Oct. 7, 2006
Final Stats
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -
Heading into Saturday's Gateway Football Conference opener at Western Kentucky, the No. 6 ranked Illinois State Redbirds were looking break a streak of five consecutive losses to the Hilltoppers. After five lead changes between the two squads, the Redbirds (4-1, 1-0 GFC) did just that and defeated WKU (2-3, 1-1 GFC), 28-27, at J.T. Smith Stadium. The win also marked the Redbirds' first conference opening road win in the Denver Johnson era.
The Hilltoppers put the first points on the scoreboard with 6:13 left in the first quarter. Placekicker Chris James converted on a 37-yard field goal and put the `Toppers up 3-0 and took that lead into the second quarter.
On the first play from scrimmage in the second quarter, Luke Drone connected with Laurént Robinson on a 43-yard reception to give the Redbirds a first-and-goal situation at the WKU two yard line. Two plays later, Rafael Rice dove into the end zone to put the Redbirds up 6-3. A Kevin Mazur extra point would then extend the ISU lead to four at 7-3 with 14:03 left in the first half.
However, WKU would answer quickly on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Justin Haddix to Curtis Hamilton and after a James extra point, the Hilltoppers re-took the lead at 10-7 with 11:56 left in the second quarter. WKU would then add to that lead on James' second field goal of the game, this time a 29-yard make, to extend the lead to 13-7 with 2:38 left in the half.
ISU would use that time wisely, as the `Birds drove 80 yards in nine plays in 2:05 to regain the lead. Garin Harcar was on the receiving end of a 1-yard touchdown pass from Drone and a Mazur extra point put the Redbirds up 14-13 with 22 seconds left in the half. The score would stay that way as the `Birds headed into the locker room with the one-point advantage at halftime.
The Redbirds came out and put up a quick score in the second half, driving 78 yards on nine plays taking 4:15 off the clock. Pierre Rembert scored the go-ahead touchdown from 12 yards out, his fifth rushing touchdown of the season, to put ISU up 20-13 with 10:38 left in the third quarter. Mazur's extra point conversion would then gave the `Birds an 8-point lead at 21-13.
On their next possession, the Hilltoppers answered with a touchdown of their own, courtesy of a one-yard touchdown run by Lerron Moore to cut the ISU lead to two and after the extra point conversion, the score was 21-20 in favor of ISU. WKU would later take the lead with 3:11 left in the third quarter on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Haddix to Hamilton. Following the extra point, the Hilltoppers lead was six points at 27-21.
In the fourth quarter, the Redbirds regained the lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Rembert, his second of the game, and tied the score at 27-27. Mazur's extra point would then put ISU up by one at 28-27, the fifth lead change of the game, with 10:40 left in the game.
After James missed an 19-yard field goal off the left upright, the Redbirds got the ball back with 4:03 left in the game and the `Birds ran out the clock to secure the 28-27 victory. Rembert finished the game with 142 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns while Drone was 12-of17 for 204 yards.
ISU returns to action next weekend against Southern Illinois on Homecoming 2006 at Illinois State. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. at Hancock Stadium.
