourth of the season and his career.
TEAM NOTES:
Western Illinois' touchdown on its opening drive of the game marked the second time this season an ISU opponent scored a touchdown on its initial drive. Eastern Illinois scored a TD on its first drive on Sept. 16.
When WIU scored its second touchdown to go ahead 14-3, it marked the largest deficit for the Redbirds this season.
Illinois State's victory marks the fourth straight road Gateway Football Conference victory, which is the longest streak the Redbirds have had since joining the league in 1985.
The Redbirds have now won six straight games, equaling Denver Johnson's previous high at the Redbird helm, when ISU won six straight during the 2000 season.
With today's win, ISU has beaten Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Western Illinois in the same season for the first time since 2000.
The victory today snaps Illinois State's five-game losing streak against Western Illinois. This was ISU's first win in Macomb since 2000.
The Redbirds rushing total of 244 is the most rushing yards by ISU this season and the second straight 200-yard team rushing performance.
